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No school ranked higher than Midwestern University Glendale this year in Arizona. Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit school based in Glendale, AZ. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $98,281.
by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the college options in Arizona, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **26** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 26 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.
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Here are the top-ranked colleges:
No school ranked higher than Midwestern University Glendale this year in Arizona. Midwestern University Glendale is a private not-for-profit school based in Glendale, AZ. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $98,281.
The strong outcomes at Arizona State University earned it the #2 place in Arizona. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University graduates report median early-career earnings of $55,876. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at University Of Arizona, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Median early-career earnings reach $50,834. Graduates carry a median of $21,861 in student loans.
Out of the 26 colleges in Arizona in this year's ranking, Northern Arizona University landed the #4 spot. This public school is set in Flagstaff, AZ. About 61% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $47,056. The median student debt is $21,645.
Out of the 26 colleges in Arizona in this year's ranking, Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona landed the #5 spot. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona is a private for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona graduates 50% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,520. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,188 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $39,146.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #6 spot in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. 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 $55,793. Graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott did well this year, earning the #7 position. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit school based in Prescott, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott graduates report median early-career earnings of $64,690. Typical student debt is $24,707.
Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Chandler, AZ. 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 $46,943. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete a degree here.
Gateway Community College Central City ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Central City is a public institution. Median early-career earnings reach $45,781. Gateway Community College Central City students take on a median of $15,037 in debt.
Gateway Community College Phoenix ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $50,350. The median student debt is $15,736.
Mesa Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Mesa, AZ, Mesa 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,730 early in their careers. The median student debt is $13,750.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Glendale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $51,483. Typical student debt is $15,996.
Grand Canyon University landed the #13 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,508. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,285 early in their careers. The median student debt is $30,027.
Scottsdale Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Median early-career earnings reach $48,039. Typical student debt is $13,084.
Rio Salado College did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Tempe, AZ, Rio Salado College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $48,564. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete a degree here.
Carrington College Mesa did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Mesa, AZ, Carrington College Mesa is a private for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $40,210. The median student debt is $16,025.
Pima Community College came in at #17 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,758. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,977 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete a degree here.
Paradise Valley Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Paradise Valley Community College graduates report median early-career earnings of $71,136. The median student debt is $14,204.
Carrington College Phoenix came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Carrington College Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $37,814. Typical student debt is $15,388.
Carrington College Tucson placed #20 among the best colleges in Arizona. Located in Tucson, AZ, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Carrington College Tucson graduates report median early-career earnings of $32,616. Students borrow a median of $11,658 to complete a degree here.
Arizona Christian University placed #21 among the best colleges in Arizona. Set in Glendale, AZ, Arizona Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Arizona Christian University graduates 40% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,098. Median early-career earnings reach $40,702. Typical student debt is $22,625.
Estrella Mountain Community College came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Based in Avondale, AZ, Estrella 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 $8,959. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $78,359. Typical student debt is $21,752.
Phoenix College did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Phoenix College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Median early-career earnings reach $51,053. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete a degree here.
University Of Phoenix Arizona came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Based in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 16%. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,453 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $35,323.
Cochise College landed the #25 spot in Arizona this year. Cochise College is a public school based in Sierra Vista, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $40,712. Typical student debt is $12,013.
Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.