5 Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into in Arizona 2025

In Arizona, like in most states, to become a registered nurse (RN), you need to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN) and obtain a license. Before you can take the NCLEX-RN exam, you need to complete a nursing program.

Despite the high demand for nurses in Arizona, nursing admissions can be very competitive in the state. If your grades aren't great, it can help to look for the easiest nursing schools to get into. Keep reading to discover the easiest nursing programs to get into in Arizona.

How Competitive Are Nursing Schools in Arizona?

Most colleges and universities do not publish their nursing program acceptance rates. This can make it tricky to determine the hardest or easiest nursing schools to get into. However, most nursing programs in Arizona state that their programs are competitive.

Nursing programs typically have a set number of students they can accept each year. Because the number of applicants fluctuates, the acceptance rate can vary drastically. Some easy nursing programs can have a really high acceptance rate for one cohort and a really low acceptance rate the next.

A few schools, like Arizona State University (ASU), offer a direct-admissions option for high school students with good grades. These options guarantee admission, but have a high threshold for who qualifies.

What Are the Admissions Requirements for Arizona Nursing Schools?

Admissions requirements will vary depending on what type of program you're applying for, and they also vary slightly between schools.

The nursing school requirements for pre-licensure programs like Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees typically include completing all prerequisite courses with a minimum GPA and passing an entrance exam. The most common entrance exams are the Test of Academic Skills (TEAS) and the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) admissions exam

Additional requirements may include letters of recommendation or an interview process. Some prelicensure programs require you to have a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or certified nurse assistant (CNA) credential. Students typically need to pass a background check before they can enroll.

Other types of nursing programs will have different requirements. RN to BSN programs require an ADN and RN license. Graduate degrees, like the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), typically require an RN license and a BSN degree.

Nursing Schools With the Highest Acceptance Rates in Arizona

Unfortunately, nursing schools in Arizona don't provide their acceptance rates. Instead, we've listed colleges below that have the most accessible admissions requirements for their nursing programs.

1. Cochise College

Cochise College is a public community college in Sierra Vista, AZ. It offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in nursing that blends nursing skills courses and clinical experiences.

To qualify, students must complete the nursing prerequisite coursework and pass the TEAS with a minimum score of 66.1. The school accepts 100 students each year.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,280 per year (in-state); $6,120 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Maricopa County Community College District

Through the Maricopa County Community College District, students can earn an AAS in nursing. Admissions to the nursing program require completing all prerequisite coursework with a GPA of 2.0 and passing the HESI exam.

MCCCD, a public college system, is headquartered in Tempe, AZ. It offers this program through eight campuses throughout southern Arizona. While all campuses have the same admissions requirements, your chances of acceptance can differ based on the number of applications at the campus you choose.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,358 per year (in-state); $8,958 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

3. Yavapai College

Yavapai College offers an AAS in nursing as well as an RN to BSN program. The public college is located in Prescott, AZ.

The prelicensure associate degree requires students to complete general education courses and a few introductory nursing courses. Students must have a 2.0 GPA and take the TEAS.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,948 per year (in-state); $9,486 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

4. Arizona Western College

The AAS in nursing at Arizona Western College prepares students to excel in nursing care roles and within various healthcare settings. This is a two-year program after students have completed their nursing prerequisites.

AWC, located in Yuma, AZ, is a public community college. It requires applicants to have a GPA of 2.5 and HESI exam score of 75.

• Estimated tuition cost: $3,060 per year (in-state); $9,870 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

5. Central Arizona College

Central Arizona College is a public community college in Coolidge, AZ. It offers a traditional AAS program as well as an LPN to RN nursing track.

Students must have a GPA of 2.7 to be considered for either program. Those in the traditional program must pass the HESI exam, while those in the bridge program need to take the NACE Foundations of Nursing Exam and earn a score of at least 67%.

• Estimated tuition cost: $2,250 per year (in-state); $4,500 per year (out-of-state)
• Acceptance rate: 100% (overall acceptance rate)
• Accreditation: HLC and ACEN

How We Rank Schools

To choose the best nursing schools above, we focused on those offering programs leading to RN licensure. Then we considered:

• Accreditation: We only looked at programs that come from regionally accredited schools and offer programs accredited by the ACEN or Commission for Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Admissions requirements: Since acceptance rates were not available, we focused on associate and bachelor's degrees with the easiest application requirements and admissions processes.
• Program reputation: In addition to choosing only accredited schools, all schools on this list are nonprofit, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, and have a first-time NCLEX pass rate of over 90%.

What Can I Expect From a Nursing Degree Program?

In a nursing degree program, you can expect to take nursing courses, experience hands-on labs and simulations, and complete clinical experiences.

Your specific nursing courses will depend on the college of nursing you choose, but most programs cover topics such as patient care, pharmacology, physiology, and important nursing skills. Some courses include labs to enhance your learning experience.

The clinical portion of your program is very important. These usually happen after you've taken a few nursing classes and give you a chance to work with patients in different healthcare settings.

All nursing programs require coursework and clinicals. However, the number of credits you need and the ratio of coursework to clinical experiences will vary depending on whether you're in a traditional program, an accelerated program, a bridge program, an RN to BSN program, or a graduate program.

FAQs About the Easiest Nursing Programs To Get Into

Applying to nursing school can be exciting but also a little scary. We've highlighted some frequently asked questions below to help guide you through the process.

Is Nursing School Hard?

Nursing school is demanding and rigorous, but whether or not it's hard will depend on you personally. If you've got good study habits, it may not be easy, but it shouldn't overwhelm you either.

Some students particularly struggle with the math requirements for nursing programs, which may include basic algebra, statistics, or special math courses for healthcare majors. Luckily, once you get into the nursing program, you likely won't have many math classes.

Read More: Can I Be a Nurse If I Am Bad at Math?

What Is the Fastest Nursing Program in Arizona?

If you haven't earned a degree yet, the fastest option for a nursing program in Arizona is an ADN degree. These usually take about two years of full-time study, after completion of your prerequisites.

If you already have a bachelor's degree, you can look at accelerated BSN (ABSN) or entry-level MSN degrees. Both options take one to two years to complete.

RN to BSN programs are also about one to two years. These are for RNs who have already earned their ADN but want to complete their bachelor's degree, and are often offered online. The easiest RN to BSN programs online are those that allow you to do clinical experiences at your place of employment.

What Is the Lowest GPA To Get Into Nursing School?

In Arizona, the lowest GPA you can have to get into nursing school is a 2.0. However, keep in mind that many schools require a higher GPA, and your GPA can affect your chances of securing financial aid.

What Is the Career Outlook for Nurses in Arizona?

The nursing career outlook in Arizona is very positive. According to Projections Central, nursing jobs in Arizona are expected to increase by 22% by 2032.

Keep in mind that demand can vary based on where in the state you are. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the areas in Arizona with the highest employment of nurses are the Phoenix/Mesa/Scottsdale metro, the Tucson metro, and the Las Vegas metro.

What Is the Hardest Nursing Class?

The hardest nursing class will depend on your skill set. If you struggle with memorization, for example, you may have a hard time with pathophysiology or medical terminology classes.

Many students find that the hardest classes are actually prerequisites, such as statistics or organic chemistry. Some schools offer self-paced nursing prerequisites online, which can be easier for some students since they're more flexible than in-person courses.

What Nursing School Has No Waiting List in Arizona?

Many schools in Arizona don't have waiting lists; in fact, most don't. However, this isn't necessarily a good thing.

Waiting lists are used when a school has more qualified applicants than it can accept. Applicants who aren't selected for a cohort are placed on the waiting list and added to the next open cohort.

But most schools in Arizona don't have this option. Instead, they require students to reapply every application period, which can be stressful.

Some schools maintain an alternate list. If you're an alternate, this means that if a student drops before the start date, you may be able to take their spot.

Easiest Nursing Schools To Get Into Near You

Start your journey toward a nursing career by exploring the programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.