Best Nursing Schools in Tucson: Programs, Tuition & Rankings for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 24, 2026
Compare 6 Tucson nursing programs with real tuition and graduate earnings data from the College Scorecard.
Why Study Nursing in Tucson?
Tucson offers a strong healthcare market with growing demand for nurses across hospitals, clinics, and specialty care facilities. The metro area has 6 institutions offering nursing programs, from affordable community college ADN degrees to advanced doctoral programs.
Top University Nursing Programs
University of Arizona (Tucson)
In-state tuition: $13,626/year | Acceptance rate: 85.7% | Graduation rate: 66.9%
Nursing graduates earn $104,908/year (Doctoral Degree). Enrollment: 40,769 students.
Pima Medical Institute-Tucson (Tucson)
In-state tuition: N/A/year | Graduation rate: 70.8%
Nursing graduates earn $66,729/year (Associate's Degree). Enrollment: 2,619 students.
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson (Tucson)
In-state tuition: $23,760/year | Acceptance rate: 100.0%
Nursing graduates earn $85,169/year (Bachelor's Degree). Enrollment: 566 students.
Affordable ADN Programs
| School | Location | Tuition | Nursing Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pima Community College | Tucson | $2,370/yr | $63,790/yr |
| Cochise County Community College District | Sierra Vista | $2,232/yr | $60,454/yr |
| Carrington College-Tucson | Tucson | N/A/yr | $69,437/yr |
How to Choose the Right Program
Consider these factors when selecting a nursing program in Tucson:
- Budget: Community college ADN programs are the cheapest path to an RN license, often under $5,000/year
- Career goals: ADN gets you working fastest; BSN opens more doors; MSN/DNP leads to advanced practice and highest earnings
- Transfer path: Many local CCs have articulation agreements with universities for ADN-to-BSN bridges
- Clinical sites: Look for programs with rotations at major local hospitals
Financial Aid
- Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often covers full CC tuition
- State grants — check Arizona's state aid programs for residents
- HRSA Nurse Corps Scholarship — tuition + living stipend for underserved area commitment
- Hospital tuition reimbursement — many employers pay for nurses pursuing higher degrees
Next Steps
Compare Tucson nursing programs on GradeToGrad — see tuition, outcomes, and admissions data for every school.
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