by our College Data Analytics TeamArizona State University ranks #1 of 25 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Bachelor’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 42% six-year graduation rate and $58,871 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, it can be hard to know where to start. Our ranking highlights **25** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 25 colleges using more than 20 objective factors 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 leads the 25 ranked colleges in Arizona, followed by University Of Arizona (#2) and Northern Arizona University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Arizona State University earned the #1 spot in this year's Best Colleges ranking in Arizona. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Arizona State University graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,876. The median student debt is $21,842.
The strong outcomes at University Of Arizona earned it the #2 place in Arizona. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. University Of Arizona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,834 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete a degree here.
Out of the 25 colleges in Arizona in this year's ranking, Northern Arizona University landed the #3 spot. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Northern Arizona University graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,056. Northern Arizona University students take on a median of $21,645 in debt.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top colleges in Arizona. Arizona State University Skysong is a public school based in Scottsdale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Arizona State University Skysong graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,394. The median student debt is $22,870.
You'll be in good company at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Prescott, AZ, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,974. Median early-career earnings reach $66,620. Typical student debt is $24,288.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona did well this year, earning the #6 position. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $39,146 in student loans.
Grand Canyon University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,508. Median early-career earnings reach $56,285. Grand Canyon University students take on a median of $30,027 in debt.
Arizona Christian University came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Arizona Christian University is a private not-for-profit school based in Glendale, AZ. Arizona Christian University graduates 40% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,098. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete a degree here.
University Of Phoenix Arizona landed the #9 spot in Arizona this year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. University Of Phoenix Arizona graduates report median early-career earnings of $60,453. The median student debt is $35,323.
Ottawa University Surprise placed #10 among the best colleges in Arizona. Based in Surprise, AZ, Ottawa University Surprise is a private not-for-profit institution. Ottawa University Surprise posts a six-year graduation rate of 18%. In-state tuition and fees average $35,880. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,453. Ottawa University Surprise students take on a median of $29,983 in debt.
University Of Advancing Technology landed the #11 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Tempe, AZ, University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit institution. University Of Advancing Technology graduates 27% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,800 in tuition and fees. University Of Advancing Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,489. Graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans.
Prescott College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Prescott, AZ, Prescott College is a private not-for-profit institution. Prescott College graduates 56% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $34,490. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,966 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,230 to complete a degree here.
Ashford University landed the #13 spot in Arizona this year. Based in Chandler, AZ, Ashford University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 10%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,960. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $48,441. The median student debt is $39,515.
Yavapai College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Prescott, AZ, Yavapai College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. The median student debt is $14,087.
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Chandler, AZ, American Intercontinental University Online is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 6%. Students from in state pay about $12,397 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $43,008. Typical student debt is $39,107.
Bryan University Los Angeles came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Set in Tempe, AZ, Bryan University Los Angeles is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,219. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,425 early in their careers. The median student debt is $26,400.
Dine College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Tsaile, AZ, Dine College is a public institution. Dine College graduates 12% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $1,410. Dine College graduates report median early-career earnings of $20,227.
Pima Medical Institute Tucson ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Pima Medical Institute Tucson is a private for-profit school based in Tucson, AZ. Pima Medical Institute Tucson graduates report median early-career earnings of $46,521. Typical student debt is $21,054.
Aspen University placed #19 among the best colleges in Arizona. This private for-profit school is set in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,870. Aspen University graduates report median early-career earnings of $69,902. Students borrow a median of $36,946 to complete a degree here.
Arizona College Of Allied Health came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona College Of Allied Health is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $26,141. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $37,482. Arizona College Of Allied Health students take on a median of $18,294 in debt.
Arizona College Of Nursing Phoenix did well this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Arizona College Of Nursing Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,041. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $85,169. Students borrow a median of $51,854 to complete a degree here.
International Baptist College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Located in Chandler, AZ, International Baptist College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,800.
Brookline College Phoenix came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Brookline College Phoenix is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Roughly 38% of students complete a degree within six years here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. The median student debt is $20,921.
Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson placed #24 among the best colleges in Arizona. Based in Tucson, AZ, Arizona College Of Nursing Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $24,944 in tuition and fees. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $85,169. Graduates carry a median of $51,854 in student loans.
National Paralegal College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Set in Phoenix, AZ, National Paralegal College is a private for-profit institution. National Paralegal College posts a six-year graduation rate of 19%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,995. Median early-career earnings reach $40,124. The median student debt is $43,560.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on 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.