Best Colleges in Arizona

Arizona has a desert climate and is home to 27 federally-recognized Native American tribes. Colleges in Arizona are scattered across the state and include 4-year, 2-year, and graduate options. Manufacturing, mining, and tourism are the leading industries for the state, but it is also home to one of the fastest growing bioscience and healthcare industries in the nation. Main attractions in Arizona include the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, and the state capital, Phoenix.

How Were the Top Schools in Arizona Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

Explore the Best Universities in Arizona with Appily!

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From its main campus in downtown Phoenix, the Thunderbird School of Global Management is an international business school affiliated with Arizona State University. Thunderbird offers two bachelor’s degrees in Global Management and Science in...

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Established in 1981, International Baptist College and Seminary is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Chandler, Arizona. IBCS offers a certificate in Biblical Studies, an associate’s degree in Bible and Christian Service, a bachelor’s...

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American InterContinental University is a for-profit college with campuses in Houston and Atlanta. AIU confers bachelor’s degrees in seven fields of study and associate degrees in Business Administration and Criminal Justice. The university makes...

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Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in the state of Arizona. Along with its main campus in Chandler, the college also maintains satellite locations in Mesa, Sun Lakes, and Queen Creek. The Student Life at CGCC...

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Very small classes compared to a university and easy to connect with your professor.

” – Ashley from Gilbert, AZ
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Established in 1992, Estrella Mountain Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in Avondale, Arizona, with satellite facilities also located in Buckeye. EMCC is a member of the Maricopa Community College District, serving a student...

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I started college the summer before my sophomore year in high school. I was 14 years old and the professor astonished me, I was learning so much!

” – Yolanda from Litchfield Park, AZ
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GateWay Community College Arizona is a public, 2-year institution established in Phoenix, and it is a member of the Maricopa County Community College District. GateWay offers over 150 academic programs, including associate’s degree and certificate...

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I love Gateway! Everyone is friendly and helpful. The campus is nice and easy to find your way around.

” – Renee from Scottsdale, AZ
Glendale Community College

Glendale Community College is a public, 2-year institution located in the state of Arizona. GCC primarily serves students in the northwestern region of Maricopa County. Students can enroll in classes in the daytime, evening, or online, and can take...

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The professors at the Glendale Community College Main and North Campus are equally able to help students individually despite the major size differences. I attend both the main and north campuses and i get equal attention and help. There are many...

” – Justine from Surprise, AZ
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Mesa Community College is a public institution with an open admissions policy based in Mesa, Arizona, conferring associate and professional certifications. The school operates two campuses, Red Mountain as well as the Southern and Dobson location...

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They have helpful teachers and offer a vast assortment of resources to utilize in your studies. Plus, there are two campuses to choose from that each have there own great qualities. I attend both campuses for the best selection of classes and the...

” – Kristen from Mesa, AZ
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Ottawa University-Phoenix is a private, Christ-centered institution established in 1865. The Phoenix campus is an adult learning facility, offering more than 90 different graduate and undergraduate degree and certificate programs, many of which can...

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This is an awesome school. The academic structure is great! The professors work very hard to help you do well and they give positive feedback.

” – Tonya from Durham, NC
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Paradise Valley Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Phoenix, Arizona, with a satellite facility located in Scottsdale. The college offers over 60 Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree and Certificate of Completion...

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I know many preconceptions about community colleges revolve around them not providing the same quality of education as the big universities do, but I'm happy to report that those judgements are sadly incorrect. From learning how to successfully...

” – Stephanie from Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix College

Established in 1920, Phoenix College is the flagship of the Maricopa Community Colleges, the largest provider of higher education and career training in Arizona. Phoenix College offers a variety of facilities for students, including a dental clinic...

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university of phoenix is a wonderful school. uop is very helpful and understanding of their students needs. uop offer classes to fit your lifestyle.

” – Meloldy from Bradenton, FL
Pima Community College

Pima Community College is one of the biggest multi-campus community colleges in the nation. PCC serves the Tucson metropolitan area of Arizona and operates six campuses and four education centers. It has an open admissions policy and offers non...

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How much you learn here is completely up to you. Your schedule is created by you; this makes it easy to find a way for college to fit your life, but also to allow yourself to slack. Pima Community College is not a huge step from high school but a...

” – Tanya from Oro Valley, AZ
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Rio Salado College is a public, 2-year institution established in Tempe, Arizona, with satellite education centers throughout the region. Rio Salado primarily serves students through online programs, though it offers in-person and hybrid options as...

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I learned a lot. The teachers are very supportive and assist you in numerous ways.

” – Gina from Tonopah, AZ
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Scottsdale Community College is a 2-year community college. SCC awards degrees in over 100 fields of study and 60 certificates. In addition to the regular offerings on its Scottsdale campus, SCC courses are also available as online, hybrid, and 8...

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I am currently attending Scottsdale Community College and love it. The teachers I have experienced in the Music program are passionate, helpful, and motivational. My English teach Professor Eric Loring has been an amazing teacher, he loves his work...

” – Allison from Phoenix, AZ
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Universal Technical Institute is a for-profit technical and vocational school with 12 campuses throughout the United States. UTI offers two-year career-oriented programs in seven technical fields of study. In addition, UTI holds partnerships with...

Arizona Western College

Arizona Western College offers workforce, academic, and career technical programs throughout their 12 locations in AZ. The main campus is located in Yuma, the sunniest year-round city in the US and has the warmest winters. Arizona Western College has...

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Arizona Western College is a great place to achieve your educational goal. It is a college with great opportunities for students. It can help you achieve your eductional plan to be very successful.

” – Iliana from Yuma, AZ
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Central Arizona College is a public, community college primarily located in the city of Coolidge, with seven additional campuses throughout Pinal County. The CAC focus is to provide a wide variety of affordable degrees and certificates to an equally...

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Central Arizona College is a wonderful place to go for students starting a college career right out of high school, or adults returning to school to get their degrees. Everyone on campus, from students to teachers, is very open and friendly, and more...

” – Haley from Queen Creek, AZ
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Coconino Community College is a 2-year institution with three campuses in northern Arizona. CCC confers over 25 associate degrees including such environmentally conscious fields of study as Sustainable Green Building and Alternative Energy Technology...

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i currently attend coconino community college as a full time student. the lone tree campus is a fairly new and visually appealing school, with a small college atmosphere. the professors are both helpful and professional, and are able to create a...

” – Brian from Flagstaff, AZ
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Providing educational services to over 27,000 square miles of Navajo Nation, Diné College is America’s first tribally-controlled institution of higher learning. Among the college’s four schools, the School of Diné Studies and Education offers degree...

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Dine College is a great school attend. It may be in a very rural area but it has its resources there. The mission and vision of the school is exceeding and its a school to find yourself spiritually, and culturally.

” – Kamille from Blue Gap, AZ
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Mohave Community College is a 2-year institution with four campuses serving northwest Arizona and surrounding counties in Nevada, Utah, and California. MCC offers degrees and certificates in over 60 academic programs. Students in MCC’s Dental Hygiene...

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This school has small class sizes that provide a more one-on-one feeling that allows professors to get to know the students and really provide insight into all of their courses.

” – Michelle from AZ