by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in Arizona? This list ranks 82 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 82 schools to build this 2027 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
In This Year’s Value Report:
We analyzed 82 schools in Arizona to surface the strongest return on investment. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The result is a ranking of schools that give you the most for your money. Read more about our methodology.
The best value for you depends on what and where you want to study. Refine the list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Or choose a degree level:
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Pima Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Arizona. Set in Tucson, AZ, Pima Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Pima Community College students take on a median of $10,655 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,810. Set against $10,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #2 place in Arizona. Set in Tempe, AZ, Rio Salado College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $13,679. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 82 schools in Arizona in this year's value ranking, Cochise College landed the #3 spot. Cochise College is a public school based in Sierra Vista, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,033 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.
Out of the 82 schools in Arizona in this year's value ranking, Central Arizona College landed the #4 spot. Set in Coolidge, AZ, Central Arizona College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,513 ten years after entry. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Glendale Community College Glendale Az one of the best values in Arizona. This public school is set in Glendale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,108. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College landed the #6 spot for value in Arizona this year. Mohave Community College is a public school based in Kingman, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,522. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Yavapai College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Prescott, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Yavapai College students take on a median of $14,087 in debt. Median earnings reach $39,890 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,087 median debt.
Arizona Western College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Arizona Western College is a public school based in Yuma, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,857 ten years after entry.
Mesa Community College came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Mesa Community College students take on a median of $13,750 in debt. Mesa Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,034 a decade after entry. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Phoenix College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt is $15,204. Median earnings reach $40,870 ten years out. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chandler Gilbert Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. This public school is set in Chandler, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates carry a median of $10,447 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Arizona College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Eastern Arizona College is a public school based in Thatcher, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Eastern Arizona College students take on a median of $6,781 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,018. That is a strong return on a $6,781 median debt.
Northland Pioneer College placed #13 among the best values in Arizona. Set in Holbrook, AZ, Northland Pioneer College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Northland Pioneer College students take on a median of $8,680 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $34,199 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,204 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,196 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University landed the #15 spot for value in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Northern Arizona University students take on a median of $21,645 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University has an acceptance rate of 90%.
Tohono Oodham Community College came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Set in Sells, AZ, Tohono Oodham Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $932. Tohono Oodham Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,229 a decade after entry.
Arizona State University came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $62,668. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Avondale, AZ, Estrella Mountain Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt is $13,084. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,905. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix placed #20 among the best values in Arizona. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. The median program debt is $15,736. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,147 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Gateway Community College Central City came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Central City is a public institution. Gateway Community College Central City students take on a median of $15,037 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,147 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dine College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Tsaile, AZ. Students from in state pay about $1,410 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,188 ten years after entry.
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $35,323 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $37,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Mountain Community College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. South Mountain Community College is a public school based in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. South Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $39,825 a decade after entry.
University Of Arizona came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,979 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
These schools also landed near the top of this year’s value ranking:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 82 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.