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2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona

18 Colleges
$37,456 Avg Salary
$20,530 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to choose from today when trying to decide which school to attend. At College Factual, we're committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our Best Associate Degree Colleges in Arizona ranking.

Jump to Any of the Following Sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing the Best School for You

We analyzed 18 colleges and universities across Arizona to determine which ones have the best associate degree programs. To come up with this ranking of the best schools, we look at factors that are all objective measurements. We explain more about what we look at and why we do so below.

Average Early-Career Salaries

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving an associate degree from the school. That is, everyone wants their degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Student Loan Borrowing

Students may also take on a lot of debt while working on their associate so we factor that into our rankings as well. During their time at college, associate degree seekers from schools in Arizona take out an average of $20,530. We consider this number in conjunction with average post-graduation earnings to gauge the difficulty associate recipients will have paying back their loans.

Additional Ranking Factors We Use

In addition to average post-graduation earnings and average student debt loads, we also look at a host of other factors to determining our Best Associate Degree Schools ranking. These factors include things like the educational resources, the demand associated with the school, whether or not the school offers online classes, and the student body caliber - just to name a few.

Find out more about our best schools ranking methodology

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Are you more interested in the top associate degree schools in your area? Try narrowing this list by location. In addition, we've put together a number of other college rankings that may help you in your search.

Top Associate Degree Schools in Arizona

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

1
3,574 Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,738 Average Early-Career Earnings
$24,680 Average Student Debt

Our analysis found University of Phoenix - Arizona to be the best school for associate degrees in Arizona in this year’s ranking. This large private for-profit school is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and it awarded 3,574 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from UOPX - Arizona make an average of $31,738 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $24,680 after getting their degree. Average monthly loan payments are around $141 for a 10-year repayment plan.

Read full report on University of Phoenix - Arizona

2
588 Associate Degrees Awarded
$52,951 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,767 Average Student Debt

Out of the 18 associate degree schools in Arizona that were part of this year’s ranking, GateWay Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. GateWay Community College is located in Phoenix, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 588 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a associate degree from GateWay Community College go into careers with an average salary of $52,951 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,767 in student loans.

Full GateWay Community College Report

3
903 Associate Degrees Awarded
$25,536 Average Early-Career Earnings
$28,970 Average Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American InterContinental University - Online. The school came in at #3 in Arizona on this year’s best associate degree schools ranking. Located in Chandler, Arizona, the fairly large private for-profit school awarded 903 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from AIU Online make an average of $25,536 a year. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $28,970 after getting their degree.

Read full report on American InterContinental University - Online

4
1,592 Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,129 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,958 Average Student Debt

A rank of #4 on our Best Associate Degree in Arizona list means Mesa Community College is a great place for students working on their degree. Mesa Community College is a public institution located in Mesa, Arizona. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,592 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Mesa Community College go into careers with an average salary of $43,129 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,958 in student loans.

Learn More About Mesa Community College

5
Pinal County Community College crest
Central Arizona College
Coolidge, Arizona
587 Associate Degrees Awarded
$30,579 Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,222 Average Student Debt

A rank of #5 on our Best Associate Degree in Arizona list means Central Arizona College is a great place for students working on their degree. Central Arizona College is a small public school located in Coolidge, Arizona that handed out 587 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Those who receive a associate degree from Pinal County Community College go into careers with an average salary of $30,579 during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $12,222 after getting their degree.

Full Central Arizona College Report

6
Rio Salado College crest
Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona
795 Associate Degrees Awarded
$9,375 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Rio Salado College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. This fairly large public school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 795 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $9,375.

Full Rio Salado College Report

7
1,521 Associate Degrees Awarded
$38,420 Average Early-Career Earnings
$12,675 Average Student Debt

Cochise County Community College District landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking. This small public school is located in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and it awarded 1,521 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Cochise College make an average of $38,420 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $12,675 in student loans.

Read full report on Cochise County Community College District

8
Pima County Community College District crest
Pima Community College
Tucson, Arizona
1,617 Associate Degrees Awarded
$33,363 Average Early-Career Earnings
$10,667 Average Student Debt

Pima Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Pima County Community College District is a fairly large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 1,617 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Pima County Community College District make an average of $33,363 per year during the early years of their career. Associate students carry an average student debt load of about $10,667 after getting their degree.

Full Pima Community College Report

9
Eastern Arizona College crest
Eastern Arizona College
Thatcher, Arizona
440 Associate Degrees Awarded
$42,785 Average Early-Career Earnings

Eastern Arizona College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Located in Thatcher, Arizona, the small public school awarded 440 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Eastern Arizona College make an average of $42,785 per year during the early years of their career.

Learn More About Eastern Arizona College

10
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, Arizona
951 Associate Degrees Awarded
$40,545 Average Early-Career Earnings
$14,917 Average Student Debt

Phoenix College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking. Phoenix College is a medium-sized public school located in Phoenix, Arizona that handed out 951 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Graduates with a associate degree from Phoenix College make an average of $40,545 per year during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $14,917.

Learn More About Phoenix College

11
1,157 Associate Degrees Awarded
$37,566 Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,775 Average Student Debt

Chandler-Gilbert Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking, coming in at #11. Chandler-Gilbert Community College is a fairly large public school located in Chandler, Arizona that handed out 1,157 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Chandler-Gilbert Community College is $37,566 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $13,775.

Learn More About Chandler-Gilbert Community College

12
1,720 Associate Degrees Awarded
$36,210 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,142 Average Student Debt

Glendale Community College landed the #12 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking. Glendale Community College is located in Glendale, Arizona and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,720 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Glendale Community College is $36,210 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $17,142.

Full Glendale Community College Report

13
1,171 Associate Degrees Awarded
$24,571 Average Early-Career Earnings
$22,950 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #13, Estrella Mountain Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Avondale, Arizona is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 1,171 students in 2020-2021.

The average salary of a graduate with a associate degree from Estrella Mountain Community College is $24,571 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $22,950 in student loans.

Learn More About Estrella Mountain Community College

14
Scottsdale Community College crest
Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, Arizona
811 Associate Degrees Awarded
$39,500 Average Early-Career Earnings
$13,325 Average Student Debt

Scottsdale Community College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Scottsdale Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Scottsdale, Arizona. It awarded 811 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $39,500 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $13,325 in student loans.

Full Scottsdale Community College Report

15
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, Arizona
699 Associate Degrees Awarded
$43,612 Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,959 Average Student Debt

With a ranking of #15, Yavapai College did quite well on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Yavapai College is located in Prescott, Arizona and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 699 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $43,612 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,959.

Full Yavapai College Report

16
MCC crest
Mohave Community College
Kingman, Arizona
414 Associate Degrees Awarded
$45,154 Average Early-Career Earnings
$15,937 Average Student Debt

Mohave Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking, coming in at #16. MCC is located in Kingman, Arizona and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 414 associate degrees to qualified graduate students.

Those who receive a associate degree from MCC go into careers with an average salary of $45,154 during the early years of their career. The average amount of student debt accumulated by associate students is $15,937.

Learn More About Mohave Community College

17
893 Associate Degrees Awarded
$31,430 Average Early-Career Earnings
$5,607 Average Student Debt

Arizona Western College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona list. Arizona Western College is a medium-sized public school located in Yuma, Arizona that handed out 893 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

During the early years of their career, associate degree graduates from AWC make an average of $31,430 a year. Associate students leave the school with an average of $5,607 in student loans.

Learn More About Arizona Western College

18
Coconino Community College crest
Coconino Community College
Flagstaff, Arizona
287 Associate Degrees Awarded
$21,656 Average Early-Career Earnings
$17,031 Average Student Debt

Coconino Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona ranking. Coconino Community College is a small public school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 287 associate degrees in 2020-2021.

Upon graduation, associate degree recipients go on to jobs making an average salary of $21,656 during the early years of their career. Associate students leave the school with an average of $17,031 in student loans.

Read full report on Coconino Community College

Best Associate Degree Schools in the Southwest Region

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