Best Community Colleges in Arizona 2025
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.
Key Takeaways
- Many top community colleges in Arizona, such as those in the Maricopa County Community College District, offer clear and streamlined transfer agreements with Arizona State University and the University of Arizona, allowing students to transfer credits seamlessly into four-year degree programs.
- Arizona’s community colleges often take advantage of the unique desert ecosystem by offering specialized programs in environmental science, sustainability, and conservation, with hands-on learning in local parks, wildlife reserves, and desert research stations.
- Many Arizona community colleges provide extensive training in high-demand fields such as solar energy technology, cybersecurity, and software development, offering certifications and internships with local tech companies to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce.
Best Community Colleges in Arizona in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top ten schools in our ranking of the best community colleges in Arizona saw a substantial amount of movement. Eastern Arizona College, in particular, was able to rise to the second ranking position as a result of the college created the Renewable Energy Program, which includes new courses and hands-on training in solar and wind energy technologies, taking advantage of Arizona’s natural environment. The college has also upgraded its STEM facilities, adding advanced labs for engineering, robotics, and computer science to better equip students for careers in tech-driven industries.
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
- #11 50 Best Community Colleges for Future Success in 2025 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
24K
Career Outlook for degree at Mesa Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting 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
49%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at Eastern Arizona College
Cost of Degree: $2,352Expenses: $12,076Starting 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
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
12%
Student body
14K
Career Outlook for degree at Phoenix College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting Salary: $36,000What is Phoenix College known for?
Phoenix College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in Biology #4 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025 #6 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
Other Rankings
- #7 Best Online Associate in Anthropology
- #8 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #9 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #9 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #12 Best Online Associate in English 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
- #15 Best Online Associate in Education
- #17 Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity
- #17 Best Online Associate in Health Information Technology & Informatics
- #18 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
- #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: $2,370Starting Salary: $35,000What is Pima Community College known for?
Pima Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
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:
- #4 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #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: $2,838Expenses: $14,516Starting 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 2025 #18 Best Online Associate in Computer Science Degree Programs 2025
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
25%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Cochise College
Cost of Degree: $2,232Expenses: $14,262Starting Salary: $34,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
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:
- #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #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: $2,358Starting 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: $2,250Expenses: $13,201Starting Salary: $31,500Cost Recoup Time: 10 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
$2K
Graduation
12%
Student body
21K
Career Outlook for degree at Glendale Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting 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
- #2 Best Online Associate in Agribusiness Degree Programs 2025 #7 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #7 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #7 Best Online Associate in Biology
Other Rankings
- #8 Best Online Associate in Graphic Design 2025
- #8 Best Online Associate in Building and Construction Degree Programs
- #10 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #13 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #18 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #20 Best Online Associate's in History Degrees 2025
- #20 Best Online Associate in Mathematics 2025
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
21%
Student body
12K
Career Outlook for degree at Arizona Western College
Cost of Degree: $2,820Expenses: $16,508Starting Salary: $32,000Cost Recoup Time: 12 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
- #8 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #8 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025 #8 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: $2,358Starting Salary: $43,400What is Rio Salado College known for?
Rio Salado 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
19%
Student body
7K
Career Outlook for degree at GateWay Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting Salary: $39,000What is GateWay Community College known for?
GateWay Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #9 Best Online Associate Degrees in Arizona 2025 #9 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #9 Best Online Associate in Philosophy #9 Best Online Associate in Game Development
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Online Associate in Biology
- #10 Best Online Associate in Gender Studies
- #12 Best Online Associate's in Physics 2025
- #12 Best Online Associate in Web Design
- #13 Best Online Associate in Economics
- #17 Best Online Associate in Political Science 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Emergency Management 2025
- #17 Best Online Associate in Sociology
- #21 Best Online Associate in Fire Science Degree Programs
- #24 Best Online Associate's in General Science 2025
Tuition + fees
$2K
Graduation
13%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Paradise Valley Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting Salary: $40,500What is Paradise Valley Community College known for?
Paradise Valley 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: $2,358Starting Salary: $37,700What is Estrella Mountain Community College known for?
Estrella Mountain 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
17%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at South Mountain Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Starting 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
17%
Student body
18K
Career Outlook for degree at Chandler–Gilbert Community College
Cost of Degree: $2,358Expenses: $22,848Starting 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 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 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