2024 Best Associate Degree Schools in Arizona
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
Other Rankings
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:
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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