Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
Public colleges and universities account for almost 75 percent of all undergraduate students in the U.S. The best public colleges in Arizona provide broad access to reputable degree programs, affordable tuition, and sprawling educational communities.
10 Best Public Colleges in Arizona
- Northern Arizona University 20 to 1
- Arizona State University 19 to 1
- University of Arizona 17 to 1
- University of Arizona $11,210
- Arizona State University $10,978
- Northern Arizona University $10,644
- University of Arizona $12,348
- Arizona State University $12,014
- Northern Arizona University $11,103
- University of Arizona 17 to 1
- Arizona State University 19 to 1
- Northern Arizona University 20 to 1
- Northern Arizona University $10,644
- Arizona State University $10,978
- University of Arizona $11,210
- Northern Arizona University $11,103
- Arizona State University $12,014
- University of Arizona $12,348
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
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of public colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 3 public universities in Arizona. To be included in our list of the best public colleges in Arizona, shcools must receive direct funding from the state, be fully accredited, and offer a broad range of bachelor’s degress.
Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2023
- #3 15 Best Online Colleges for Veterans to Start Their Careers #19 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024 #22 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2024 #1 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #23 Best Research Universities for Criminal Justice Degrees
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Digital Media for 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of History Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Biology 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Organizational Leadership Degree Programs
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Accounting 2025
- #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 Early Childhood Education Degree Programs for 2025
- #1 Best Online Master's in Agriculture and Agribusiness Degree Programs
- #1 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity
- #1 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Law and Legal Studies Degree Programs for 2025
- #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 Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona 2025
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Electrical and Computer Engineering Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s in Child Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Psychology Degree Programs for Students
- #1 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Web Design Degree Programs 2025
- #2 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
- #2 Best Online Master's Degrees in Accounting 2025
- #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
- #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 MBAs in Finance
- #2 Best Online MBA in Marketing Degree Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona
- #3 Best Online Doctorate in Education Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #3 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #4 Best Online Master's in Marketing and Advertising
- #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 Best Online Master's in Economics
- #4 Top 15 Most Affordable Online Economics PhD Programs (Doctorates) 2024
- #4 Top 18 Most Affordable No GRE Online PhD Degree Programs
- #5 Fastest Online Bachelor's Degrees Ranked for 2025
- #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)
- #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
- #6 Best Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Degree Programs Ranked for 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
- #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
- #2 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024
- #2 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #1 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
- #1 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Forensic Psychology Programs
- #1 Best Online Bachelor’s of Graphic Arts Degree Programs for 2025
- #1 Top 5 Best Online Criminal Justice Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Healthcare Administration
- #1 15 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Psychology Programs
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Arizona
- #1 Most Affordable Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhD Programs
- #2 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Human Development Degree Programs for 2024
- #2 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of English Programs
- #2 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
- #2 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #2 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Arizona 2025
- #2 Best Online Master's in English
- #2 Top 10 Best Online Bachelor's of Web Design Degree Programs 2025
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Administration Degree Programs
- #3 The Best Online Colleges Ranked for Students in 2024
- #3 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #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 Master's in Special Education
- #3 Online Colleges That Start Anytime and the Benefits of a Self-Paced Education
- #4 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity 2025
- #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
- #4 20 Fastest Accelerated Online English Doctorates (PhDs) 2024
- #4 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master’s of Computer Science
- #4 Best Online Master's in Cybersecurity
- #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Nevada
- #5 Most Affordable Online Sociology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #6 Best Online Master's in Computer Science Degree Programs
- #6 Best Online Master’s in Engineering
- #7 Best Data Science Online Master’s Programs 2025
- #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 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
- #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Research Universities in Arizona 2024
- #3 Best Online Bachelor’s in Public Administration Degree Programs for 2025
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2024
- #3 Best Online Master's Programs in Arizona 2024
- #5 Top 20 Most Affordable Online PhD of Nursing (DNP) Programs
- #6 Best Online Master's in English
- #6 Best Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology Degree Programs for 2024
- #8 11 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Speech Pathology
- #9 Best Online Bachelor’s of Health Science Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #9 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
- #10 Best Online Master's in Project Management 2025
- #10 Best Online Bachelor's in Social Work Degree Programs Ranked for 2025
- #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 2025
- #13 Best Online Bachelor's in Interdisciplinary Studies 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 in Liberal Arts and Humanities Degree Programs for 2025
- #19 Best Online Master’s in Communications
- #20 Best Online Bachelor’s of Communications Degree Programs for 2025
- #21 Best Online Master's in Organizational Leadership
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
Arizona’s Best Public College in Your Area of Interest
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.
Check out our directory of public colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top public colleges in every state.