by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Arizona, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **18** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 18 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.
Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Chandler Gilbert Community College tops our 2026 ranking of the best colleges in Arizona. This public school is set in Chandler, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Chandler Gilbert Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,943. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete a degree here.
Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Arizona. Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public school based in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Gateway Community College Phoenix graduates report median early-career earnings of $50,350. Students borrow a median of $15,736 to complete a degree here.
A rank of #3 makes Mesa Community College one of the top colleges in Arizona. Set in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $54,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Glendale Community College Glendale Az, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Glendale, AZ, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,483 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans.
Out of the 18 colleges in Arizona in this year's ranking, Scottsdale Community College landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,039. Graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans.
Pima Community College came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, Pima Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Pima Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,977. Pima Community College students take on a median of $10,655 in debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #7 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,552. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. University Of Phoenix Arizona students take on a median of $35,323 in debt.
Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Located in Avondale, AZ, Estrella Mountain Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $78,359. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete a degree here.
Paradise Valley Community College came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Paradise Valley Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. The median student debt is $14,204.
Cochise College did well this year, earning the #10 position. Cochise College is a public school based in Sierra Vista, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Cochise College graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,712. Cochise College students take on a median of $12,013 in debt.
Phoenix College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,053. Graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans.
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. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,564. Graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans.
Carrington College Mesa came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Mesa, AZ, Carrington College Mesa is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $40,210. Carrington College Mesa students take on a median of $16,025 in debt.
Carrington College Phoenix ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Carrington College Phoenix is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Median early-career earnings reach $37,814. Carrington College Phoenix students take on a median of $15,388 in debt.
Arizona Western College landed the #15 spot in Arizona this year. Based in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,060, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Early-career graduates earn a median of $44,895.
Yavapai College landed the #16 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Prescott, AZ, Yavapai College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,948, while out-of-state students pay about $9,486. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $52,087. Typical student debt is $14,087.
University Of Advancing Technology placed #17 among the best colleges in Arizona. Located in Tempe, AZ, University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. University Of Advancing Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,489. University Of Advancing Technology students take on a median of $29,802 in debt.
Carrington College Tucson came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $32,616 early in their careers. Carrington College Tucson students take on a median of $11,658 in debt.
Central Arizona College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Coolidge, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Central Arizona College graduates report median early-career earnings of $48,826. Typical student debt is $11,635.
Eastern Arizona College placed #20 among the best colleges in Arizona. Eastern Arizona College is a public school based in Thatcher, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,304 early in their careers. Eastern Arizona College students take on a median of $6,781 in debt.
Mohave Community College landed the #21 spot in Arizona this year. Based in Kingman, AZ, Mohave Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $54,785. Typical student debt is $14,766.
Coconino Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in Flagstaff, AZ, Coconino Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,907, while out-of-state students pay about $9,987. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $39,850. Coconino Community College students take on a median of $16,011 in debt.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Based in Chandler, AZ, American Intercontinental University Online is a private for-profit institution. About 6% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,397. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $43,008. Students borrow a median of $39,107 to complete a degree here.
Northland Pioneer College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Holbrook, AZ, Northland Pioneer College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Northland Pioneer College graduates report median early-career earnings of $44,117. The median student debt is $8,680.
Bryan University Los Angeles placed #25 among the best colleges in Arizona. Set in Tempe, AZ, Bryan University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,219. Bryan University Los Angeles graduates report median early-career earnings of $31,425. Graduates carry a median of $26,400 in student loans.
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), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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
More about our data sources and methodologies.