2026 Best Nursing Schools in Tucson

Registerednursing.org is creating rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Tucson to help students identify top programs that align with their career goals. These rankings are based solely on NCLEX pass rates, providing a clear metric for evaluating school performance. For more details on how we compile these rankings, visit our methodology page: https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

No data available for yearly pass rate trends in Tucson.

Yearly Nursing Graduates

No data available for yearly nursing graduates in Tucson.

Top Performing Schools

No data available for top performing schools in Tucson.

Pass Rate by Program Size

No data available for pass rate by program size in Tucson.

Consistently High Performing Schools

No data available for consistently high performing schools in Tucson.

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ - Public 4-Year - arizona.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Tucson provides a comprehensive 24-month conventional pathway with summers off, blending advanced technology, practical simulations, and clinical experiences. This campus-based program requires meeting academic prerequisites for admission, though specific ACT or SAT exam requirements should be verified on the admissions page. With a 95.93% NCLEX pass rate in 2024, graduates demonstrate strong preparedness for licensure. The program is accredited by CCNE and offers supportive faculty, preparing students for diverse nursing roles with high starting salary potential.

  • 93% NCLEX pass rate.
  • High starting salary.
  • 24-month conventional pathway.
  • 15-16 month accelerated pathway.
  • Blend of technology and clinical experiences.
  • Options in Tucson or Gilbert.
  • Supportive faculty.
  • Accredited by CCNE.
  • Focus on integrative health.
  • Diverse nursing roles preparation.

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Integrative Health)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Arizona's Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an Integrative Health concentration offers a unique 15-16 month accelerated, hybrid program in Tucson that combines online and in-person learning. This program blends traditional nursing education with integrative health principles, focusing on holistic patient care. Admission requires meeting academic prerequisites; applicants should check the admissions page for ACT or SAT requirements. The program's 95.93% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 reflects excellent preparation for licensure, and graduates are equipped for diverse healthcare settings with strong starting salaries.

  • Integrative Health concentration
  • 15-16 month accelerated program
  • Hybrid online and in-person learning
  • High NCLEX pass rate
  • Strong starting salaries
  • Located in Tucson, AZ
  • Focus on holistic patient care
  • Comprehensive nursing education
  • Prepares for diverse healthcare settings
  • Meets academic prerequisites for admission
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#2

Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson

Tucson, AZ - Private 4-year - arizonacollege.edu

Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson offers a CCNE-accredited 3-Year BSN program that requires no prerequisite coursework, allowing students to begin nursing studies immediately. This campus-based program emphasizes hands-on learning through state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical rotations with Arizona healthcare partners. While the program does not require ACT or SAT entrance exams, it prepares graduates effectively for the NCLEX-RN, with pass rates ranging from 88.89% to 94.07% between 2022-2024. Evening general education classes and scholarships up to $5,000 provide flexibility and financial support for aspiring registered nurses.

  • 3-Year BSN program
  • No prerequisite coursework
  • CCNE-accredited
  • Evening classes available
  • Hands-on labs and clinical rotations
  • Scholarships up to $5,000
  • NCLEX-RN exam prep
  • Flexible start dates
  • Accredited by ABHES
  • Evening general education classes
#3

Carrington College-Tucson

Tucson, AZ - Private 2-year - carrington.edu

Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Carrington College-Tucson's campus-based Associate Degree in Nursing program prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on clinical experience. This entry-level program requires a high school diploma or GED for admission, with an entrance exam typically needed. The curriculum emphasizes practical patient care skills, medical procedures, and healthcare ethics. Recent NCLEX pass rates show improvement, reaching 94.64% in 2024. The program is military-friendly and offers financial aid options for eligible students seeking to begin their nursing careers.

  • Campus-based program
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
  • Hands-on clinical experience
  • High school diploma required
  • Financial aid available

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

Online Learning - Visit Website

This online RN to BSN program at Carrington College-Tucson is designed for licensed registered nurses seeking career advancement. The CCNE-accredited program can be completed in as few as 15 months, focusing on developing leadership skills, evidence-based practice, and advanced clinical decision-making. As a post-licensure program, no entrance exam is required for admission. The flexible online format accommodates working RNs, with financial aid available for qualifying students. This program enhances professional opportunities while maintaining the practical focus needed for modern nursing practice.

  • Online post-licensure program
  • Complete in 15 months
  • Advanced nursing skills development
  • CCNE accredited program
  • Designed for working RNs
Show 1 More Programs ˅
#4

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

Tucson, AZ - Private 4-year - pmi.edu

Associate - Associate Degree Nursing

Campus Based - Visit Website

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson offers an Associate Degree Nursing program that prepares students for RN licensure through a 20-month campus-based curriculum. This fast-track program emphasizes hands-on clinical training in areas like anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and patient care. As a bachelor's-level program, it requires ACT or SAT entrance exams. The program's NCLEX pass rates show strong performance, with 93.55% in 2023 and 87.27% in 2022, though it dipped to 83.87% in 2024. Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam, with the program providing comprehensive preparation through its structured coursework and practical experience.

  • 20-month program length
  • On-campus delivery method
  • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
  • Hands-on training included
  • Financial aid available
  • Comprehensive nursing education
  • Eligible for RN licensure
  • Covers anatomy and physiology
  • Includes pharmacology studies
  • Patient care training
*Official data: NCES IPEDS 2024 dataset. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Tucson, AZ

If you are interested in pursuing a career in nursing but do not have any prior healthcare experience, an entry-level nursing program is a place to start. These programs, which include the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN), the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and the direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs, provide nurses with the nursing theory and practices needed to pass the licensing exam and secure their first nursing job.

ADN Programs

ADN programs generally take around two years to complete and are offered at community colleges, vocational schools, and some medical centers. Students will learn basic nursing principles with coursework in human anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, and general nursing principles and best practices. Pima Community College offers a 40-credit hour program that can be completed in 5 to 6 semesters of study.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

Students new to nursing may also choose to enter the profession through a bachelor's level education program. Compared with the ADN degree, a BSN program provides a more in-depth introduction to nursing, which generally takes longer to complete and includes additional coursework in nursing research, management and leadership topics, and public health. The University of Arizona offers a traditional BSN program that includes coursework on general topics including statistics, English composition, and chemistry in addition to nursing-specific coursework and is completed over four years.

Learn more about Arizona Accelerated BSN Programs.

Direct-Entry MSN Programs

Many professionals are entering the nursing field after working in another industry or area of healthcare, and an accelerated or direct-entry MSN program may be a good fit for these students. A direct-entry MSN program is designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field and provides them with an accelerated pathway to a master’s degree in nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing for Entry to the Profession program at the University of Arizona is a 15-month intensive program that prepares students for careers as hospital nurses, school nurses, home health, and assisted living facility nurses.

Learn more about Arizona Accelerated MSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Tucson, AZ

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tucson, AZ

In order to meet the demand for nurses with advanced degrees, many registered nurses are considering going back to school to gain experience in an advanced practice career such as nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and nurse administrator. Advanced practice degrees available in the Tucson area include several found at the University of Arizona.

Post-Master’s Certificate Programs

Post-master’s certificate programs allow masters educated nurses to learn a new specialty without duplicating any of their previous master’s courses. The University of Arizona offers four masters-level certificates in four nurse practitioner areas. Each certificate is delivered online over four semesters.

Learn more about Arizona Post-Master's Certificate Programs

DNP & Ph.D. Programs

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of nursing practice education available in the U.S. Coursework includes principles of evidence-based practice, quality improvement, healthcare policy, healthcare systems, and leadership. The University of Arizona offers DNP students the choice of one of the following specialty tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Informatics, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesiology.

Nurses interested in careers in research and academia may consider pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing degree. The University of Arizona offers a Ph.D. program that is offered online on a full-time or part-time basis and allows students to focus on research in clinical, academic or scientific environments.

Learn more about Arizona DNP Programs.

List of APRN (MSN, DNP, & NP) Programs in Tucson

If you're looking for advanced nursing programs in Tucson, you can explore several options. The table below lists schools offering APRN programs, including MSN, DNP, and NP degrees. It shows each school's location, key program features, and direct links to their program pages. This helps you compare choices and find the right fit for your career goals in nursing.

Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

  • MSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 70 total credit hours
    • $1,053 per credit cost
    • Hybrid program format
    • Ranked #31 nursing school
    • Full and part-time options
    • Practice-focused doctoral program
    • For RNs with BSN/MSN
    • On-campus clinical intensives
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 69 total credits required
    • Cost per credit: $1,053
    • Hybrid program delivery
    • Ranked #31 Nursing Schools
    • Post-BSN and post-MSN entry
    • Clinical practicum included
    • Three on-campus intensives
    • Part-time study available
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid online/on-campus program
    • 35 total credit requirement
    • $1,053 per credit cost
    • BSN or MSN entry paths
    • Top 1% higher education institution
    • Multiple clinical specialties
    • Optional DNP/MPH dual degree
    • Three on-campus clinical immersions
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Hybrid online/on-campus program
    • 68 total credits required
    • $1,053 per credit cost
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Practice-focused doctoral program
    • Top 1% higher education institution
    • Medication prescription training
    • Comprehensive clinical skills development
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 2.5-3.5 Year Program
    • Hybrid Learning Format
    • 69 Total Credit Hours
    • 720 Clinical Practice Hours
    • 60 Average Cohort Size
    • Online Coursework Option
    • Post-BSN and Post-Master's Entry
    • CCNE Accredited Program
  • MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice

    Concentration: Post-Master's DNP - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • Fully online with one intensive campus experience
    • 35 total credit hours
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • For certified advanced practice nurses
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Average cohort size of 10 students
    • Residential Intensive Summer Experience (RISE)
    • Advanced practice nurse preparation
  • MSN to DNP - Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP

    Concentration: Executive Health Systems Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 50 total program credits
    • Cost per credit $1,053
    • Top 1% Higher Education Institution
    • #31 Best Nursing Schools DNP
    • 1,000 practicum hours required
    • Hybrid program format
    • Designed for working professionals
    • Prepares for executive nursing roles
  • MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 2.5-3.5 years program length
    • 65 total credit hours
    • 720 clinical practice hours
    • Hybrid program delivery
    • Online with campus intensives
    • 10 average cohort size
    • Post-BSN and post-master's entry
    • CCNE accredited program
  • MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

    Online & Campus Based - Website

    • 67 total credits required
    • Hybrid program format
    • Cost per credit: $1,053
    • Top 19 DNP Program
    • Prescribing medication training
    • Full-time and part-time options
    • Mental health assessment skills
    • Clinical experience included
*Source: IPEDS 2024, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Tucson, AZ

If you want to become a nurse in Tucson, Arizona, you have many options. This list shows nursing schools near Tucson, AZ. It includes each school's location, key program details, and links to learn more. You can find programs that fit your needs, whether you are starting your career or advancing it. Explore the table below to see what each school offers and visit their pages for full information.

Tucson, AZ

Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson

  • Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 3-Year BSN program
    • No prerequisite coursework
    • CCNE-accredited
    • Evening classes available
    • Hands-on labs and clinical rotations
    • Scholarships up to $5,000
    • NCLEX-RN exam prep
    • Flexible start dates

Carrington College-Tucson

  • Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • Campus-based program
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN
    • Hands-on clinical experience
    • High school diploma required
    • Financial aid available
  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)

    Online Learning - Website

    • Online post-licensure program
    • Complete in 15 months
    • Advanced nursing skills development
    • CCNE accredited program
    • Designed for working RNs

Pima Medical Institute-Tucson

  • Associate - Associate Degree Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 20-month program length
    • On-campus delivery method
    • Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
    • Hands-on training included
    • Financial aid available
    • Comprehensive nursing education
    • Eligible for RN licensure
    • Covers anatomy and physiology

University of Arizona

  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Campus Based - Website

    • 93% NCLEX pass rate.
    • High starting salary.
    • 24-month conventional pathway.
    • 15-16 month accelerated pathway.
    • Blend of technology and clinical experiences.
    • Options in Tucson or Gilbert.
    • Supportive faculty.
    • Accredited by CCNE.
  • Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

    Concentration: Integrative Health - Campus Based - Website

    • Integrative Health concentration
    • 15-16 month accelerated program
    • Hybrid online and in-person learning
    • High NCLEX pass rate
    • Strong starting salaries
    • Located in Tucson, AZ
    • Focus on holistic patient care
    • Comprehensive nursing education
*Data sourced from: NCES IPEDS survey, 2024. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/