Best Community Colleges in Arizona 2024
The best community colleges provide an effective springboard into higher education, offering students high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The top-rated community colleges in Arizona offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
10 Best Community Colleges in Arizona
- Glendale Community College
- Mesa Community College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College
- Yavapai College
- Cochise College
- Scottsdale Community College
- Central Arizona College
- Diné College
- Eastern Arizona College
- Mesa Community College
- Eastern Arizona College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College
- Diné College
- Yavapai College
- Cochise College
- Mohave Community College
- Scottsdale Community College
- Central Arizona College
- Rio Salado College 28 to 1
- Tohono Oʼodham Community College 26 to 1
- Chandler–Gilbert Community College 23 to 1
- Coconino County Community College 22 to 1
- Arizona Western College 20 to 1
- Estrella Mountain Community College 19 to 1
- Pima Community College 19 to 1
- Eastern Arizona College 19 to 1
- Yavapai College 18 to 1
- Glendale Community College 15 to 1
- Coconino County Community College $3,254
- Arizona Western College $2,760
- Yavapai College $2,680
- Eastern Arizona College $2,232
- Cochise College $2,184
- Pima Community College $2,136
- Estrella Mountain Community College $2,040
- Glendale Community College $2,040
- Phoenix College $2,040
- Rio Salado College $2,040
- Diné College $4,500
- Tohono Oʼodham Community College
- Chandler–Gilbert Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- South Mountain Community College
- GateWay Community College
- Mohave Community College
- Northland Pioneer College
- Coconino County Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Rio Salado College
- Tohono Oʼodham Community College
- Chandler–Gilbert Community College
- South Mountain Community College
- Coconino County Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- GateWay Community College
- Rio Salado College
- Northland Pioneer College
- Arizona Western College
- Northland Pioneer College 11 to 1
- Paradise Valley Community College 11 to 1
- Phoenix College 12 to 1
- GateWay Community College 12 to 1
- Mohave Community College 13 to 1
- South Mountain Community College 14 to 1
- Scottsdale Community College 14 to 1
- Glendale Community College 15 to 1
- Mesa Community College 15 to 1
- Diné College 15 to 1
- Tohono Oʼodham Community College $932
- Diné College $1,410
- Central Arizona College $1,500
- Mohave Community College $1,944
- Northland Pioneer College $1,948
- Estrella Mountain Community College $2,040
- Glendale Community College $2,040
- Phoenix College $2,040
- Rio Salado College $2,040
- Mesa Community College $2,040
- Diné College $4,500
Colleges and Universities in Arizona
Both traditional and online students hoping to attend college in Arizona have a lot to choose from. With both in-person and online degrees at every level of education, Arizona offers educational variety and excellence. Students can choose from associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs anywhere in the state.
The state’s largest university, the University of Arizona located in Tucson, offers a competitive tuition rate, at $12,000, for its 39,000 students.Moreover, Arizona’s most affordable schools, such as the tribally-owned Diné College, offer tuition as low as $1,000.
Private schools make up about one third of the higher education institutes in Arizona. Arizona’s private schools offer a comprehensive range of traditional and online degrees from fine arts to naturopathic medicine.
Arizona’s public universities and colleges, such as Northern Arizona University located in Flagstaff, offer both on-campus and online students a variety of study concentrations, including mathematics, education, political science, and psychology. If you’re looking for flexibility, Arizona has 14 colleges and universities offering entirely online degrees.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
Arizona is also home to three religiously affiliated schools: Arizona Christian University, Phoenix Seminary, and International Baptist College. While tuition varies greatly among these three schools, each school provides unique degree programs, such as music ministry at International Baptist College.
Arizona boasts year-round sunshine, the Grand Canyon, award-winning restaurants, and several professional sports teams? With more than 30 colleges and universities to choose from, Arizona allows students to get their degrees while cashing in on some of life’s greatest pleasures.
If you want to experience the state of Arizona while taking some online courses, you may be able to take a hybrid degree program. Many Arizona colleges and universities allow you to earn a degree through a combination of online learning and on-campus courses.
Arizona offers a variety of excellent and affordable colleges and universities for on-campus and online students at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree level.
What are Arizona’s Colleges & Universities?
- 4 Research Universities
- 3 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 5 Graduate Schools
- 3 Public Colleges & Universities
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 3 Christian College
- 4 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 9 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 21 Community Colleges
- 14 Online Colleges
Arizona’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 21 community colleges in Arizona. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Arizona.
If you’re interested in an online associate degree, visit our best online associate degrees in Alabama page.
Best Community Colleges in Arizona
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
12%
Student body
21K
Career Outlook for degree at Glendale Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $38,300What is Glendale Community College known for?
Glendale Community College ’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Criminal Justice
- Philosophy
- Sociology
- Social Work
- Business
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Anthropology
- Law
- Earth Sciences
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
24K
Career Outlook for degree at Mesa Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $41,500What is Mesa Community College known for?
Mesa Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Nursing
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Biology
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
12%
Student body
14K
Career Outlook for degree at Phoenix College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $36,000What is Phoenix College known for?
Phoenix College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #2 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies #2 Best Online Associate in Political Science #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024 #4 Best Online Associate in Biology
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #9 Best Online Associate in General Science
- #9 Best Online Associate in English
- #9 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #10 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #15 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts
- #15 Best Online Associate in Education
- #17 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #17 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #21 Best Online Associate in Early Childhood Education
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
18%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for degree at Pima Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,298Starting Salary: $35,000What is Pima Community College known for?
Pima Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024 #10 Best Online Associate in Game Development #22 Best Online Associate in Paralegal Studies
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
39%
Student body
10K
Career Outlook for degree at Yavapai College
Cost of Degree: $2,680Expenses: $14,112Starting Salary: $34,000Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Yavapai College known for?
Yavapai College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024 #7 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
25%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Cochise College
Cost of Degree: $2,184Expenses: $12,053Starting Salary: $34,300Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Cochise College known for?
Cochise College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Education
- Computer Science
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Literature
- Medical
- Physics
- Criminal Justice
- Mathematics
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024 #16 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #17 Best Online Associate in Web Design #20 Best Online Associate in Economics
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
22%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Scottsdale Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $42,500What is Scottsdale Community College known for?
Scottsdale Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Social Work
- Nursing
- Mathematics
- History
- Biology
- Business
- Anthropology
- Criminal Justice
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
18%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Central Arizona College
Cost of Degree: $1,500Expenses: $11,715Starting Salary: $31,500Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Central Arizona College known for?
Central Arizona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Engineering
- Political Science
- Communications
- Business
- Education
- Criminal Justice
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
18%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Diné College
Cost of Degree: $1,410Expenses: $11,290Starting Salary: $23,400Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Diné College known for?
Diné College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
49%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Arizona College
Cost of Degree: $2,232Expenses: $12,686Starting Salary: $35,700Cost Recoup Time: 9 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Eastern Arizona College known for?
Eastern Arizona College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Online Associate's in Physics #4 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs #5 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design #5 Best Online Associate in Mathematics
Other Rankings
- #6 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024
- #8 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
- #11 Best Online Associate in Political Science
- #13 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #18 Best Online Associate in History Degrees
- #18 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #25 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Arizona Western College
Cost of Degree: $2,760Expenses: $15,949Starting Salary: $32,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arizona Western College known for?
Arizona Western College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Mathematics
- Earth Sciences
- Sociology
- Biology
- History
- Political Science
- Criminal Justice
- Communications
- Philosophy
- Physics
Most Influential Alumni
- #6 Best Online Associate's in Physics #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024 #10 Best Online Associate in Biology #11 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
10%
Student body
31K
Career Outlook for degree at Rio Salado College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $43,400What is Rio Salado College known for?
Rio Salado College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #1 Best Online Associate in Biology #5 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies #5 Best Online Associate's in Physics #9 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2024
- #9 Best Online Associate in Game Development
- #9 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
- #12 Best Online Associate in Web Design
- #13 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #16 Best Online Associate in Political Science
- #17 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management
- #17 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #21 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #22 Best Online Associate in General Science
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Paradise Valley Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $40,500What is Paradise Valley Community College known for?
Paradise Valley Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Coconino County Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,254Starting Salary: $32,200What is Coconino County Community College known for?
Coconino County Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
8%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Northland Pioneer College
Cost of Degree: $2,428Starting Salary: $31,300What is Northland Pioneer College known for?
Northland Pioneer College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
26%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Mohave Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,136Starting Salary: $32,900What is Mohave Community College known for?
Mohave Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
19%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at GateWay Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $39,000What is GateWay Community College known for?
GateWay Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
17%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at South Mountain Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $33,400What is South Mountain Community College known for?
South Mountain Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
18%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Estrella Mountain Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Starting Salary: $37,700What is Estrella Mountain Community College known for?
Estrella Mountain Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
17%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for degree at Chandler–Gilbert Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,070Expenses: $23,145Starting Salary: $45,800Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Chandler–Gilbert Community College known for?
Chandler–Gilbert Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Tuition + fees
$1K
Graduation
5%
Student body
1K
2021 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
- Diné College
- Eastern Arizona College
- Mesa Community College
- Scottsdale Community College
- Yavapai College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College
- Glendale Community College
- South Mountain Community College
- Central Arizona College
- Northland Pioneer College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Rio Salado College
- GateWay Community College
- Cochise College
- Mohave Community College
- Tohono Oʼodham Community College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- Arizona Western College
- Coconino County Community College
- Chandler–Gilbert Community College