Best Online Nursing Programs in Tempe, AZ (2026)
Tempe, Arizona has a population of about 186,419. The city’s median household income is $77,643 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 49.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited nursing programs within 100 miles of Tempe, with tuition ranging from $2,358 to $19,682 per year. In Arizona, the top-earning nursing-related role is Nurse Anesthetist at a median $228,690 annually (BLS, May 2024).
Closest Nursing Schools to Tempe
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer nursing programs. Distances are calculated from Tempe city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookline College-Tempe | Tempe, AZ | 3.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa, AZ | 3.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| East Valley Institute of Technology | Mesa, AZ | 4.2 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| GateWay Community College-Central City | Phoenix, AZ | 7.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Scottsdale Community College | Scottsdale, AZ | 8.5 mi | $2,358 - $19,682 | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Arizona schools on the Arizona nursing page.
Nursing Wages Near Tempe
Tempe is part of the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area (BLS area code 38060). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Arizona statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $98,160 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $95,024 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $74,670 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $72,285 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $228,690 | AZ statewide | $221,384 |
| Nurse Midwife | $135,590 | AZ statewide | $131,258 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,630 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $130,329 |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,690 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $41,326 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Tempe at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 186,419 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $77,643 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 49.5% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 103.3 (above U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Nursing-related employment in Maricopa County | 116,201 workers, 1,534 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Tempe-Area Cities With Nursing Programs
- Chandler, AZ – 8.6 mi away (247,477 pop)
- Gilbert, AZ – 12.0 mi away (237,133 pop)
- Mesa, AZ – 12.4 mi away (484,587 pop)
- Phoenix, AZ – 15.6 mi away (4,054,083 pop)
- Fountain Hills, AZ – 18.7 mi away (24,482 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited nursing programs are near Tempe, AZ?
Our directory lists 5 nursing programs within 100 miles of Tempe. The closest is Brookline College-Tempe in Tempe, AZ (3.1 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Scottsdale Community College (8.5 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying nursing roles near Tempe?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying nursing-related roles near Tempe are: Nurse Anesthetist ($228,690), Nurse Midwife ($135,590), Nurse Practitioner ($134,630). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Arizona statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Chandler instead of Tempe?
Chandler, AZ is 8.6 miles from Tempe and has its own set of local nursing programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Tempe an affordable place to study nursing?
Tempe’s median household income of $77,643 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Tempe while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Arizona public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.