Online BSN Programs in Arizona: Finding Top Degrees
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) can open doors to greater career opportunities, higher salaries, and advanced roles in nursing. Whether you’re an aspiring nurse or a current RN looking to expand your qualifications, earning your BSN online — or through a hybrid program — offers flexibility and potential cost savings. EduMed will provide you with an in-depth look at Arizona’s online BSN programs, covering admission requirements, costs, and career benefits. Keep reading to find the right program for your nursing goals.

Why Trust EduMed? We partner with 150+ nursing & allied health professionals to bring you the most in-depth data & insights on higher education & careers in healthcare. Meet our team and review our editorial values.
Looking Inside Arizona’s Top Online BSN Programs
A variety of online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs are available in Arizona, many of which are geared toward current Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students, registered nurses (RNs), and recent ADN graduates. These programs often include online components, as they are exclusively designed for students who already have experience and/or access to hands-on nursing training in a clinical setting. However, some programs offer both online and in-person components, the latter of which typically include labs and clinical-experience elements. Below, we’ve profiled three high quality Arizona online BSN programs to give you an idea of what you can expect and to help jumpstart your research.
University of Arizona–Global Campus
The University of Arizona’s Global Campus handles their distance learning degrees, including their online RN to BSN program, offered through their College of Arts and Sciences. This program offers students the opportunity to choose an emphasis, or area of focus, with options including business economics, cognitive studies, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, real estate studies, or supply chain management. These are in addition to the required nursing coursework needed to complete the program. Classes move at an accelerated, five-week schedule throughout the degree, and transfer credits are accepted and encouraged.
Duration: 4 years
Mode: Online
Cost: $11,020/academic year (plus fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Transcripts
- Minimum grade of C in microbiology or equivalent
- Unrestricted RN license or equivalent
- General bachelor’s admissions requirements
Core Curriculum:
- Digital fluency and information literacy
- Composition and communications
- History and government
- Anthropology
- Sustainability
- Science and math
- Role development in nursing
- Health care ethics and medical law
- Health assessments
- Nursing research
- Aging, family health, community health
- Chronic illness and disability nursing
- Leading and managing in nursing
- Capstones
- Electives
FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:
Northern Arizona University
Northern Arizona University offers multiple different tracks for students in their online RN to BSN: 1) concurrent enrollment options for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) students also looking to complete a bachelor’s degree, 2) mid-track AAS students, and 3) traditional RN to BSN students. Students can transfer up to 90 credits from an accredited college or university. Students located in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, or Washington are not eligible for this program due to state regulations.
Duration: 1 to 2 semesters following AAS degree
Mode: Online
Cost: $11,688/academic year (plus fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Northern Arizona University and School of Nursing applications
- Official transcripts
- Current RN license or plans to attain one within three months
- Meeting with admissions advisor
Core Curriculum:
- Health assessment
- Palliative care
- Gerontology
- Nursing as a discipline and profession
- Family nursing
- Information technology and healthcare policy
- Public health nursing roles
- Research and evidence-based practice
- Nursing leadership
- Practicums
Arizona State University (ASU)
Arizona State University, known as ASU, offers students who have already completed some nursing education the chance to complete an RN to BSN program online. Students who are in the process of completing an ADN can also enroll in the online RN to BSN through ASU’s concurrent enrollment program. Once enrolled, you’ll complete a variety of online classes, including nursing theory, nursing management, community nursing, and more. You will also complete a nursing capstone project as one of the final portions of your degree. As there are no in-person clinical components to the degree, it can be completed entirely online.
Duration: 14 to 24 months
Mode: Online
Cost: $6,104/academic year (plus fees)
Admissions Requirements:
- Active RN license or passing score on NCLEX
- U.S. residency (some state restrictions apply)
- Minimum 2.50 transfer GPA
- Minimum C grade in prerequisite English and math courses
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing Research and Evidence Translation
- Professional Nursing Theory
- Health Promotion Across the Life Span
- Community and Public Health Nursing in the United States
- Innovation in Nursing
- Nursing Management in Health Care
- The Art of Nursing
- Capstone: The Synthesis of Professional Nursing
- Public and Global Health in Nursing
- Writing for Healthcare Management
FAQs of BSN Students in Arizona
Before you apply to a BSN program in Arizona, it’s natural to have questions regarding duration, prerequisites, and more. So here are detailed answers to some of the most commonly asked questions for Arizona’s prospective online BSN students.
How long does it take to earn a BSN in Arizona?
The duration of your Arizona BSN program depends on the school, your transfer credits (if any), whether you’re a full- or part-time student, and your mode of learning (i.e., in person, online, or hybrid). That said, a BSN is a bachelor’s degree, which traditionally requires four years of full time study to complete. Part time study will take longer, and students who enter their BSN with transfer credits from previous college courses may be able to finish faster. If you plan to enter with transfer credits, check your school’s policy on how many will be accepted.
Can I work while pursuing a BSN in Arizona?
Practically all pre-licensure Arizona BSN programs are full time programs, and most discourage students from full-time employment while pursuing their degrees. On the other hand, RN to BSN programs in Arizona (like the one at Arizona State University) offer courses of study designed to allow RNs to continue to work while earning their degrees. You will need to consider your course schedule and study needs when deciding whether or not to work during your BSN studies.
Are there specific prerequisite courses I need to take?
Most Arizona BSN programs—including both pre-licensure and RN to BSN paths—require some prerequisite coursework to be completed for admission into the nursing programs. Specific course subjects vary from program to program but typically include statistics along with nursing-related subjects like biology, chemistry, nutrition, and psychology. Depending on the program, you may be able to complete your prerequisite courses through the school itself before your BSN start date. Or, if you’ve already taken classes elsewhere, credits from some or all prerequisite courses can transfer to your BSN program.
Are online BSN programs in Arizona accredited?
Quality online BSN programs are accredited in the same way and by the same accrediting agencies as campus-based programs. That includes both institutional and programmatic accreditation. It’s important to understand exactly what accreditation is and why it’s important, as accreditation gives your degree legitimacy to future employers and grad schools. So if you can’t confirm a BSN program’s proper accreditation, you’ll probably want to scratch that program off your list.
How can I pay for my BSN program in Arizona?
Qualified students in BSN programs in Arizona have access to a variety of financial aid options. Common resources also include scholarships and grants from external organizations as well as nursing programs, work-study opportunities, and tuition reimbursement from employers. Additionally, active military personnel, veterans, and eligible family members should explore the educational and training benefits provided by the VA.
Arizona’s BSN Career and Salary Outlook
Registered nurses play an important role in the healthcare community, and they’re compensated well for it. Professionals make an average of $88,310 per year. Arizona nurses in the 10th percentile of earners make $70,060, while the 90th percentile earn $109,750. There are salary differences depending on where you work. For example, in Tucson, the 90th percentile of registered nurses earn $99,570, and the 10th percentile make $64,440. The average earnings are $88,030. In the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale area, the salary range for registered nurses is $71,230 to $111,400, with the average salary being $89,390 per year. Registered nurses in Arizona will also enjoy healthy job growth in the years to come. There will be a 21.90% increase in jobs, so every year, there will be 4,820 new positions. In the United States, there will be 193,100 new jobs created annually, which is a 5.60% increase. For more details, look at the data we compiled below.
Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
---|---|---|---|
Arizona | $70,060 | $88,310 | $109,750 |
Flagstaff, AZ | $78,540 | $95,570 | $104,590 |
Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $65,010 | $82,620 | $102,550 |
Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ | $71,230 | $89,390 | $111,400 |
Prescott, AZ | $64,810 | $91,170 | $120,720 |
Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $61,850 | $82,460 | $98,480 |
Tucson, AZ | $64,440 | $88,030 | $99,570 |
Yuma, AZ | $69,660 | $87,210 | $109,750 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
Arizona | 59,110 | 72,050 | 12,940 | 21.90% | 4,820 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Best Online BSN Schools in Arizona
While everyone’s idea of the “best” BSN program for them will depend on personal circumstances, some factors are fairly universal. As such, we’ve ranked the best online BSN schools in Arizona. When determining our rankings, we consider programs holistically, looking at availability and ease of online learning, tuition costs, availability of financial aid, duration, and graduation rates. Explore additional details in the methodology tab, and read on to discover top-notch Arizona BSN programs.
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
Scottsdale, Arizona
Why We Selected Arizona State University Digital Immersion:
- The program offers a Concurrent Enrollment option, allowing students to earn both an Associate degree and a BSN simultaneously.
- The online format provides flexibility, enabling students to balance studies with professional commitments.
- ASU's accomplished faculty and diverse course offerings enhance career advancement opportunities in specialized nursing roles.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$10,710
- Average Institutional AidN/A
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course100%
- % of Students Receiving an Award22%
- Student/Faculty Ratio25/1
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
Why We Selected Northern Arizona University:
- The program offers a Concurrent Enrollment option, allowing students to earn both AAS and BSN degrees simultaneously.
- The RN-BSN program is delivered online with local clinical projects, providing flexibility for working nurses.
- Tuition scholarships are available for accelerated BSN students with a four-year work commitment in Arizona.
Program Details
- AccreditationHLC
- Average In-State Tuition$10,381
- Average Institutional Aid$9,449
- % of Students in ≥1 Online Course55%
- % of Students Receiving an Award56%
- Student/Faculty Ratio21/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024