Nursing Programs in Tucson, AZ
A career in nursing offers individuals a myriad of job opportunities and opportunities for career advancement, but knowing where to start can be confusing. Which nursing program is right for you? Keep reading for information about the options for nursing education in the Tucson area, from entry-level programs for those new to nursing to advanced practice nursing programs for nurses who want to grow their skill set.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Tucson
Rankings help prospective nursing students compare programs based on objective criteria, simplifying the search for quality education. For our Best Nursing Schools in Tucson rankings, Registerednursing.org analyzes NCLEX pass rates as the sole ranking criterion, ensuring a data-driven perspective. This methodology highlights programs that effectively prepare students for licensure and practice. Learn more about our approach: https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/
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 (BSN) program stands out as the top-ranked nursing program in Arizona. Students can choose between a conventional Tucson pathway or an accelerated Integrative Health emphasis in Gilbert, which blends evidence-based care with whole-person wellness. The curriculum combines rigorous coursework with over 600 hours of hands-on clinical experience in state-of-the-art simulation labs and real hospital settings. Innovative virtual reality scenarios develop clinical judgment, while personalized feedback from faculty mentors builds confidence. Graduates achieve a 93% first-time NCLEX pass rate and enter a high-demand field with strong earning potential. The program’s strong ties to Arizona’s leading healthcare systems and a network of over 10,000 alumni provide outstanding career preparation. Whether in Tucson or Gilbert, students receive a comprehensive education focused on the art and science of nursing, preparing them to become compassionate leaders in person-centered healthcare.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 93% licensure pass rate
- $88K High Starting Salary
- 600 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Top nursing program in Arizona
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Virtual reality experiences
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Integrative Health)
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an Integrative Health emphasis at the University of Arizona prepares you for a nursing career with a holistic approach. Offered at the Gilbert campus, this accelerated hybrid program combines online coursework with in-person learning, allowing you to graduate in as few as 15 months. The curriculum blends evidence-based nursing with whole-person wellness, addressing mental, physical, and spiritual health. You'll also learn nurse self-care strategies to sustain a long, fulfilling career. Through over 600 hours of clinical experience at top Arizona hospitals and state-of-the-art simulation labs, you'll develop critical thinking and compassion. Graduates are prepared to lead in diverse healthcare settings, with a high first-time NCLEX pass rate and strong starting salaries. Ranked #1 in Arizona, this CCNE-accredited program offers a supportive community and personalized faculty mentorship.
- CCNE accredited
- Complete in 15-16 months
- 93% licensure pass rate
- $88,000 median earnings
- 600 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Hybrid online and in-person learning
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Clinical partnerships with top hospitals
- Whole-person wellness focus
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson
Tucson, AZ - Private 4-year - arizonacollege.edu
Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Arizona College of Nursing's Tucson campus is designed to prepare you for a career as a registered nurse in just three years. With no prerequisite coursework required, you can jump right into nursing classes. The curriculum blends classroom teaching, hands-on lab simulations, and real-world clinical rotations, covering subjects like human pathophysiology, pharmacology, community health, and maternal nursing. From day one, you'll also receive dedicated NCLEX-RN exam preparation. The program offers flexible scheduling with evening general education classes and online courses for non-clinical work, making it easier to balance school with your busy life. Small class sizes and personalized attention from experienced faculty create a supportive learning environment. With CCNE accreditation and a 92% job placement rate within six months of passing the NCLEX, graduates are well-prepared to enter the nursing field. Multiple start dates throughout the year mean you can begin your nursing journey on your terms.
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- 3-Year program
- 6 start dates per year
- Asynchronous online classes
- 92% job placement rate
- 2.8 GPA minimum
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Financial aid available
Carrington College-Tucson
Tucson, AZ - Private 2-year - carrington.edu
Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
Campus Based - Visit Website
Carrington College-Tucson offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program designed to prepare students for registered nursing careers. The curriculum includes pharmacology, maternal child nursing, medical surgical nursing, and community and mental health nursing. Students benefit from multiple supervised clinical rotations and simulation-based learning labs, building practical skills in patient assessment, care planning, and clinical procedures. The program is ACEN accredited and prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Completion takes as few as 23 months. Financial aid, scholarships, and military benefits are available. Students develop competencies in communication, teamwork, and patient education through hands-on practice in diverse healthcare environments. The supportive learning environment includes faculty guidance and academic resources. Graduates are ready for roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings.
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 23-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Multiple supervised clinical rotations
- Simulation-based learning labs
Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Online Learning - Visit Website
Designed for licensed registered nurses, this online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program expands professional skills in leadership, patient care, and evidence-based practice. Earn your degree in as few as 15 months, enhancing career opportunities with advanced clinical decision-making abilities. Financial aid options are available for qualifying students, making this flexible online program an accessible pathway to career advancement.
- Online post-licensure program
- Complete in 15 months
- Advanced nursing skills development
- CCNE accredited program
- Designed for working RNs
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
List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs
Tucson, AZ
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson
- RN to BSN - Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
Online Learning - Website
- Online delivery method
- Approximately 1 year
- Designed for working nurses
- Requires unencumbered RN license
- 79 semester credits required
- Focus on leadership and management
- CCNE accredited program
- NCLEX-RN already completed
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
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona
- MSN to DNP - Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 70 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Top 1% of higher-ed institutions
- Ranked #31 for DNP by U.S. News
- Hybrid: online, campus, clinical placements
- Skills in hospice, geriatrics, critical care
- Career paths: NP, patient care coordinator
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse-Midwifery
Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 69 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Prepares for American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB)
- Top 1% of all Higher-Ed Institutions
- #31 in Nation for DNP Nursing
- Hybrid: online + 3 on-campus intensives
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 35 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- Three on-campus clinical immersions
- DNP/MPH dual degree option
- Ranked #31 nationally by U.S. News
- Top 1% of higher-ed institutions
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 68 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Top 1% of higher education institutions
- Ranked #31 in nation for DNP
- Hybrid online and on-campus format
- Skills: telehealth, care coordination, prescribing
- Dual application via NursingCAS and GradApp
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 2.5 years program
- 70 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Starts fall
- 720 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- MSN to DNP - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Post-Master's DNP - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 35 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Financial aid available
- Average cohort size of 10
- Fully online with one on-campus intensive
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program available
- Loan forgiveness up to 85%
- MSN to DNP - Executive Health Systems Leadership (EHSL) DNP
Concentration: Executive Health Systems Leadership - Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 50 total credit hours
- 1000 clinical hours
- Work experience required
- Prerequisite courses required
- Ranked #31 nationally for DNP programs
- Top 1% of all higher-ed institutions globally
- Prepares for CNO, Medical Director roles
- MSN to DNP - Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- 65 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- 720 clinical hours
- Financial aid available
- Hybrid with 3 on-campus intensives
- Eligible for NP certification in pediatric primary care
- Dual DNP/PhD degree option
- MSN to DNP - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- $1,053 per credit
- 70 total credit hours
- Full-time and part-time options
- Ranked #19 DNP program in the U.S.
- Hybrid online and on-campus intensives
- Mental health assessment skills
- Prepares for PMHNP career
- Designed for RNs with BSN or MSN
Comprehensive List of Nursing Schools Near Tucson, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson
- Bachelor's - Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: HESI
- 3-Year program
- 6 start dates per year
- Asynchronous online classes
- 92% job placement rate
- 2.8 GPA minimum
Carrington College-Tucson
- Associate - Associate Degree in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- ACEN accredited
- Entrance exam required
- Exams: TEAS
- 23-Month program
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN
- Military benefits accepted
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships 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
University of Arizona
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Campus Based - Website
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
- 93% licensure pass rate
- $88K High Starting Salary
- 600 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Financial aid available
- Scholarships available
- Top nursing program in Arizona
- Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Concentration: Integrative Health - Campus Based - Website
- CCNE accredited
- Complete in 15-16 months
- 93% licensure pass rate
- $88,000 median earnings
- 600 clinical hours
- Prepares for NCLEX
- Top-ranked nursing program in Arizona
- Hybrid online and in-person learning
