Nursing Degree in Tucson, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Nursing degree analysis for Tucson, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$79K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$95K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.7 yrs
in Tucson
Cost of Living
116
index (100 = avg)
Nursing in Tucson, AZ Overview
Tucson is one of Arizona's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 21,782. Public tuition averages $7,664/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Nursing has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Patient Care and Clinical Assessment skills. The adjusted starting salary in Tucson is approximately $78,880.
Category
Healthcare
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$7,664/yr
Private Tuition
$31,536/yr
Room & Board
$18,163/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,106/yr
Unemployment
3.7%
Graduation Rate
67%
Nursing Salary in Tucson (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tucson's cost of living index of 116 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Nursing salary: $68,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Tucson adjustment factor: 1.16x based on the local cost of living index.
Nursing ROI Calculator for Tucson
Estimate your return on investment for a Nursing degree using local Tucson tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,664 | Private avg: $31,536
Tucson avg aid: $14,106/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,308
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$38,280
vs HS diploma in Tucson
ROI Payback Period
2.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tucson
$708,692
Lifetime earnings premium ($812,000) minus total education cost ($103,308)
Student Loan Payoff for Nursing in Tucson
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tucson for Nursing
University of Arizona
public
$12,748/yr
$50,992 total
Pima Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Prescott College
private
$31,536/yr
$126,144 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Pima Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Nursing in Tucson
Tucson offers opportunities in Hospitals, Medical centers, Private practices for Nursing graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tucson Hiring Sectors for Healthcare
Hospitals
Medical centers
Private practices
Health systems
Pharma companies
Common Nursing Job Titles
Nursing in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$103K starting · COL 152
72 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 Tucson
Pharmacy
$58K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Health Informatics
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Healthcare Administration
$58K starting · 4 yr ROI
Occupational Therapy
$58K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Dental Hygiene
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Speech-Language Pathology
$58K starting · 4.2 yr ROI
Public Health
$58K starting · 5.2 yr ROI
Radiologic Technology
$58K starting · 3 yr ROI
Nursing Degree in Tucson — 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 Tucson.