2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Arizona
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for psychology students.
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2027 Best Value Psychology Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
Rio Salado College earned the #1 spot for value among psychology schools in Arizona. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Glendale Community College Glendale Az one of the best values for psychology. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,483. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Psychology graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Mesa Community College generally make around $54,730. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Phoenix College earned it the #4 place for psychology. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $15,204. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Phoenix College generally make around $51,053. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Paradise Valley Community College earned it the #5 place for psychology. Paradise Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $14,204. Psychology graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.
Dine College placed #6 among the best values for psychology. Set in the rural area of Tsaile, Dine College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,410. Psychology graduates of Dine College earn a median of $20,227 early in their careers.
Chandler Gilbert Community College landed the #7 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #8 for value in psychology this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College placed #9 among the best values for psychology. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $13,084. Psychology graduates of Scottsdale Community College earn a median of $48,039 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
South Mountain Community College landed the #10 spot for psychology value this year. South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $39,825 ten years out.
Northern Arizona University landed the #11 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $22,492 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $61,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #12 position for value in psychology this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Psychology graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $68,772 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #13 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,552. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $40,687. Early-career psychology graduates make about $62,963. That is a strong return on a $40,687 median debt.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #14 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $39,107. Psychology graduates of American Intercontinental University Online earn a median of $43,008 early in their careers. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Arizona came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Psychology graduates carry a median of $21,317 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $45,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Grand Canyon University landed the #16 spot for psychology value this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Students borrow a median of $30,027 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Grand Canyon University earn a median of $62,098 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants.
Prescott College earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,490. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $31,334. Psychology graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $29,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
National Paralegal College landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, National Paralegal College is a small private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,995. Psychology graduates carry a median of $43,560 in student loans. Psychology graduates of National Paralegal College earn a median of $40,124 early in their careers. Set against $43,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashford University landed the #19 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Chandler, Ashford University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,960 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $43,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Ashford University generally make around $39,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona Christian University ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value psychology schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,098. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Arizona Christian University earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Ottawa University Surprise earned the #21 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Surprise, Ottawa University Surprise is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,880. Students borrow a median of $27,562 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $51,797. That is a strong return on a $27,562 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Located in the city of Prescott, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,974 in tuition and fees. Psychology graduates carry a median of $24,620 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott generally make around $41,456. Set against $24,620 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
