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Leading the list is Midwestern University Glendale, our #1 college 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 TeamMidwestern University Glendale ranks #1 of 90 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Colleges in Arizona ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 52% six-year graduation rate and $60,182 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, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Our ranking highlights **90** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual reviewed 90 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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Midwestern University Glendale leads the 90 ranked colleges in Arizona, followed by Arizona State University (#2) and University Of Arizona (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Leading the list is Midwestern University Glendale, our #1 college 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.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on this year's Best Colleges ranking 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.
University Of Arizona came in at #3 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Arizona. 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.
Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in Arizona. 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.
You'll be in good company at Arizona State University Skysong, which ranked #5 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. Early-career graduates earn a median of $55,394. Graduates carry a median of $22,870 in student loans.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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. Median early-career earnings reach $66,620. Graduates carry a median of $24,288 in student loans.
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona landed the #7 spot in Arizona this year. 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.
Gateway Community College Central City came in at #8 in this year's ranking. 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 #9 on our 2027 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.
Glendale Community College Glendale Az came in at #10 in this year's ranking. 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.
Chandler Gilbert Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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.
Grand Canyon University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Grand Canyon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Phoenix, AZ. 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 placed #13 among the best colleges in Arizona. 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.
Mesa Community College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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.
Carrington College Mesa ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Mesa, AZ, Carrington College Mesa is a private for-profit institution. Early-career graduates earn a median of $41,438. The median student debt is $16,968.
Rio Salado College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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 Phoenix placed #17 among the best colleges in Arizona. 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.
Arizona Christian University did well this year, earning the #18 position. 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.
Pima Community College landed the #19 spot in Arizona this year. 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 came in at #20 in this year's ranking. 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 Tucson came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Tucson, AZ, Carrington College Tucson is a private for-profit institution. Carrington College Tucson graduates report median early-career earnings of $32,934. The median student debt is $12,112.
Phoenix College landed the #22 spot in Arizona this year. 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 ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. 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 came in at #24 in this year's ranking. 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.
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #25 spot in Arizona this year. 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.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 90 in Arizona. 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), 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
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.