Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2024

Badge for BEST IN ARIZONA GRADUATE SCHOOLS
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
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Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Arizona offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Arizona

Sort by:
  1. University of Arizona
  2. Arizona State University
  3. Northern Arizona University
  4. Grand Canyon University
  5. Prescott College
  1. University of Arizona
  2. Arizona State University
  3. Northern Arizona University
  4. Grand Canyon University
  5. Prescott College
  1. Prescott College 98%
  2. Arizona State University 90%
  3. University of Arizona 87%
  4. Northern Arizona University 80%
  5. Grand Canyon University 78%
  1. Northern Arizona University 20 to 1
  2. Grand Canyon University 20 to 1
  3. Arizona State University 19 to 1
  4. University of Arizona 17 to 1
  5. Prescott College 9 to 1
  1. Prescott College $35,450
  2. Grand Canyon University $17,800
  3. University of Arizona $11,210
  4. Arizona State University $10,978
  5. Northern Arizona University $10,644
  1. Prescott College $16,824
  2. University of Arizona $12,348
  3. Arizona State University $12,014
  4. Northern Arizona University $11,103
  5. Grand Canyon University $10,655
  1. Prescott College
  2. Grand Canyon University
  3. Northern Arizona University
  4. Arizona State University
  5. University of Arizona
  1. Prescott College
  2. Grand Canyon University
  3. Northern Arizona University
  4. Arizona State University
  5. University of Arizona
  1. Grand Canyon University 78%
  2. Northern Arizona University 80%
  3. University of Arizona 87%
  4. Arizona State University 90%
  5. Prescott College 98%
  1. Prescott College 9 to 1
  2. University of Arizona 17 to 1
  3. Arizona State University 19 to 1
  4. Northern Arizona University 20 to 1
  5. Grand Canyon University 20 to 1
  1. Northern Arizona University $10,644
  2. Arizona State University $10,978
  3. University of Arizona $11,210
  4. Grand Canyon University $17,800
  5. Prescott College $35,450
  1. Grand Canyon University $10,655
  2. Northern Arizona University $11,103
  3. Arizona State University $12,014
  4. University of Arizona $12,348
  5. Prescott College $16,824

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?

Arizona’s Best Overall


Arizona's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 5 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Arizona. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Arizona is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2023

  1. #1

    University of Arizona

    Tucson , AZ
    #4 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

    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: $12,937
    Expenses: $18,350
    Starting Salary: $56,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Arizona known for?

    University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Arizona State University

    Tempe , AZ
    #2 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2024 #2 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #6 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #22 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    85K

    Career Outlook for degree at Arizona State University

    Cost of Degree: $11,618
    Expenses: $19,509
    Starting Salary: $55,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Arizona State University known for?

    Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Northern Arizona University

    Flagstaff , AZ
    #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2024 #3 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    80%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    32K

    Career Outlook for degree at Northern Arizona University

    Cost of Degree: $11,810
    Expenses: $16,928
    Starting Salary: $44,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Northern Arizona University known for?

    Northern Arizona University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Grand Canyon University

    Phoenix , AZ
    #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

    Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    78%

    Graduation

    45%

    Student body

    155K

    Career Outlook for degree at Grand Canyon University

    Cost of Degree: $17,205
    Expenses: $14,300
    Starting Salary: $58,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Grand Canyon University known for?

    Grand Canyon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
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Arizona’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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.

  1. University of Arizona
  2. Arizona State University
  3. Northern Arizona University
  4. Grand Canyon University
  5. Prescott College
  6. Phoenix Seminary
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