by our College Data Analytics Team
With all of the graduate school options in Arizona, it can be hard to know where to start. This list ranks **7** programs by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual evaluated 7 graduate schools across over 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.
The top-ranked graduate schools span the following early-career salary range:
Here are the top-ranked graduate schools:
Arizona State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best graduate schools in Arizona. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
You'll be in good company at Midwestern University Glendale, which ranked #2 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Glendale, AZ. Midwestern University Glendale graduates report median early-career earnings of $98,281.
Out of the 7 graduate schools in Arizona in this year's ranking, University Of Arizona landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $50,834. Typical student debt is $21,861.
Northern Arizona University came in at #4 on this year's Best Graduate Schools ranking in Arizona. Based in Flagstaff, AZ, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $47,056. Graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans.
A rank of #5 makes Arizona State University Skysong one of the top graduate schools in Arizona. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $55,793. Typical student debt is $23,742.
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott placed #6 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. Set in Prescott, AZ, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,974. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,690. Typical student debt is $24,707.
Grand Canyon University landed the #7 spot in Arizona this year. Located in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Grand Canyon University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,508. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $56,285. Grand Canyon University students take on a median of $30,027 in debt.
University Of Phoenix Arizona placed #8 among the best graduate schools in Arizona. Set in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. About 16% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,552. Early-career graduates earn a median of $60,453. Typical student debt is $35,323.
Prescott College landed the #9 spot in Arizona this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Prescott, AZ. 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. Graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans.
Ottawa University Surprise ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best graduate schools. Located in Surprise, AZ, Ottawa University Surprise is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 18% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $35,880. Ottawa University Surprise graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,453. Ottawa University Surprise students take on a median of $29,968 in debt.
University Of Advancing Technology came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Set in Tempe, AZ, University Of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 27% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $18,800. University Of Advancing Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $40,489. Graduates carry a median of $29,802 in student loans.
American Intercontinental University Online did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Chandler, AZ, American Intercontinental University Online is a private for-profit institution. American Intercontinental University Online graduates 6% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. American Intercontinental University Online graduates report median early-career earnings of $43,008. The median student debt is $39,107.
Bryan University Los Angeles landed the #13 spot in Arizona this year. This private for-profit school is set in Tempe, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $12,219. Early-career graduates earn a median of $31,425. Students borrow a median of $26,400 to complete a degree here.
Pima Medical Institute Tucson came in at #14 in this year's ranking. Pima Medical Institute Tucson is a private for-profit school based in Tucson, AZ. Median early-career earnings reach $46,521. Students borrow a median of $21,054 to complete a degree here.
Aspen University landed the #15 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Aspen University is a private for-profit institution. About 27% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $6,870 in tuition and fees. Aspen University graduates report median early-career earnings of $69,902. Students borrow a median of $36,946 to complete a degree here.
Brookline College Phoenix landed the #16 spot in Arizona this year. Set in Phoenix, AZ, Brookline College Phoenix is a private for-profit institution. Brookline College Phoenix graduates 38% of students within six years. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,601 early in their careers. Brookline College Phoenix students take on a median of $20,921 in debt.
National Paralegal College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Phoenix, AZ, National Paralegal College is a private for-profit institution. Roughly 19% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,995. Median early-career earnings reach $40,124. The median student debt is $43,560.
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked graduate schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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
See our data sources and methodologies.