Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson

Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson produces graduates earning $85,169 in their first year—well above the national median and on par with Arizona's competitive nursing market. That 84th percentile national ranking tells you this program delivers strong outcomes. However, there's a significant cost attached: median debt of $51,854 is nearly double the state median and dramatically higher than the typical $27,000 nursing graduates carry nationally.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.61 means graduates owe about seven months of their first-year salary. While nursing salaries make this manageable compared to many fields, Arizona offers cheaper paths to similar earnings. The state's median nursing program produces graduates with just $32,000 in debt while earning $84,000—nearly identical outcomes for $20,000 less in loans. With a 100% admission rate and primarily serving Pell-eligible students, this institution provides access but at a premium price point.

The calculation is straightforward: your child will likely earn a strong nursing salary, but they'll be paying off significantly more debt than necessary to reach that income level. If cost is a major concern, other Arizona nursing programs deliver comparable market outcomes with substantially less borrowing.