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2026 Best Registered Nursing Schools in Arizona

30 Colleges in the United States
9,465 Registered Nursing Degrees Awarded
$78,329 Avg Early-Career Salary

Registered Nursing degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best registered nursing schools.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Registered Nursing in Arizona

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the registered nursing degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Registered Nursing

1

University Of Arizona is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in registered nursing. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 367 registered nursing degrees were awarded at University Of Arizona in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from University Of Arizona earn around $96,470 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at University Of Arizona

2

Arizona State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in registered nursing, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Tempe. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Arizona State University awarded about 544 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Arizona State University earn around $96,796 in the first couple years of their career. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $26,750 in student loans. Read more about the registered nursing program at Arizona State University

3

Pima Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tucson. There were roughly 149 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Pima Community College earn around $73,629 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,500. See the full registered nursing program report for Pima Community College

4

Students looking for a strong registered nursing program will find one at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 405 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $88,824 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,276. Get the full registered nursing details for Northern Arizona University

5

Gateway Community College Phoenix is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in registered nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Gateway Community College Phoenix awarded about 223 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Gateway Community College Phoenix earn a median of $74,062 early in their careers. Gateway Community College Phoenix graduates carry a median of $21,225 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Gateway Community College Phoenix

6

Arizona State University Skysong earned the #6 position for registered nursing this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Scottsdale. There were roughly 490 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University Skysong in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $78,180 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Arizona State University Skysong

7

Grand Canyon University placed #7 among the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit institution. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. Grand Canyon University awarded about 4,096 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $115,226 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Grand Canyon University

8

Glendale Community College Glendale Az landed the #8 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public institution. About 184 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Glendale Community College Glendale Az in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Glendale Community College Glendale Az earn around $75,418 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,741 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Glendale Community College Glendale Az

9

Mesa Community College earned the #9 position for registered nursing this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. About 219 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Mesa Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Mesa Community College earn around $73,639 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Mesa Community College

10

Mohave Community College landed the #10 spot for registered nursing this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. There were roughly 154 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Mohave Community College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $73,774 early in their careers. Mohave Community College graduates carry a median of $17,812 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Mohave Community College

11

University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #11 among the best registered nursing schools. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates 16% of students within six years. University Of Phoenix Arizona awarded about 535 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of University Of Phoenix Arizona earn a median of $111,973 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,235. See the full registered nursing program report for University Of Phoenix Arizona

12

Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona earned the #12 position for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a small private for-profit institution. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 225 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona generally make around $83,188. Students borrow a median of $39,146 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona

13
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

Cochise College landed the #13 spot for registered nursing this year. Cochise College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sierra Vista. About 63 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Cochise College in the most recent year. Registered Nursing graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $69,412 early in their careers. Cochise College graduates carry a median of $10,339 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Cochise College

14

Carrington College Mesa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Mesa. About 90 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Carrington College Mesa in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,515 in their early career. Carrington College Mesa graduates carry a median of $32,969 in student loans. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Carrington College Mesa

15
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best registered nursing schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. Phoenix College awarded about 96 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Phoenix College earn around $72,843 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,937. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Phoenix College

16

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #16 for registered nursing this year. Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public school located in the city of Chandler. There were roughly 77 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Chandler Gilbert Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Chandler Gilbert Community College earn around $67,572 in the first couple years of their career. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates carry a median of $22,806 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Chandler Gilbert Community College

17

Central Arizona College landed the #17 spot for registered nursing this year. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. Central Arizona College awarded about 50 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $70,026 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Central Arizona College

18

Northland Pioneer College came in at #18 for registered nursing this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the rural area of Holbrook. There were roughly 37 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Northland Pioneer College in the most recent data year. Registered Nursing graduates of Northland Pioneer College earn a median of $71,105 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $11,601 to complete this degree. Get the full registered nursing details for Northland Pioneer College

19

Scottsdale Community College earned the #19 position for registered nursing this year. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. About 88 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Scottsdale Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Scottsdale Community College earn around $73,683 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,230. Read more about the registered nursing program at Scottsdale Community College

20

Eastern Arizona College placed #20 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. Eastern Arizona College awarded about 69 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, registered nursing degree recipients from Eastern Arizona College generally make around $70,074. Students borrow a median of $6,781 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Eastern Arizona College

21
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

Yavapai College placed #21 among the best registered nursing schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. About 92 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Yavapai College in the most recent year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Yavapai College earn around $74,560 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in registered nursing from Yavapai College

22

Paradise Valley Community College earned the #22 position for registered nursing this year. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. There were roughly 81 registered nursing students who graduated with this degree at Paradise Valley Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $71,136 in their early career. Paradise Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full registered nursing program report for Paradise Valley Community College

23

Carrington College Phoenix landed the #23 spot for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Carrington College Phoenix is a small private for-profit institution. Carrington College Phoenix awarded about 73 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Carrington College Phoenix earn around $76,515 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Carrington College Phoenix

24

Carrington College Tucson came in at #24 for registered nursing this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Carrington College Tucson is a small private for-profit institution. About 73 registered nursing degrees were awarded at Carrington College Tucson in the most recent year. Graduates of the registered nursing program make about $76,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete this degree. See the full registered nursing program report for Carrington College Tucson

25

Estrella Mountain Community College placed #25 among the best registered nursing schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Avondale. Estrella Mountain Community College awarded about 69 registered nursing degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their registered nursing degree from Estrella Mountain Community College earn around $78,359 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $34,003 to complete this degree. Read more about the registered nursing program at Estrella Mountain Community College

Rest of the Top 33 Registered Nursing Schools

These schools also placed among the best for registered nursing this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33

View All Registered Nursing Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 34 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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