11 Best ABSN Programs in Tucson, AZ for 2026
Tucson, nestled in the lush Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, is a thriving city with a vibrant culture and a wealth of higher education opportunities. For those looking to launch or advance a nursing career, Tucson boasts numerous excellent ABSN (Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) programs guaranteed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to excel as nursing professionals.
This guide highlights the 11 best ABSN programs in Tucson based on quality of education, hands-on training opportunities, career support services, affordability, and more.
1. Carrington College
Rating: 4.8/5
Address: 201 N Bonita Ave Suite 101, Tucson, AZ 85745
Contact: (520) 368-3028, website
Tuition: $$18,372 per year
Program Length: 16 months
Carrington College is a leading nursing school providing career-focused training in healthcare for over 50 years. The Tucson campus offers an intensive 16-month ABSN program designed to build essential nursing knowledge and ability through interactive lectures, hands-on labs, and clinical rotations.
Students rave about the highly skilled faculty members who provide individualized support and prepare them extremely well for nursing licensure exams. The strong industry connections also help graduates land nursing roles swiftly. Carrington makes financing the ABSN degree manageable through scholarships and financial aid.
Key Highlights
- 16-month accelerated program
- Compassionate, experienced nursing faculty
- Excellent NCLEX pass rates
- Clinical rotations at renowned healthcare facilities
- Competitive tuition rates and financial assistance
2. Pima Medical Institute
Rating: 4.5/5
Address: 2121 N Craycroft Rd, Tucson, AZ 85712
Contact: (800) 477-7462, website
Tuition: $$17,925
Program Length: 14 months
Pima Medical Institute is one of Arizona’s most reputable medical career colleges providing over 8 nursing specializations. The Tucson campus offers an ABSN program where students acquire essential nursing competencies in just 14 months of intensive training.
Small classes of usually 15 students ensure abundant one-on-one faculty attention. PMI also schedules clinical rotations with leading hospitals and clinics in Tucson to help ABSN students get comfortable working in genuine healthcare settings. Financial aid and scholarships are available to make earning a BSN degree affordable.
Key Highlights
- 14-month accelerated BSN degree
- Extensive hands-on practicum experience
- Low 15:1 student-faculty ratio
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- Options to transfer credits or earn advanced placement
3. Jersey College
Rating: 4.7/5
Address: 1980 W Hospital Dr, Tucson, AZ 85704
Contact: (520) 210-8900, website
Tuition: $$15,495
Program Length: 16 months
Jersey College is a respected nursing school with multiple locations providing career-oriented programs in allied healthcare. The highly rated 16-month ABSN program offered in Tucson combines compassionate instructors with advanced facilities to ready students for professional nursing responsibilities.
As a smaller specialized college focused solely on healthcare training, Jersey invests heavily in labs, technology, libraries and other infrastructure to provide an optimal learning experience. The real-world knowledge and connections students gain also helps graduates smoothly transition into the workforce.
Key Highlights
- Under 16 months to complete BSN degree
- Specialized nursing college with excellent training facilities
- Extensive hands-on learning in skills labs, simulation training and clinicals
- Financial aid and flexible payment options
4. Arizona College of Nursing
Rating: 4.8/5
Address: 5285 E Williams Circle Suite 1000, Tucson, AZ 85711
Contact: (520) 549-3041, website
Tuition: $$17,000
Program Length: 15 months
Founded in 2005, Arizona College has specialized in high quality accredited nursing education for 15+ years. The cornerstone ABSN pathway allows students to achieve their BSN in an accelerated 15-month format combining classroom theory with over 800 hours of invaluable clinical experience.
Small class cohorts of just 12 students ensure individual mentorship from the talented nursing faculty. Arizona College also has stellar BSN NCLEX pass rates and career assistance through strong partnerships with major medical centers and healthcare employers in Tucson.
Key Highlights
- 15-month BSN designed for working professionals
- Just 12 students per class for personalized training
- 800+ hours of supervised clinical experience
- Proven NCLEX pass and job placement success
- Flexible day or evening course schedules
5. University of Arizona
Rating: 4.7/5
Address: Various addresses in Tucson, AZ 85721
Contact: (520) 621-2211, website
Tuition: $$27,078 (in-state), $$62,646 (out-of-state)
Program Length: 15 months
The University of Arizona College of Nursing is renowned nationally for excellence in nursing education and research. The full-time campus ABSN pathway allows rapid completion of a BSN degree in just 15 months.
Small class sizes of under 30 students ensure abundant faculty interaction and support. Cutting-edge simulation technology combined with 660 hours of clinical experience also gives students real nursing skills mastery needed for professional practice after graduation. Financial assistance is available.
Key Highlights
- 15-month accelerated BSN on a prestigious campus
- Under 30:1 student-faculty ratio
- 660+ hours of clinical rotations
- Industry-leading simulation training facilities
- Excellent reputation and career prospects
6. Brookline College
Rating: 4.2/5
Address: 300 S Craycroft Road #100, Tucson, AZ 85711
Contact: (888) 913-7207, website
Tuition: $$18,950
Program Length: 16 months
Brookline College is focused solely on preparing job-ready graduates for careers in nursing and the healthcare industry. The BSN-A program allows students to achieve their Bachelor’s nursing degree through an intensive 16-month schedule with year-round study options.
Small class sizes of just 15 students ensure close bonds between pupils and faculty. Brookline also schedules clinical experience with several of Tucson’s top-ranked hospitals to expose students to real nursing workflow and technologies. Federal financial aid is available to qualifying enrolled students.
Key Highlights
- 16-month accelerated track to earn BSN
- Clinical rotations at leading Tucson hospitals
- Low 15:1 student-faculty ratio
- State-of-the-art simulation center
- Year-round course scheduling options
7. Northern Arizona University (at Pima CC)
Rating: 4.7/5
Address: 2202 W Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ 85709
Contact: (520) 206-6081, website
Tuition: $$10,000 per year (approx.)
Program Length: 5 semesters
This innovative Tucson-based program allows Pima Community College students to earn an ABSN degree from the highly respected NAU College of Health and Human Services. By partnering with NAU, graduates benefit from the university’s stellar reputation while paying lower Pima CC tuition rates.
The hybrid curriculum blends online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations at Tucson healthcare facilities. Small class sizes also guarantee focused faculty guidance. Federal/state financial aid and scholarships provide affordable access to this career-accelerating nursing program.
Key Highlights
- Respected NAU nursing degree through Pima CC
- Blended online and in-person accelerated BSN pathway
- 600+ hours of clinical experience at Tucson providers
- Skills and simulation labs with cutting edge technology
- Lower Pima Community College tuition rates
8. Pima Community College
Rating: 4.3/5
Address: 2202 W Anklam Road, Tucson, AZ 85709
Contact: (520) 206-4500, website
Tuition: $$2,550 per semester (approx.)
Program Length: 2 years
Pima CC has provided affordable, quality higher education to Tucson residents for 50+ years including associate and bachelor’s degrees and job training programs. The ABSN pathway allows completion of preparatory nursing coursework in just 7 quarters of full-time study.
Small class sizes ensure students have direct access to nurturing faculty support throughout their accelerated progression. Pima also schedules clinical rotations at hospitals across southern Arizona to give vital real-world experience. Low in-state tuition rates make earning a BSN very affordable.
Key Highlights
- Accelerated 2-year program pathway
- Clinical placements across Tucson and Southern Arizona
- Low tuition rates for state residents
- Small student-instructor ratios
- 50 years serving Tucson community
9. Grand Canyon University
Rating: 4.8/5
Address: 3500 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson AZ 85719
Contact: (866) 585-2131, website
Tuition: $$16,500 per year (approx.)
Program Length: Four 12-week quarters
GCU offers an affordable accelerated online or evening hybrid BSN program catering to working professionals with convenient block scheduling. Competency is built through interactive online media, in-person skills labs, and supervised hospital clinical rotations.
Supportive faculty and peer mentor groups help students excel in this intense paced program. Previous college credits can also lead to advanced placement to shorten study duration. Clinical partners include leading providers like Carondelet Health Network and Northwest Medical Center.
Key Highlights
- Accelerated evening/online BSN program
- Block scheduling friendly for working nurses
- Advanced placement options to reduce study time
- Supportive peer groups and faculty
- Clinicals with major Tucson hospitals
10. Galen College of Nursing
Rating: 4.5/5
Address: Various locations across Tucson
Contact: (877) 223-7040, website
Tuition: $$18,990
Program Length: 12 months
Galen is one of the largest nursing colleges in the U.S offering over 15 BSN and other nursing campus/online programs. The Tucson ABSN course allows completion in just 12 months of year-round accelerated study.
The curriculum grounds students in core nursing theory while providing over 500 hours of clinical experience in Tucson hospitals and medical settings. Small class sizes also ensure individualized faculty guidance. Financial aid helps fund this intensive training for new nursing professionals.
Key Highlights
- 12-month accelerated BSN program
- 500+ hours of clinical rotations
- Year-round course scheduling
- Proven NCLEX score and job placement outcomes
- National leader in nursing education
11. Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR)
The Arizona Board of Regents is responsible for overseeing and coordinating all public university nursing programs in the state of Arizona. This centralized leadership ensures consistent high educational standards, faculty credentials, and training alignment to healthcare industry needs across the three state universities:
- University of Arizona (Tucson)
- Arizona State University (Phoenix)
- Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff)
Students considering an ABSN can feel confident enrolling with ABOR-governed university nursing colleges given the rigorous curriculum quality controls and years of proven results. Graduates from these schools consistently post exceptional first-time NCLEX pass and job placements rates after completing their accelerated BSN.
When comparing ABSN programs in Tucson, important factors to consider include:
Program length: Accelerated BSN tracks allow completion in 12-24 months. Determine your target timeline.
Tuition cost: Prices range from $$10,000 – $65,000 based on school prestige and public/private status.
Location: Central city or spread across metro? Commuting needs impact site choices.
Class size: Small cohorts (8-15 students) enable closer faculty mentoring.
Clinical hours: 500-700 supervised patient experience hours standard for proper skills development.
Faculty qualifications: Research school instructor expertise and credentials.
NCLEX pass rates: Proven licensure exam success indicates strong career readiness.
Career support: Placement assistance services improve graduate job prospects.
Prerequisites: Assess if you currently qualify for fast-track admission.
By comparing factors like faculty ratios, clinical hours, career outcomes, specializations, costs, and program pace, you can find the ideal BSN program matching your needs and positioning you for success as nurse.