Arizona’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
What are the best colleges and universities in Arizona if you reward schools for making the best use of their limited resources? Academic Stewardship asks how effectively schools manage their financial and human resources to gain the influence that makes them academically excellent. Schools that are exemplary in Academic Stewardship are doing everything in their power to help students and faculty achieve their full potential.
Colleges and universities in Arizona deserve to be recognized when they do more with less. It’s impressive when a large wealthy school can spend money lavishly on expensive buildings and programs. But it’s even more impressive when a small school with limited means is able to train and inspire students that the larger wealthier schools tend to ignore.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities reported in late 2021 that almost 75 percent of higher-education professionals at US colleges and universities felt financial constraints prevented their schools from effectively attracting students. Distracted by the size and amenities of larger schools, prospective students tended especially to be overawed by the big research universities.
Arizona’s smaller colleges, especially its liberal arts colleges, need effective ways of communicating their value to a world that celebrates “bigger is better” and “you need the best.” Unfortunately, most college ranking companies, such as U.S. News & World Report, define “best” in a way that devalues schools with smaller budgets and fewer students even when these schools do remarkable work in advancing their students’ education. By and large, college rankings penalize schools that serve underserved populations.
Inspired by Malcolm Gladwell, who for years now has criticized conventional college rankings for misrepresenting what’s good and valuable in education, we decided to construct a new ranking metric that highlights those schools that do more with less. That metric—called the Academic Stewardship metric—takes away both the size and the wealth advantage of schools, and focuses instead on how well schools use the resources available to them to advance the education of their students.
How We Measure the Academic Stewardship of Arizona’s Colleges and Universities
As a metric, Academic Stewardship is defined by a precise mathematical formula, which can be found in our Academic Stewardship white paper. Measuring the Academic Stewardship of Arizona’s colleges requires measuring two forms of stewardship: 1) Stewardship of financial resources (using the money they have responsibility without waste) and 2) Stewardship of human resources (doing their best to help students, faculty, and administration to flourish). Together, these two types of stewardship form what we call Academic Stewardship. If you want to learn more about the factors involved in Academic Stewardship, click the more button below.
- Stewardship of financial resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of financial resources, we factored in its undergraduate size, budget, endowments and reserves, as well as tuition and fees. All these data are available from the National Center for Educational Statistics Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. In addition, we factored in a school’s financial responsibility as gauged by the Federal Student Aid Office at the US Department of Education through its financial responsibility composite scores.
- Stewardship of human resources: To determine a school’s stewardship of human resources, we used our InfluenceRanking engine to track the influence of the school’s faculty and alumni but also to control for size of the undergraduate student body. We’ve found that measuring a school’s influence based on the contributions of faculty and alumni make in their fields of study but then also controlling for size of the undergraduate population is the single best indicator of academic excellence. We call this Concentrated Influence. Schools that rank highly in Concentrated Influence are schools that, given their available human resources, invest heavily in their students and faculty, and the results are demonstrable.
- We measure the influence of colleges and universities based on the publications and citations of the schools’ faculty and alumni who are teaching in and working in areas related to their degrees. To do this, we take publicly available databases, such as Semantic Scholar, Crossref, and Wikipedia and use these to measure the influence of academics in their disciplines. Having measured the influence of persons, we then identify the schools that they’re affiliated with, adding up the influence scores of the faculty and alumni to measure the influence of the schools and their disciplinary programs. Finally, we control these influence scores by size of undergraduate student body so that schools do not score high in influence simply because of a size advantage. We lay out these methodological considerations on our methodology page.
- Academic Stewardship: Having measured a school’s stewardship of financial and human resources in the two previous points, we now divide the second measure by the first to define the Academic Stewardship metric. This metric spotlights smaller schools, with fewer financial resources and people, that invest wisely and do proportionately better in building influence than large wealthy schools. Many of these smaller, less wealthy schools are incentivized to make better use of their resources but would never get recognized in conventional school rankings, which directly or indirectly put a premium on the wealth of schools.
Academic Stewardship as so defined is connected to keeping tuition and other costs down, but it should not be confused with affordability or frugality. The schools that this metric ranks as exemplary academic stewards tend to be all over the map when it comes to tuition and other costs. At issue is the influence of schools given the financial and human resources they have on hand. If a school is going to charge more for tuition, then that needs to be reflected in the school having proportionately greater influence.
Why Academic Stewardship Matters to Students and Their Families
The benefits of attending a school with strong academic stewardship include:
- A clear reason for why students are at the school in the first place. Without the distraction of amenities and luxuries, these schools are at once unpretentious but also passionately committed to their educational mission. The schools in this ranking are financially efficient and academically rigorous. By avoiding frills, these schools take the most direct path to accomplishing their mission of educating students.
- Valuing character over prestige and self-indulgence. A school that’s a good steward of its resources doesn’t instill shame in its students over what they are missing (such as elite cuisine) but rather pride in what they have and making the most of it. These schools exhibit a culture of good stewardship, which tends to build good character in the students that attend these schools.
- Avoiding the spoiled-student syndrome. It’s easy to think that offering students endless options and opportunities will enrich their time at school in every way. But spoiling people—whether in business, sports, or academics—has the opposite effect, causing people to take their advantages for granted and in the end achieving less than they might otherwise, a point well-documented in Daniel Coyle’s The Talent Code. Schools exhibiting academic stewardship avoid this pitfall.
- The best schools vs. the schools that help students to be their best. Students at schools demonstrating outstanding academic stewardship aren’t so much concerned about being at the “best” school, whatever that may mean, as about being at a school that helps them to be their best. These schools pay attention to their students, hoping that any glory goes to them rather than to the school. Small schools, and especially liberal arts colleges, help themselves by communicating this advantage to prospective students.
- Emphasizing development over talent and achievement. Schools like Harvard and Stanford have their pick of academic talent, and their students have a long record of achievement even before they apply to such elite schools. But if a school doesn’t have the resources of a Harvard or Stanford, how does it build a great team of students? In that case, it must focus on student development. Colleges exemplifying academic stewardship emphasize student growth and development, ensuring that the schools are doing everything in their power to help students reach their full potential and thereby become their best selves.
Arizona’s Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship
- #3 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #13 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #19 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #23 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Master's in Behavior Analysis Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Philosophy Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Web Design Degree Programs 2024
- #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA in Entrepreneurship Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA in Business Analytics Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Top 20 Best Online Accredited Doctorate Degree Programs (PhDs) 2024
- #2 Best Research Universities with Online Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #2 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Master's of Nursing Programs
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology
- #2 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Best Online MBAs in Finance
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona
- #3 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
- #3 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #4 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
- #4 Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting
- #4 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies
- #4 Best Online Master’s in Engineering Management
- #4 Best Online Master's in Special Education
- #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
- #4 Best Online Master's in Economics
- #4 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s of Human Services Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
- #6 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice
- #7 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
- #7 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
- #8 Top 50 Best No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs (Doctorates)
- #8 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #9 Best Online Master's in Management
- #10 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
- #11 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #12 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2024
- #13 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates)
- #20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Nursing Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
68%
Student body
54K
Median SAT/ACT
1255/25
Career Outlook for degree at University of Arizona
Cost of Degree: $12,937Expenses: $18,350Starting Salary: $56,000Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Arizona known for?
University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Communications
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Philosophy
- Chemistry
- Business
Most Influential Alumni
University of Arizona’s Online Degrees
BA in Africana Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Administration of Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Care, Health and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Emergency Medical Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Cyber Operations
Degree Concentrations
- Engineering
- Defense & Forensics
- and Cyber Law & Policy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Early Childhood
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Economy and Industry
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies, in Arts, Media and Entertainment
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Global and Intercultural Understanding
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Global Media
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Government and Public Service
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Human Rights Practice
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Human Services
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Required Credits: 128
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIST)
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Literacy, Learning and Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Information Science and ESociety
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Law
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Political Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Regional Commerce
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BAS in Intelligence and Information Operations
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Philosophy: Ethics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Biology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nutritional Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Spanish
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Sports and Society
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Built Environments
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Social Behavior and Human Understanding
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #3 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
- #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
- #6 Best Online Master's in English
- #8 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
- #9 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
- #10 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Nursing Degree Programs
- #10 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #11 Best Online Bachelor’s of Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Master's in Project Management
- #14 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
- #17 Best Online Bachelor's in Public Health Degree Programs for Students
- #17 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #18 Best Online Bachelor’s in Marketing and Advertising Degree Programs for 2024
- #18 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #19 Best Online Master’s in Communications
- #21 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
- #21 Best Online Bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
80%
Graduation
59%
Student body
32K
Career Outlook for degree at Northern Arizona University
Cost of Degree: $11,810Expenses: $16,928Starting Salary: $44,600Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northern Arizona University known for?
Northern Arizona University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Physics
- Earth Sciences
- Criminal Justice
- Anthropology
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Mathematics
- History
- Education
- Engineering
Most Influential Alumni
Northern Arizona University’s Online Degrees
BAS in Applied Science
Degree Concentrations
- Administration
- Emergency Management
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Public Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Education in Career and Technical Education
Degree Concentrations
- Business and Marketing
- Education and Training
- Family and Consumer Science
- Health Careers
- Industrial and Emerging Technologies
- Occupational
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Dental Hygiene
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Information Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences
Degree Concentrations
- Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Therapy
- General Allied Health
- Medical Assisting
- Paramedic Care
- Physical Therapist Assisting
- Respiratory Care
- Surgical Technology
- Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree Concentrations
- Communication General
- Organizational Communication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- Global Business
- Human Resource Management
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management
- Management
- Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Administration
- Early Childhood
- Technology Management
- Humanities
- Public Administration
- Technology Management
- University Studies
- Emergency Management
- Industrial Leadership
- Technology Management
- Justice Studies: Intelligence Studies
- Criminal Justice Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Management
Degree Concentrations
- Health Care
- Entrepreneurship and Business Development
- Human Resource
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Parks and Recreation Management
Degree Concentrations
- Community
- Commercial and Tourism
- Outdoor Education and Leadership
- Park Protection
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Public Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSW in Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2024 #2 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #12 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #22 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024
Other Rankings
- #22 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024
- #2 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #1 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
- #1 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
- #1 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona
- #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration
- #1 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
- #1 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs
- #2 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's in English
- #2 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Web Design Degree Programs 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #3 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #3 Best Online Master's in Special Education
- #3 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
- #4 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science
- #4 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #4 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
- #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2024
- #4 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Nevada
- #5 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #6 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs
- #6 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
- #7 Best Online Degrees for a Career in Teaching Ranked 2024
- #7 Best Online MBA Degree Programs No GRE Required Ranked for 2024
- #8 Most Affordable Online Criminal Justice PhDs (Doctorates)
- #9 The Best Online MBA Degree Programs in 2024 Ranked for Students
- #9 Top 10 Fastest Accelerated Online PhD in Criminal Justice (Doctorates)
- #9 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #10 Top 20 Easiest Online Degrees from Accredited Schools in 2024
- #11 Top 20 Best Online MBA Programs that Can Be Completed in One Year 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2024
- #15 Best Online Master's Programs 2024
- #17 Best Online Master's in Management
- #23 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies
- #1 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
90%
Graduation
67%
Student body
85K
Career Outlook for degree at Arizona State University
Cost of Degree: $11,618Expenses: $19,509Starting Salary: $55,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arizona State University known for?
Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Earth Sciences
- Business
- Engineering
- Education
- Anthropology
- Physics
- Computer Science
- Political Science
- History
- Psychology
Most Influential Alumni
Arizona State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Applied Science
Degree Concentrations
- Project Management
- Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 111-120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Communication
- Sustainability
- Required Credits: 114-120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Educational Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Business
- Community Health
- Family and Human Development
- Global Studies
- Health Innovations
- Personal Health
- Political Science
- Organizational Leadership
- Required Credits: 114-120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Small Colleges Arizona 2024 #5 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024 #9 Best Community Colleges in Arizona 2024
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:
- #1 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arizona 2024 #1 Best Small Colleges Arizona 2024 #2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #5 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #5 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #4 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #7 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #7 Best Online MBAs in Sustainability
- #16 Best Online Master’s in Sustainability and Green Technologies
- #16 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
- #17 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students
- #23 Best Online Bachelor’s of Education Degree Programs for 2024
- #23 Best Online Master’s in Human Services
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
98%
Graduation
55%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Prescott College
Cost of Degree: $35,450Expenses: $12,247Starting Salary: $34,300Cost Recoup Time: 19 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Prescott College known for?
Prescott College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Prescott College’s Online Degrees
BA in Adventure Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Cultural & Regional Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Arts & Humanities
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BFA in Arts & Letters
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Environmental Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Environmental Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Psychology And Human Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Sustainability Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arizona 2024 #4 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2024 #4 Best Small Colleges Arizona 2024 #7 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
Tuition + fees
$40K
Acceptance
68%
Graduation
71%
Student body
3K
Median SAT/ACT
1275/27
Career Outlook for degree at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott
Cost of Degree: $40,464Expenses: $19,694Starting Salary: $70,300Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott known for?
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #8 Online Colleges with the Most Generous Financial Aid in 2024 #1 Best Christian Colleges in Arizona 2024 #1 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2024 #4 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #4 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #1 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Animation Illustration
- #3 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona
- #3 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA in Accounting Degree Programs
- #4 Best Online MBA in Business Analytics Ranked for Students in 2024
- #4 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #4 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #5 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Washington
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration
- #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Cybersecurity
- #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
- #6 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #7 Top 16 Most Affordable Online Counseling PhDs (Doctorates)
- #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Healthcare Administration Masters
- #10 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
- #12 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Business Administration Doctorates
- #15 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
- #17 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
- #9 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
- #14 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
45%
Student body
155K
Career Outlook for degree at Grand Canyon University
Cost of Degree: $17,205Expenses: $14,300Starting Salary: $58,500Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Grand Canyon University known for?
Grand Canyon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Religious Studies
- Education
- Political Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Business
- History
- Communications
- Medical
Most Influential Alumni
Grand Canyon University’s Online Degrees
BS in Behavioral Health Science
Degree Concentrations
- Adolescent Disorders
- Family Dynamics
- Infancy and Early Childhood Studies
- Substance Use Disorders
- Trauma
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Animation and Digital Design
Degree Concentrations
- Web Design
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Entrepreneurship
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Human Resources Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Accounting
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Counseling
Degree Concentrations
- Addiction
- Chemical Dependency
- and Substance Abuse
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Advertising and Marketing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Business Analytics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Business Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Digital Film
Degree Concentrations
- Screenwriting
- Production
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Advertising and Graphic Design Degree
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in History
Degree Concentrations
- Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Programming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity Degree
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in English
Degree Concentrations
- Professional Writing
- Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Entrepreneurship
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Christian Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Biblical Studies
- Global Ministry
- Philosophy
- Worship Leadership
- Youth Ministry
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Government
Degree Concentrations
- Legal Studies
- Public Policy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Hospitality Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Educational Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communications
Degree Concentrations
- Broadcasting New Media
- Interpersonal and Human Relations Emphasis
- Political Campaigns
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
Degree Concentrations
- Christian Education
- English as a Second Language
- STEM
- Teaching Reading
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
Degree Concentrations
- Forensic Psychology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education and Special Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nursuing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Analytics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Degree Concentrations
- Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Education
Degree Concentrations
- Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Mathematics for Secondary Education
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Information Systems
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Justice Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Risk Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Social Media
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sociology
Degree Concentrations
- Social Work
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Finance and Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Public Health
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Sports Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Software Development
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$8K
Graduation
35%
Student body
<1K
What is National Paralegal College known for?
National Paralegal College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
National Paralegal College’s Online Degrees
BA in Business Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Legal Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
55%
Student body
<1K
What is International Baptist College known for?
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Arizona 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Best Small Colleges Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$32K
Acceptance
70%
Graduation
45%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Arizona Christian University
Cost of Degree: $31,846Expenses: $19,300Starting Salary: $34,900Cost Recoup Time: 20 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Arizona Christian University known for?
Arizona Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Arizona Christian University’s Online Degrees
BA in Behavioral Health
Degree Concentrations
- Counseling
- Coaching
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication
- Required Credits: 36
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Biblical and Theological Studies
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Accounting
- Economics
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Marketing
- Management
- Non-Profit Management
- Sports Management
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Family Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Marriage and Family Practicum
- Family Counseling
- Human Sexuality
- Psychology of Marriage
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Psychology
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS/BA in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Required Credits: 30
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
What is Southwest University of Visual Arts known for?
Southwest University of Visual Arts’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #5 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Animation Illustration #6 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
Tuition + fees
$19K
Acceptance
92%
Graduation
45%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at University of Advancing Technology
Cost of Degree: $18,708Expenses: $11,550Starting Salary: $57,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Advancing Technology known for?
University of Advancing Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
University of Advancing Technology’s Online Degrees
BS in Advancing Computer Science
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Data Science
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Digital Maker and Fabrication
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Digital Video
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Game Design
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Game Programming
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Computer Interaction (HCI)
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Game Art and Animation
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business Technology
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Digital Marketing
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Robotics and Embedded Systems
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Network Engineering
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Network Security
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Technologies Studies
- Required Credits: None Reported
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Virtual Reality
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Arizona’s Best Colleges in Your Area of Interest
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