Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Arizona | 2026
Direct-entry Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs allow students with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree to become nurses without returning for another undergraduate degree. Some programs award a general MSN, while others bridge the gap to advanced practice registered nursing degrees.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
Nurse.org’s Top Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Arizona
| School | Tuition | Program Length | Accreditation |
| Arizona State University |
Resident: $1,241 per credit hour Non-Resident: $1,862 per credit hour |
16 months | CCNE |
| Alliant International University | $48,044 per year | 2 years | CCNE |
| Alverno College | $1,000 per credit hour | 18-20 months | CCNE |
We’re highlighting three direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona. These programs are a mix of public and private with varying program lengths, which makes pursuing an education while working or caring for loved ones more feasible. These programs take between 15 and 24 months to complete.
1. Arizona State University
Non-Resident: $1,862 per credit hour
Students should expect to dedicate a full-time 40-hour/week to their schoolwork while enrolled in this intense program. The in-person portion of the program takes place in the downtown Phoenix campus. In addition to prerequisites, applicants must pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a minimum score of 58.7% to be considered for the program. Interested students can attend a live or prerecorded information session to learn more about the program. Students also have access to advanced simulation experiences, local clinicals, and a robust student services program, including career support for things like writing a resume and networking.
Program Highlights
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Public
2. Alliant International University
Alliant’s program boasts a 100% NCLEX rate, perhaps due in part to its enhanced NCLEX prep program that prepares students through mentoring and lab time. The program is hybrid, with general education and non-clinical courses completed online and clinicals and lab simulations performed in person. There is no waitlist, so admitted applicants are permitted to begin the program in one of three start times in January, May, and September.
Program Highlights
- Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Private
3. Alverno College
Graduates of this accelerated program report that NCLEX success is emphasized with a focus on exam prep built in. For instance, course exams are styled like the NCLEX to help students adjust to the question format. Clinicals also began immediately in the first semester of the program, providing a robust hands-on experience to prepare them for real-world nursing. The program has a 3-year NCLEX-RN pass rate of 92.45%.
Program Highlights
- Location: Mesa, AZ
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Private
4. University of Arizona
Tucson – Resident: $49,284 total / Non-Resident: $83,165 total
The University of Arizona claims to offer the #1 accelerated nursing program in the state of Arizona, with a 90% first-time NCLEX pass rate. The program offers several innovative features, like video feedback following clinical lab simulation learning modules and debriefing sessions. There is also an emphasis on leadership for its graduate-level students, with one-on-one mentors who teach healthcare leadership skills. While a few courses are online, the program does prep students that the majority of classes and experiences will be hands-on and in-person.
Program Highlights
- Location: Tucson or Gilbert, AZ
- Degrees/Programs Offered: MSN
- School Type: Public
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
What to Expect in a Direct-Entry MSN Program in Arizona
Direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona are most common for people with a non-nursing background who are looking to get into nursing in a fast and reliable pathway. With a bachelor’s in a non-nursing field, an MSN degree can be achieved in as little as 15 months to a few years.
Direct-entry MSN programs may also make sense for some nurses already working in Arizona since the state does not require its nurses to hold a BSN to practice. However, many individual hospitals mandate that their RNs earn their BSN within a certain number of years working in the hospital. Some nurses may instead choose to earn their MSNs.
Tuition for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Arizona
Tuition for direct-entry MSN programs varies by program. The most affordable program on our list is the University of Arizona, coming in at $48,000 total tuition for in-state residents. On the highest end of our list is Alliant International University, coming in at $96,088 total tuition.
The other two programs fall in the middle of the two, but you should also consider other university fees, commuting costs, and fees for study materials.
Admission Requirements for Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Arizona
Admission requirements for direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona differ depending on the school. To understand the specific standards of your chosen school, you should speak with an academic advisor.
However, most direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona will have these general prerequisites:
- A Bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisite courses (per program)
- All transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Completed school application
Are Direct-Entry MSN Programs in Arizona Difficult?
The direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona are considered to be rigorous and competitive. Most direct-entry MSN programs, regardless of the state, are considered full-time programs, meaning students are generally discouraged from working outside of the program. Some programs may also require weekends, evenings, and year-round course and clinical work.
What to Expect Working as an APRN in Arizona
NP Salary in Arizona
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average wage for nurse practitioners in Arizona is $132,920, or $63.90 per hour, which is right on par with the national median annual salary for NPs, which is $129,210 per year. California is currently the highest-paying state for NPs, but Arizona ranks in the top 15.
APRNs, in general, earn an average salary of $132,050 per year, $63.48 per hour, and the field is expected to grow 35% (much faster than average) over the next ten years. Going from RN to APRN provides you with not only more responsibilities but also more career opportunities to grow into.
Career Outlook
The BLS projects that the NP career field will grow 35% (much faster than average) over the coming decade. Additionally, it estimates 134,000 openings for APRNs each year. Currently, Arizona is home to 7,540 NPs.
Where Can You Work? RN Jobs in Arizona
Depending on your interests and skills, you can work in several locations as a nurse. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
Next Steps
The top direct-entry MSN programs in Arizona are perfect for working nurses who hold a bachelor’s degree in another field and want to pursue becoming an NP or APRN. These graduate programs allow you to take the next step in your career, even if you started in a non-nursing field.
Popular Online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Programs
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Whether you’re taking the first steps toward a nursing degree, seeking to advance as a nurse or want to hone your craft with specialized study, there’s a path for you at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. Our programs were designed so that you can easily balance your lives at home and work with school - without sacrificing the rigor and cutting-edge curriculum of a quality nursing education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, NP and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide except CT, NY, RI
The Berkley School of Nursing at Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the university has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. The university's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
FAQs
Additional Resources
For more information on earning a direct-entry MSN, check out these resources:
- Top Direct-Entry Master's in Nursing (MSN) Programs
- Top Cheapest Direct-Entry MSN Programs for 2026
- Types of Master's in Nursing (MSN) Degrees | Programs 2026
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