Best Arizona Colleges & Universities

The Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona

College affordability is not simply a matter of tuition, though that certainly plays a role. Excellent financial aid, costs of living and other expenses all contribute to one’s final cost—and the amount of education debt they’ll likely carry. The information below highlights which Arizona colleges score best on overall net price.

• 1
  
  Dine College$8,382
• 2
  
  Arizona State University (All campuses)$11,206
• 3
  
  American Indian College Inc$12,580

• 4
  
  University of Arizona$13,617
• 5
  
  Northern Arizona University$15,011
• 6
  
  International Baptist College and Seminary$17,163

Average
Annual Net
Price

Cost for students awarded federal financial aid, after school and government aid is deducted. At public colleges, only applies to in-state students.

Arizona College Net Price vs. National Average

$16,688

Average Annual Net Price

$18,073

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Arizona Colleges for Maximizing Earnings Potential

Many students' top priority when selecting schools and majors is their long-term return on investment. Graduates may have student loan debt to pay off in addition to real-life expenses. Some universities in Arizona also have high job placement rates, usually through highly-ranked degree programs. The comparison below provides a snapshot of graduates' median annual earnings by school, and how they compare to the national average.

• 1
  
  Midwestern University-Glendale$117,000
• 2
  
  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott$60,900
• 3
  
  Arizona State University-Tempe$45,200

• 4
  
  University of Arizona$44,400
• 5
  
  Ottawa University-Phoenix$40,700
• 6
  
  Northern Arizona University$38,800

Annual
Median Earnings
10 Years
After Entering
College

Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.

Arizona Alumni Salaries vs. National Average

$48,411

Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After Entering College

$42,759

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Arizona Colleges for Minimizing College Debt

The Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education reports that students received nearly $2.5 million in financial aid in 2015. There are a number aid sources available to Arizona students, including federal grants and loans, private scholarships, and university- or department-specific. Graduates of the following universities in Arizona tend to carry the least amount of educational debt.

• 1
  
  University of Arizona$19,000
• 2
  
  Arizona State University (All campuses)$20,375
• 3
  
  Northern Arizona University$21,450

• 4
  
  Arizona Christian University$22,625
• 5
  
  Ottawa University-Phoenix$25,000
• 6
  
  Prescott College$25,000

Median
Federal Student
Loan Debt After
Graduation

Only for undergraduates who completed college; does not include Parent-PLUS loans.

Arizona College Grad Debt Vs. National Average

$22,483

Median Federal Student Loan Debt After Graduation

$23,145

Source: College Scorecard
Note: Rankings/data represent 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Evaluating Arizona's Cost of Living

Arizona has no shortage of enticing college towns, but its average cost of living exceeds the national average. Like other states, some cities or regions are more affordable than others — something to consider when budgeting for college. See how the five most populous cities in Arizona compare in characteristics like housing, food, utilities and health care.

Source: The Council for Community and Economic Research

Arizona College Accreditation

Accreditation indicates that an independent body fully evaluated and confirmed that a college meets certain quality standards. In other words, it certifies that students can expect to receive an education on par with state and national standards. Arizona has multiple national and regional accrediting bodies, including the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and the Higher Learning Commission. Some national, industry-specific organizations accredit individual college departments or degree programs. Some of those at work in Arizona include:

• The American Psychological Association accredits counseling and psychology programs at University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Midwestern University.
• The Council on Academic Accreditation certifies the speech-pathology program at Northern Arizona University.
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the nursing programs at Brookline College, the University of Arizona and the University of Phoenix.

Arizona Cities With a Major College Presence

Fairbanks

Fairbanks, which has a population of 32,469, offers two- and four-year college programs at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. Some key industries in the city are manufacturing, construction, leisure and hospitality, and health services.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
University of Alaska, Fairbanks	Public	$9,372	$38,200
The University of Alaska, Fairbanks has 9,870 graduate and undergraduate students enrolled at its nine colleges and schools, such as the School of Education, the School of Management, the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, and the College of Natural Science and Mathematics. UAF offers 146 degree and 31 certificate options, with psychology, biology, and public administration among the most popular. With 2,784 faculty members, the school boasts small class sizes that allow students to get individualized attention.

Tuscon

Many Arizona colleges call Tucson, the state's second-largest city, home. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated a metropolitan population exceeding 1 million in 2010. Tucson's unique college vibe is perfect for nature lovers, history buffs and art enthusiasts.

College Name	School Type	Annual Net Price	Annual Median Earnings 10 Years After College Only includes former students who received federal financial aid.
Pima Community College	Public	$21,849	$48,000
PCC is an open-admissions institution that aims to provide an affordable education. It has six campuses in the across the Tucson metro, which extend college access and give students more options. In addition to associate-level degree programs, PCC offers workforce development, career training programs, and adult education.
University of Arizona	Public	$4,963	$33,500
Established in 1885 as the state's first university, U of A draws 50,000 students and faculty members from around the world. A global leader in research, it claims 100 percent of undergraduates will get a chance to conduct hands-on research or gain internship experience before they graduate. The college offers more than 300 individual programs.

Source: College Scorecard

Arizona College Resources for Further Research

Potential applicants to Arizona colleges should take advantage of the multitude of resources available online. Every university has a website with corresponding information on degree programs and financial aid. Additionally, there are many external, objective sources from which to draw information, including the state's accreditation agencies and organizations for higher education. Here a few to get started.