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In 2023, the rate of graduation from high school students in Arizona who graduated in four years was 76%. As more students finish high school, they will look towards colleges and graduate programs as the next steps to take in their academic careers.
Arizona offers a number of vastly different colleges and universities throughout the state, providing quality education to incoming students. Top-ranked Arizona universities deliver impressive academics, flourishing student life, and other great qualities, which attract students native to the state and those from elsewhere for secondary education.
When faced with the vast number of colleges in Arizona, it can seem impossible to make a decision. Do you want to prioritize academics? Are you looking for rigorous online programs or a beautiful campus experience? Is a diverse student body more important? Are you passionate about athletics? Identify schools that reflect your core values and begin to narrow your list down from there.
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The Best Public Colleges in Arizona
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Students enrolled: 53,187
Acceptance rate: 85%
The University of Arizona is a top public school in the state and ranks among the top 50 public universities in the nation. This institution is also a top 20 public research university. Its online bachelor's programs are highly rated nationally.
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 57,144 at the main Tempe campus, 145,655 across online and in-person programs.
Acceptance rate: 88%
Arizona State University is among the best public universities in Arizona. It has been ranked #1 in the US for innovation, global impact, and online programs in business. It is also among the top 10 in the US for first-year experiences and undergraduate teaching. This institution also offers a robust range of online degree programs.
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Create Free ProfileNorthern Arizona University
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Students enrolled: 28,194
Acceptance rate: 78.4%
Northern Arizona University is an excellent public school in Arizona. The school offers a wide range of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs and online classes.
Learn the best time to visit colleges so you can explore college campuses and gain a better understanding of where you'd like to attend college.
The Best Community Colleges in Arizona
Eastern Arizona College
Location: Thatcher, AZ
Students enrolled: 4,392
Acceptance rate: 100%
Eastern Arizona College is a well-rated public community college. The school offers a number of online courses and career-centered programs and has a department dedicated to helping students make career decisions.
GateWay Community College
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Students enrolled: 4,670
Acceptance rate: 100%
GateWay Community College is an excellent community college, offering more than 160 degrees, certificates, and trade, technical, and workforce training options. The school also encourages students to be involved with campus life.
Scottsdale Community College
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Students enrolled: 7,634
Acceptance rate: 100%
Scottsdale Community College is a robust public college in Arizona. It offers many opportunities to prospective students, along with dual enrollment options for high school students.
The Best Private Colleges in Arizona
Grand Canyon University
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Students enrolled: 65,870
Acceptance rate: 83%
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Arizona. This institution has a robust offering of online programs in addition to its on-campus offerings while also offering the same tuition rate for in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
Arizona Christian University
Location: Glendale, AZ
Students enrolled: 1,082
Acceptance rate: 75.9%
Arizona Christian University is a small private Christian university in Arizona. It is ranked among the top 15 best-value schools and continues to rank among the top 20 regional colleges in the West.
University of Advancing Technology
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 851
Acceptance rate: 91.2%
The University of Advancing Technology is a small private school that focuses on advancing technology in higher education. They offer programs in business and innovation, creation and simulation, cyber security, digital arts, game studies, and software engineering.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Location: Prescott, AZ
Students enrolled: 3,120
Acceptance rate: 65%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a state-of-the-art Aeronautical school that combines experiential learning opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and expert faculty. It was recently ranked the #1 institution in regional colleges of the West and the #1 best college for veterans.
Best Colleges for Business in Arizona
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 57,144 at the main Tempe campus, 145,655 across online and in-person programs.
Acceptance rate: 88%
Arizona State University is among the top colleges and best public universities in Arizona. The college's School of Business offers a number of bachelor's degree programs related to business.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Location: Prescott, AZ
Students enrolled: 3,120
Acceptance rate: 65%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a state-of-the-art Aeronautical school. The college's School of Business offers four business degrees, some related directly to Aviation studies and some general business degrees.
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Students enrolled: 53,187
Acceptance rate: 85%
The University of Arizona is a top public school in the state and ranks among the top 50 public universities in the nation. This institution is also a top 20 public research university. Their public undergraduate business program is ranked #20.
Grand Canyon University
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Students enrolled: 65,870
Acceptance rate: 83%
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Arizona. This institution has a robust offering of online programs in addition to its on-campus offerings while also offering the same tuition rate for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. Their school of business offers a variety of business majors and minors.
Best Colleges for Medicine in Arizona
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Students enrolled: 53,187
Acceptance rate: 85%
The University of Arizona is a top public school in the state and ranks among the top 50 public universities in the nation. This institution is also a top 20 public research university. Their School of Medicine emphasizes a holistic approach to the human body and medical knowledge.
Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health
Location: Mesa, AZ
Students enrolled: 6,295 first-year enrollees
Acceptance rate: Not reported
The Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health is a part of the AT Still University of Health Sciences, which has three campuses. While the other campuses are located outside of Arizona, they offer education in other fields of medicine. This institution aims to educate community-minded dental providers to serve populations in need.
Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences
Location: Phoenix/Scottsdale, AZ
Students enrolled: 210
Acceptance rate: Not reported
The Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences has several campuses around the nation, one of which is located in Arizona. The school serves 1.3 million patients, has 22 core research labs, and employs 4,270 research personnel. The school enrolls more than 4,300 students and has more than 400 programs.
Best Colleges for Psychology in Arizona
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 57,144 at the main Tempe campus and 145,655 across online and in-person programs.
Acceptance rate: 88%
Arizona State University is among the best public universities in Arizona. It has been ranked #1 in the US for innovation, global impact, and online programs in business. Their College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a number of Psychology degrees, including General Psychology, Forensic Psychology, and Psychological Science.
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Students enrolled: 53,187
Acceptance rate: 85%
The University of Arizona is a top public school in the state and ranks among the top 50 public universities in the nation. This institution is also a top 20 public research university. Their Psychology department focuses its research towards the goals of promoting healthy minds, healthy brains, and healthy lives.
Northern Arizona University
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Students enrolled: 28,194
Acceptance rate: 78.4%
Northern Arizona University is an excellent public school in Arizona. Their Psychology department offers a number of different degrees and concentration certificates.
Prescott College
Location: Prescott, AZ
Students enrolled: 317
Acceptance rate: 99%
Prescott College is a small private school where Psychology is one of its most popular majors. Their bachelor's degree in Psychology offers five areas of emphasis, including Critical Psychology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Expressive Art Therapy, Ecopsychology, and Counseling.
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Best Colleges in Arizona for Engineering
University of Arizona
Location: Tucson, AZ
Students enrolled: 53,187
Acceptance rate: 85%
The University of Arizona is a top public school in the state and ranks among the top 50 public universities in the nation. This institution is also a top 20 public research university. Their College of Engineering offers programs in systems and industrial engineering, biomedical engineering, and electrical and computer engineering.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Location: Prescott, AZ
Students enrolled: 3,120
Acceptance rate: 65%
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a state-of-the-art Aeronautical school. Their College of Engineering has three departments: Aerospace engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer, Electrical, & Software Engineering.
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 57,144 at the main Tempe campus and 145,655 across online and in-person programs.
Acceptance rate: 88%
Arizona State University is among the best public universities in Arizona. It has been ranked #1 in the US for innovation, global impact, and online programs in business. This institution offers over a dozen different engineering degrees and concentrations, both in-person and online.
Northern Arizona University
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Students enrolled: 28,194
Acceptance rate: 78.4%
Northern Arizona University is an excellent public university in Arizona that offers a world-class education. The College of Engineering, Informatics, and Applied Sciences offers several different degrees in engineering.
Best Colleges for Nursing in Arizona
Northern Arizona University
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Students enrolled: 28,194
Acceptance rate: 78.4%
Northern Arizona University is an excellent public university in Arizona. They offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing, and undergraduate applicants can look forward to choosing what program fits their unique needs best.
Grand Canyon University
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Students enrolled: 65,870
Acceptance rate: 83%
Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Arizona. This institution has a robust offering of online programs in addition to its on-campus offerings. Their online nursing program was the third most popular nationwide in 2023.
Arizona State University
Location: Tempe, AZ
Students enrolled: 57,144 at the main Tempe campus and 145,655 across online and in-person programs.
Acceptance rate: 88%
Arizona State University is among the best public universities in Arizona. It has been ranked #1 in the US for innovation, global impact, and online programs in business. It is also among the top 10 in the US for first-year experiences and undergraduate teaching. The school has several locations which provide nursing education to students.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Colleges
Is community college free in Arizona?
No, however, Arizona students can attain a college degree at more affordable prices through a special program for residents. The Arizona Promise Program provides financial aid opportunities to students who cannot cover the cost of tuition and fees. The award amount covers the cost of in-state tuition and fees after other financial aid is awarded. To lower the cost of attending college, you can apply for scholarships just for Arizona students by signing up at Bold.org.
How much is college in Arizona?
The average annual cost of attendance was $24,681 for in-state students, including room and board, while tuition for out-of-state students was nearly double.
Applying for scholarships is an easy way to lower the cost of attending college. You can hone your scholarship research to those most relevant to your goals and background by searching for scholarships by major or searching by state, age, and demographic information. To begin your scholarship search, check out these top Arizona scholarships!
How to establish residency in Arizona for college
General requirements include:
- Proof you have maintained a physical presence in Arizona for one year.
- Proof you have the intent to live in Arizona beyond the circumstance of being a student.
- Provide evidence of one year of financial independence.
Requirements may differ between universities.
Here at Bold.org, we are committed to helping students eliminate student debt. Check out our Scholarship Blog for more information and learn how to apply for scholarships today!