If you prefer a more personal learning experience, attending a private university could be the best option. In contrast to public universities, private colleges have smaller student populations and smaller class sizes. Private school students thus often receive more individualized instructor attention. They also frequently garner their first-choice classes. Attending required classes on an accelerated timeframe increases the likelihood of graduating on time (or even early).

Private universities are usually socially rich. Their many extracurricular activities provide fun diversions and a larger sense of community. These often include instructor-student activities aimed at forming more communicative bonds.

The prestige of private universities should also not be overlooked. Attending a well-regarded private university may be just the “edge” needed to find gainful employment after graduation.

Private universities receive most of their funding from grants and donations. As a result, private schools typically charge higher tuition than state-funded public institutions. However, private universities frequently offer financial aid to students who qualify.

Arizona has close to 20 private institutions of higher education. College Calc, an online rankings site, suggests the University of Phoenix as one of the more affordable colleges for in-state students. Another recent web article reports that Grand Canyon University has received a strong ranking from Fortune Magazine.

We've listed below the top private nursing schools in Arizona, so that aspiring nurses can find the most personalized fit for their educational needs.

Phoenix metro area

Arizona College of Nursing
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Aspen University - Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Brookline College
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Brookline College - Tempe
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Carrington College - Mesa
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Carrington College - Phoenix
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Chamberlain University - Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Creighton University - Phoenix
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Grand Canyon University
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Educational Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN / MBA Dual Degree
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
  • MSN: Health Informatics
  • MSN: Leadership in Health Care Systems
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Public Health Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Midwestern University
  • DNAP: Completion Program for CRNAs
  • DNAP: Entry into Practice
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Leadership in Global Health
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Pima Medical Institute - East Valley
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
  • Patient Care Technician Certificate
Pima Medical Institute - Mesa
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Smith Chason School of Nursing - Phoenix
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Arizona Global Campus
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Informatics
  • MSN: Nurse Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Arizona College of Nursing Tempe
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Aspen University - Phoenix Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Brookline College Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Brookline College - Tempe Tempe
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Carrington College - Mesa Mesa
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Carrington College - Phoenix Phoenix
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing
Chamberlain University - Phoenix Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Creighton University - Phoenix Phoenix
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Grand Canyon University Phoenix
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • DNP: Educational Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN / MBA Dual Degree
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Health Care Quality and Patient Safety
  • MSN: Health Informatics
  • MSN: Leadership in Health Care Systems
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • MSN: Public Health Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
Midwestern University Glendale
  • DNAP: Completion Program for CRNAs
  • DNAP: Entry into Practice
  • DNP: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Nurse Executive
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse Leadership in Global Health
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Pima Medical Institute - East Valley Mesa
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
  • Patient Care Technician Certificate
Pima Medical Institute - Mesa Mesa
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
Smith Chason School of Nursing - Phoenix Phoenix
  • Diploma in Practical Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
University of Phoenix Phoenix
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • MSN: Informatics
  • MSN: Nurse Administration
  • MSN: Nurse Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nurse Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion

Tucson

Brookline College - Tucson
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Carrington College - Tucson
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Pima Medical Institute
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
School City Programs offered
Brookline College - Tucson Tucson
  • Patient Care Technician Diploma
Carrington College - Tucson Tucson
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
Pima Medical Institute Tucson
  • Associate Degree in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Category: 
Arizona