College of Nursing’s BSN Programs Continue to Lead in Arizona, Ranked Among Nation’s Best

Today
By Ann Hess, U of A Nursing, Office of Marketing & Communications

The University of Arizona College of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs continue to rank among the nation’s best, holding a Top 20 spot among public universities in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 Best Colleges Rankings.

The BSN programs are now ranked No. 19 among public institutions and No. 28 nationally, out of 686 schools, proudly holding the No. 1 spot in Arizona for undergraduate nursing education. This places the college in the top 4% of BSN programs nationwide.

“We take great pride in preparing our students to be practice-ready nurses who provide compassionate, evidence-based care,” said Brian Ahn, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing. “Remaining the top-ranked BSN program in Arizona and among the top 20 public programs in the nation is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and staff, and to the exceptional students who choose to start their nursing journey here. As one of the leading destinations for nursing education, we will continue to innovate, expand access to nursing education, and prepare highly skilled graduates who will meet the growing health care needs of our communities.”

The College provides two unique BSN pathways:

  • BSN Conventional Pathway (Tucson) – A two-year, in-person program at the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus, providing advanced simulation and clinical learning experiences. This fall, 266 students are enrolled in the program.
  • BSN-Integrative Health (Gilbert) – An accelerated 15–17 month program featuring simulations at the state-of-the-art Gilbert campus and nursing clinicals across Phoenix. This fall, 272 students are enrolled in the program. 

Both programs prepare graduates to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and enter the workforce as highly skilled registered nurses. The College of Nursing’s first-time pass rate is 94%, the highest among all three Arizona state universities.

“These rankings showcase the quality of our programs and the dedication of our faculty to student success,” said Lauren Accosta, PhD, RN, SANE-A, CPH, Nursing and Health Education Division (NHE) Chair, associate clinical professor. “Our faculty and staff work tirelessly to ensure that students receive the knowledge, skills, and support they need to excel in nursing practice.”

With this recent recognition, the College of Nursing continues to showcase excellence in key performance areas. Besides the BSN program rankings, the College’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and NIH research funding remain among the best in the nation, further highlighting the College’s leadership in nursing education, research, and practice.

As the College of Nursing celebrates this achievement, its dedication to advancing nursing education remains strong. With nationally ranked programs, outstanding faculty, and a focus on innovative and holistic health practices, the College continues to train the next generation of nurses who will improve health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities throughout Arizona and beyond.