Nursing Degree in Phoenix, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Phoenix, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$103K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$125K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.2 yrs
in Phoenix
Cost of Living
152
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Phoenix, AZ Overview
Phoenix is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 72 institutions and a student population of 118,169. Public tuition averages $12,467/year here — near the national average for public universities. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Phoenix is approximately $103,360.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
72
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$22,100/yr
Room & Board
$14,782/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,630/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
53%
Nursing Salary in Phoenix (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Phoenix's cost of living index of 152 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Phoenix adjustment factor: 1.52x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Phoenix
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Phoenix tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $22,100
Phoenix avg aid: $8,630/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,996
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$50,160
vs HS diploma in Phoenix
ROI Payback Period
2.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Phoenix
$955,004
Lifetime earnings premium ($1,064,000) minus total education cost ($108,996)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Phoenix
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Phoenix for Nursing
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Grand Canyon University
private
$17,800/yr
$71,200 total
University of Advancing Technology
private
$26,400/yr
$105,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Maricopa Community Colleges
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Phoenix
Phoenix offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Phoenix Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Arizona Cities
Tucson, AZ
$79K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$75K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$84K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$81K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$71K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$86K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$71K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$77K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Healthcare Majors in Phoenix
Pharmacy
$76K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$76K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$76K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$76K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$76K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$76K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$76K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$76K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Phoenix — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Nursing ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Phoenix.