by our College Data Analytics TeamArizona State University Skysong ranks #1 of 45 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in Arizona ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 22% six-year graduation rate and $53,739 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in Arizona, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **45** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 45 colleges on more than 20 objective measures such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Arizona State University Skysong leads the 45 ranked colleges in Arizona, followed by Gateway Community College Phoenix (#2) and Chandler Gilbert Community College (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Arizona State University Skysong tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in Arizona. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $55,394. Graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Gateway Community College Phoenix, which ranked #2 this year. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,350. Typical student debt is $15,736.
The strong outcomes at Chandler Gilbert Community College earned it the #3 place in Arizona. Set in Chandler, AZ, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. The median student debt is $10,447.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Arizona. Set in Glendale, AZ, Glendale Community College Glendale Az 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. Glendale Community College Glendale Az graduates report median early-career earnings of $51,483. The median student debt is $15,996.
The strong outcomes at Scottsdale Community College earned it the #5 place in Arizona. Located in Scottsdale, AZ, Scottsdale 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. Scottsdale Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,039. The median student debt is $13,084.
Mesa Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,730. Mesa Community College students take on a median of $13,750 in debt.
Pima Community College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, Pima Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $10,655.
Cochise College landed the #8 spot in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Sierra Vista, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Cochise College graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,712. Graduates carry a median of $12,013 in student loans.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #9 among the best colleges in Arizona. University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 16% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,552. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $35,323.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Paradise Valley Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $71,136. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete a degree here.
Phoenix College placed #11 among the best colleges in Arizona. Phoenix College is a public school based in Phoenix, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,053. Typical student debt is $15,204.
Rio Salado College placed #12 among the best colleges in Arizona. Based in Tempe, AZ, Rio Salado College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Rio Salado College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,564. Graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans.
University Of Advancing Technology placed #13 among the best colleges in Arizona. This private for-profit school is set in Tempe, AZ. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,800. Median early-career earnings reach $40,489. Graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans.
Carrington College Phoenix did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Carrington College Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $37,814. Graduates carry a median of $15,388 in student loans.
Estrella Mountain Community College did well this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Avondale, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $78,359. Typical student debt is $21,752.
Carrington College Mesa came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Carrington College Mesa is a private for-profit school based in Mesa, AZ. Median early-career earnings reach $41,438. Typical student debt is $16,968.
Arizona Western College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,895.
Yavapai College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Prescott, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans.
Central Arizona College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Coolidge, AZ, Central Arizona College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Median early-career earnings reach $48,826. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete a degree here.
Mohave Community College landed the #20 spot in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Kingman, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,785. Mohave Community College students take on a median of $14,766 in debt.
Eastern Arizona College placed #21 among the best colleges in Arizona. Based in Thatcher, AZ, Eastern Arizona College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,352, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,304. Graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans.
Coconino Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,907, with out-of-state students paying around $9,987. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,850. Typical student debt is $16,011.
Northland Pioneer College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Holbrook, AZ, Northland Pioneer College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,232, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Median early-career earnings reach $44,117. Typical student debt is $8,680.
Carrington College Tucson did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Tucson, AZ, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $32,934. Carrington College Tucson students take on a median of $12,112 in debt.
South Mountain Community College landed the #25 spot in Arizona this year. Based in Phoenix, AZ, South 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 $8,958.
These 20 colleges rank #26 through #45 of 45 in Arizona. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
See our data sources and methodologies.