Arizona RN-BSN Programs: Affordable & Fast Options for 2025

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Find an accredited Arizona Online RN to BSN that won’t bust your budget! Use our state listings to explore public & private options, including top-ranked universities like ASU. Learn more about the best, cheapest, and fastest Online RN to BSN programs in Arizona. Explore Arizona RN to BSN scholarships, including hospital-specific awards. And get answers to FAQs, including details on Online RN to BSN to MSN pathways.

Best RN to BSN Online Programs in Arizona

1. Arizona State University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 39
Length: 14 Months (Full-Time); Part-Time Plans of Study Available
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check State Exceptions
NCLEX Pass Rates: 94.12%

ASU is an easy pick for the Best RN to BSN in Arizona! The university earns excellent rankings for its online bachelor’s degrees and graduate nursing programs. The Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation has useful career connections to the Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Dignity Health, and the WHO. NCLEX pass rates are respectable. And independent reviews of its nursing programs are absolutely glowing. ASU’s 100% Online RN to BSN blends the usual assortment of BSN-level courses with a couple of unusual topics (e.g. Innovation Nursing). Fieldwork is included in the Community & Public Nursing course—this can be completed in your home area.

2. Northern Arizona University

Program: Online RN to BSN
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes—Check State Exceptions
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.59%

NAU’s Online RN to BSN hits the triple—it’s fast, affordable, and well-respected. The School of Nursing is one of the few public universities in the country to offer a self-paced program. But you also have the option to go for more traditional term-based schedule if you like the feel of regular classes. Nursing scholarships are plentiful; online graduate degrees are offered; and NCLEX & FNP licensure pass rates are sturdy. The School has a particular interest in rural and underserved communities, including Navajo Nations sites, so be sure to check out faculty-led research projects before applying.

Cheapest RN to BSN Online Programs in Arizona

The cheapest way to earn an Online RN to BSN in Arizona is to choose a competency-based/self-paced program and get through the coursework as quickly as possible. If you’d prefer a more traditional, semester-based format, have a look at our rankings of the Most Affordable Online RN to BSN Programs in the U.S. There are plenty of alternative choices!

1. Northern Arizona University

Program: Online RN to BSN (Competency-Based)
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes—Check State Exceptions
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.59%

NAU has two models for the Online RN to BSN. The self-paced, Competency-Based Online/Personalized Learning model is offered at an affordable flat rate for each 6-month session. The faster you can finish, the cheaper it will be. In contrast, the traditional, semester-based program will involve conventional & more expensive tuition rates. The semester-based program might take you 2 terms, but it’s likely to take a little longer (e.g. 3-4 terms).

2. University of Phoenix

Program: Online RN to BSN (Competency-Based)
RN to BSN Credits: 33
Affordable Pick for Out-of-State: Yes
Cost Info: Tuition & Fees
NCLEX Pass Rates: 100%

UoPX also offers two ways to earn the RN to BSN. Tuition is charged on a per credit basis for both programs. The per credit tuition rate for the 100% Online RN to BSN (Competency-Based) program is pretty affordable. No matter how fast you finish, you’ll still pay for 33 credits. UoPX estimates it might take ~12 months (4 courses every 16 weeks). The per credit tuition rate for the semester-based 100% Online RN to BSN is higher. Students transferring with an ADN can complete this program in 14 months.

Bear in mind that UoPX is a for-profit school. However, it is regionally & CCNE-accredited. And it offers a tuition guarantee—prices will be locked in for the duration of the program.

Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in Arizona

To qualify for our Fastest rankings, Arizona Online RN to BSN programs had to take less than 1 year/3 semesters to polish off. Most AZ plans of study were 12 months or more, but we did find one speedy option. You’ll also see it appearing in our rankings of the Fastest Online RN to BSN Programs in the country.

1. Northern Arizona University

Program: Online RN to BSN (Competency-Based)
RN to BSN Credits: 30
Length: Self-Paced (e.g. 8 Months) or Traditional (e.g. 3-4 Terms)
Accepts Out-of-State RNs: Yes—Check State Exceptions
NCLEX Pass Rates: 93.59%

NAU has two pathways to the Online RN to BSN. With NAU’s self-paced, Competency-Based Online/Personalized Learning model, you can finish the degree as quickly as you like. You’ll need to power through 11 courses (30 units), including a capstone and Health Assessment practicum. We’ve used 8 months as an estimate, since this is the figure NAU quotes. Alternatively, you can choose a traditional, semester-based plan of study. If you’re able to squeeze 5-6 courses into a term and you don’t have any prerequisites to make up, this might take you 2 terms. But it’s likely to take a little longer (e.g. 3-4 terms).

Note: As we’ve mentioned, the University of Phoenix also offers an Online RN to BSN (Competency-Based) program. Although you can go at your own pace, UoPX estimates that it might take 1 year to finish the degree (4 courses every 16 weeks).

RN to BSN Scholarships in Arizona

Statewide Scholarships for Arizona RN to BSN Students

Arizona Nursing Organization Scholarships

The first place to look for RN to BSN funding in Arizona is the Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA). It sponsors all kinds of Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing (AzFFN) Scholarships, including undergraduate awards.

You may also be eligible for scholarships from group-specific AZ nursing organizations. Examples include:

Arizona Healthcare System & University Partnerships

Are you currently working for an Arizona hospital or healthcare system? Be sure to talk to your HR representative about your education plans. As an employee, you may be eligible for all kinds of benefits, including partnership tuition discounts, tuition reimbursement, loan forgiveness programs, and more. For instance, UoPX offers tuition benefits to employees of many regional hospitals.

Arizona Hospital Scholarships

Arizona hospitals also offer their own healthcare scholarships! Some awards will only be open to current employees; others will be available to local residents in the hospital area. Here are just a few examples of what’s out there:

Arizona Community Foundation Scholarships

Explore Arizona Community Foundation (ACF) Scholarship Opportunities and Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (CFSA) Scholarships. Although most foundation scholarships will be aimed at recent high school graduates, you will sometimes find awards for continuing learners and current college students.

University Scholarships for Arizona RN to BSN Students

Institutional aid in Arizona is going to depend on the school. Big public universities in Arizona (e.g. NAU and ASU) offer specific nursing scholarships; private Christian schools (e.g. GCU) have RN to BSN scholarships; and for-profit choices (e.g. UoPX) offer partner tuition discounts.

Arizona State University

Grand Canyon University

Northern Arizona University

University of Phoenix

RN to BSN Requirements in Arizona

RN Licensure: Online RN to BSN degrees are classified as “post-licensure” programs. Arizona universities will expect you to have—or be in the process of earning—an RN license. If you still haven’t taken the NCLEX exam, you may have a little bit of wiggle room. For example, students currently earning an associate degree in nursing at a regionally accredited college can start pursuing ASU’s Online RN to BSN through the Concurrent Enrollment Program.

The Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) will be able to answer any questions you may have about state RN licensure.
AZBN also posts Annual NCLEX Pass Rates for AZBN-approved nursing programs. These statistics don’t apply to post-licensure programs, but we always like to use them as a general quality marker.

State Authorization: Do you live outside of Arizona? Just be sure you’re eligible to apply. State authorization issues mean that NAU and ASU’s Online RN to BSN programs aren’t available to RNs in a small number of states (e.g. Tennessee). When in doubt, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator for clarification.

Arizona Online RN to BSN Programs: FAQs

Are 100% Online RN to BSN Programs in Arizona Available?

Yes. The vast majority of Online RN to BSN programs in our Arizona listings are 100% online, with no campus visits required. NAU’s Online RN to BSN offerings include a Health Assessment for RNs Practicum with clinical lab, so you may want to check if you need to complete that lab on-campus.

Can I Choose a “No Clinicals” Online RN to BSN in Arizona?

Not really. Because of accreditation rules, CCNE-accredited and ACEN-accredited Online RN to BSN programs always contain a practicum component. Fortunately, BSN-level clinicals often focus on training in community health & leadership. And they can usually be completed in your local community and/or place of employment. For example:

ASU’s 100% Online RN to BSN incorporates fieldwork into its Community & Public Nursing in the U.S. courses.
GCU’s 100% Online RN to BSN includes 50 hours in leadership and 50 hours in community health.
UoPX’s Online RN to BSN offerings feature a Senior Leadership Practicum.
NAU’s Online RN to BSN offerings contain a Health Assessment for RNs Practicum with a required clinical lab. (Check to see if this needs any on-campus time.)

Do I Need Statistics to Apply for Arizona Online RN to BSN Programs?

Possibly. We saw statistics listed as a prerequisite for ASU and NAU, but other Arizona programs may be more flexible. For instance, GCU’s 100% Online RN to BSN includes Applied Statistics for Health Care Professionals as part of the core RN to BSN curriculum. If you don’t have stats on your transcript, ask the RN to BSN program coordinator if you can take it as a “co-requisite” while you start your RN to BSN coursework.

Are There Any Online RN to BSN to MSN Programs in Arizona?

Yes. GCU’s Online Fast Track MSN option will allow you to earn a BSN and MSN within 30 months. You’ll complete two graduate-level courses from your chosen MSN emphasis as electives in the BSN. GCU offers multiple MSN specialties.

Feel free to compare GCU’s program with other online offerings in our listings of RN to BSN to MSN Programs—we cover every state.

Note: UA and NAU offer Online RN to MSN Programs in Arizona, but these pathways don’t appear to include the BSN as part of the program.

What Should I Know About For-Profit Schools in Arizona?

First off, all of the schools in our Arizona Online RN to BSN program listings are a) regionally accredited by the HLC; and b) CCNE-accredited. So you shouldn’t have any issues with accreditation later down the track. However:

The University of Phoenix is well-known as a for-profit university. Before you sign up for a UoPX program, talk to your mentors & supervisors, read independent reviews (there are plenty!), and check out UoPX’s NCLEX pass rates.
GCU is a private Christian university in Arizona. As of late 2023, it was classified by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) as a for-profit institution. Talk to alumni and examine its 10-year NCLEX pass rates before applying.

As always, brick & mortar non-profit universities with reputable Schools of Nursing will have the most credibility in the job market.