A 2025 Data-Driven Guide for Aspiring Registered Nurses
Arizona’s healthcare system continues to grow — and with it, the demand for highly skilled, compassionate Registered Nurses. For thousands of future RNs each year, the journey begins at one place: Arizona’s community colleges.
These institutions provide an affordable, accessible pathway to an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. But with so many options, one question matters most:
Which programs actually prepare students to pass the NCLEX on their first attempt?
As a nurse educator, I believe NCLEX pass rates are the strongest indicator of program quality. This guide uses the official 2025 Arizona Board of Nursing NCLEX-RN quarterly reports (January–September 2025, released October 1, 2025) to highlight the top-performing community college ADN programs across the state.
Why Choose an Arizona Community College for Nursing?
Before diving into the rankings, here are four reasons Arizona’s community colleges remain one of the smartest pathways to becoming an RN:
1. Affordability
Most ADN programs cost $10,000–$18,000 total, far less than university-based nursing pathways.
2. BSN Transfer Options
Students can seamlessly transition into BSN programs through partnerships with ASU, NAU, UA, and GCU.
3. Smaller Class Sizes
More personalized instruction leads to higher retention, stronger skills, and improved NCLEX outcomes.
4. Strong Clinical Partnerships
Community colleges maintain deep relationships with local hospitals, clinics, and specialty facilities — helping students gain real-world experience and job opportunities.
Our Ranking Metric: NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rates (2025)
For 2025 (YTD through Q3), Arizona’s overall first-time NCLEX pass rate across all program types is:
➡️ 90.56%
Community colleges surpass this benchmark at an impressive rate — and the following programs stand out as the very best.
Top Arizona Community College ADN Programs (2025 NCLEX Data)
1. Mesa Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Mesa
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 98.80%
(163 of 165 candidates passed)
Mesa CC leads the state with two cohorts achieving perfect 100% pass rates, reinforcing its reputation as Arizona’s top ADN program.
2. Paradise Valley Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Phoenix
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.22%
(72 of 70 passed)
PVCC’s May 2025 and July–September 2025 cohorts both achieved 100% pass rates, reflecting exceptional consistency.
3. Estrella Mountain Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Avondale
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
(5 of 5 passed)
High performance across all quarters with Q3 graduates scoring a perfect 100%.
4. Gateway Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Phoenix
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.00%
(200 of 194 passed)
Gateway’s August 2025 cohort set the tone with a stellar 100% pass rate.
5. Glendale Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Glendale
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.22%
(152 of 164 passed)
A strong West Valley program with consistently stable pass rates above 92%.
6. Phoenix College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Phoenix
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.60%
(117 of 125 passed)
Highly respected program offering bilingual pathways and innovative simulation labs.
7. Scottsdale Community College (MaricopaNursing)
Location: Scottsdale
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.59%
(70 of 74 passed)
Small, competitive cohorts with consistently high outcomes.
Note:
All seven colleges listed above belong to the MaricopaNursing consortium, which uses a unified curriculum, faculty oversight, and clinical standards — one reason for their outstanding uniform performance.
8. Cochise College
Location: Sierra Vista
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 100%
(32 of 32 passed)
Although the cohort size is small, the achievement is tremendous — every student passed on their first attempt. Visit College
9. Eastern Arizona College (EAC)
Location: Thatcher
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.18%
(69 of 71 passed)
EAC remains one of Arizona’s strongest rural ADN programs with excellent Q2 results (100%).
10. Central Arizona College (CAC)
Location: Coolidge
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.02%
(40 of 43 passed)
The May 2025 cohort reached a perfect 100%, placing CAC firmly among the state’s top ADN programs.
11. Pima Community College (West Campus)
Location: Tucson
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.14%
(137 of 144 passed)
Large cohorts with consistently excellent outcomes and one of the strongest student-support systems in Southern Arizona.
12. Arizona Western College
Location: Yuma
2025 YTD NCLEX Pass Rate: 88.30%
(83 of 94 passed)
A solid performer whose December 2025 cohort hits a remarkable 100%.
Before exploring programs with lower 2025 pass rates, you may also find this guide helpful: Arizona NCLEX Pass Rates: 2026 School Rankings.
Programs with Lower 2025 Pass Rates (For Transparency)
These programs reported below-average outcomes and may require further investigation by prospective students:
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Yavapai College — 84.16%
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Mohave Community College — 86.67%
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Carrington College – Mesa — 65.16%
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Carrington College – Tucson — 83.58%
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Arizona College of Nursing – Phoenix — 83.08%
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Arizona College of Nursing – Tucson — 84.16%
Carrington College–Mesa’s exceptionally low pass rate (65.16%) is notable and may be a concern for applicants.
A Nurse Educator’s Guidance: What to Look for Beyond Pass Rates
While NCLEX performance is critical, consider these additional factors:
✔ Accreditation
Prefer programs accredited by ACEN or CCNE.
✔ Prerequisite Requirements
Most ADN programs require foundation sciences — often taking 1–2 semesters to complete.
✔ Clinical Placement Quality
Ask where clinicals take place, how early they begin, and how often you rotate.
✔ Student Support
Strong programs offer:
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NCLEX prep courses
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Tutoring
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Mental health resources
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Simulation labs
✔ Cohort Culture
Attend info sessions, ask questions, and talk to current students.
Frequently Asked Questions (2025 Edition)
How long does earning an ADN take?
Typically 2 years of nursing coursework, plus 12–18 months of prerequisites.
How much do ADN programs cost in Arizona?
Most public programs run $10,000–$18,000 total, making them significantly cheaper than private schools.
Is nursing school competitive in Arizona?
Yes — especially MaricopaNursing and Pima. High grades in Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and English are crucial.
Your Next Steps Toward a Nursing Career in Arizona
Arizona’s ADN programs — especially the MaricopaNursing consortium, Cochise College, EAC, CAC, and Pima — continue to produce excellent NCLEX results in 2025. With several schools exceeding 95–100% pass rates, you have outstanding options no matter where you live in the state.
Action Plan
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Visit the nursing program pages for your top schools.
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Attend an information session (in person or virtual).
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Map out your prerequisites with an academic advisor.
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Begin preparing early for the TEAS exam.
Your journey to becoming a Registered Nurse starts with one informed decision — and now you have the data to make it confidently.