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Best Schools in Arizona

2023 Best Schools in Arizona

23 Schools Ranked
$49,924 Average Earnings
$26,301 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

The Best Schools in Arizona ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 23 schools in Arizona to see which programs offered the best educational experiences for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Arizona

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Rio Salado College

Tempe, Arizona
4,187 Total Awards
$48,564 Average Earnings

Our 2023 rankings named Rio Salado College the best school in Arizona for students working on their degree. Rio Salado College is located in Tempe, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In , this school awarded 4,187 degrees to qualified students.

Once they receive their degree, Rio Salado College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,564 during the early year of their career.

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627 Total Awards
$64,690 Average Earnings
$67,141 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Prescott. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Schools in Arizona list. Located in Prescott, Arizona, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 627 degrees in .

On average, students take out $67,141 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Embry-Riddle Prescott, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $64,690 during the early years of their career.

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#3

Arizona State University - Skysong

Scottsdale, Arizona
15,446 Total Awards
$55,793 Average Earnings
$34,478 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at Arizona State University - Skysong helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Arizona. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, the large public school awarded 15,446 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,478 in student loans. During the early years of their career, ASU - Skysong graduates make an average of $55,793 annually.

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24,639 Total Awards
$60,453 Average Earnings
$12,835 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend University of Phoenix - Arizona. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. UOPX - Arizona is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a large student population. In , this school awarded 24,639 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from UOPX - Arizona accumulate an average of $12,835 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, UOPX - Arizona graduates make an average of $60,453 annually.

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#5

Mesa Community College

Mesa, Arizona
5,174 Total Awards
$54,730 Average Earnings
$25,271 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mesa Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Schools in Arizona list. Mesa Community College is a fairly large public school located in Mesa, Arizona that handed out 5,174 degrees in .

On average, students take out $25,271 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Mesa Community College graduates make an average of $54,730 annually.

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22,496 Total Awards
$55,876 Average Earnings
$37,963 Avg Student Debt

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school located in Tempe, Arizona that handed out 22,496 degrees in .

On average, students take out $37,963 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from ASU - Tempe, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,876 during the early years of their career.

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#7

Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale, Arizona
1,239 Total Awards
$48,039 Average Earnings
$15,718 Avg Student Debt

Scottsdale Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arizona ranking. Scottsdale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,239 students in .

On average, students take out $15,718 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Scottsdale Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,039 during the early year of their career.

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#8

Ottawa University - Phoenix

Phoenix, <nil>
$51,615 Average Earnings
$21,460 Avg Student Debt

Ottawa University - Phoenix came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arizona ranking.

Degree recipients from Ottawa University - Phoenix accumulate an average of $21,460 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Ottawa University - Phoenix, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,615 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Grand Canyon University

Phoenix, Arizona
27,272 Total Awards
$56,285 Average Earnings
$21,418 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Grand Canyon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution located in Phoenix, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27,272 degrees in .

On average, students take out $21,418 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Grand Canyon University graduates make an average of $56,285 annually.

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#10

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
12,079 Total Awards
$50,834 Average Earnings
$45,648 Avg Student Debt

University of Arizona did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #10 on the list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12,079 degrees in .

Degree recipients from University of Arizona accumulate an average of $45,648 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from University of Arizona, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,834 during the early years of their career.

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#11

Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona
1,243 Total Awards
$48,826 Average Earnings

Central Arizona College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. This medium-sized public school is located in Coolidge, Arizona, and it awarded 1,243 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Pinal County Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,826 during the early year of their career.

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#12

DeVry University - Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
34 Total Awards
$59,134 Average Earnings
$16,846 Avg Student Debt

DeVry University - Arizona landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. DeVry University - Arizona is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a very small student population. In , this school awarded 34 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,846 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, DeVry University - Arizona graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $59,134 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Phoenix College

Phoenix, Arizona
2,169 Total Awards
$51,053 Average Earnings
$15,744 Avg Student Debt

Phoenix College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. Phoenix College is a fairly large public school situated in Phoenix, Arizona. It awarded 2,169 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Phoenix College accumulate an average of $15,744 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Phoenix College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,053 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Eastern Arizona College

Thatcher, Arizona
1,112 Total Awards
$40,304 Average Earnings

Eastern Arizona College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. This medium-sized public school is located in Thatcher, Arizona, and it awarded 1,112 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Eastern Arizona College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,304 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
7,797 Total Awards
$47,056 Average Earnings
$34,501 Avg Student Debt

Northern Arizona University landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. This large public school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 7,797 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $34,501 in student loans. During the early years of their career, NAU graduates make an average of $47,056 annually.

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#16

GateWay Community College

Phoenix, Arizona
1,922 Total Awards
$50,350 Average Earnings
$15,498 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #16, GateWay Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. GateWay Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 1,922 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,498 in student loans.After graduating from GateWay Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $50,350 during the early years of their career.

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1,987 Total Awards
$40,712 Average Earnings
$19,758 Avg Student Debt

Cochise County Community College District ranked #17 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. Cochise College is a public institution located in Sierra Vista, Arizona. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,987 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Cochise College accumulate an average of $19,758 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Cochise College graduates make an average of $40,712 annually.

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#18

Mohave Community College

Kingman, Arizona
968 Total Awards
$54,785 Average Earnings
$10,580 Avg Student Debt

Mohave Community College came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arizona ranking. Kingman, Arizona is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 968 students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $10,580 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, MCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $54,785 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Yavapai College

Prescott, Arizona
1,816 Total Awards
$52,087 Average Earnings

Yavapai College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arizona ranking. Yavapai College is a medium-sized public school located in Prescott, Arizona that handed out 1,816 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Yavapai College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $52,087 during the early year of their career.

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#20

Pima Community College

Tucson, Arizona
4,625 Total Awards
$40,977 Average Earnings
$13,819 Avg Student Debt

Pima Community College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 4,625 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Pima County Community College District accumulate an average of $13,819 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Pima County Community College District graduates make an average of $40,977 annually.

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#21

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona
1,895 Total Awards
$44,895 Average Earnings

Arizona Western College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Located in Yuma, Arizona, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,895 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, AWC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,895 during the early year of their career.

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#22

Glendale Community College

Glendale, Arizona
3,380 Total Awards
$51,483 Average Earnings
$13,652 Avg Student Debt

Glendale Community College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Schools in Arizona list. This fairly large public school is located in Glendale, Arizona, and it awarded 3,380 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Glendale Community College accumulate an average of $13,652 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Glendale Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $51,483 during the early year of their career.

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5,101 Total Awards
$43,008 Average Earnings
$12,157 Avg Student Debt

American InterContinental University - Online came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Arizona ranking. Chandler, Arizona is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out degrees to 5,101 students in .

On average, students take out $12,157 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, AIU Online graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,008 during the early year of their career.

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Best Schools in the Southwest Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 23 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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