At $15,960/yr net price, University of Arizona graduates earn $59,979/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $25,979/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,960 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $63,840 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $59,979/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$25,979/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 65.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,620 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,043/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,789/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,497/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,124/yr |
| $110,001+ | $20,936/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics. | Doctoral | $123,527 | |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,473 | $129,884 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $103,746 | $74,625 |
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $103,078 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $92,743 | $41,000 |
| Physics. | Master | $88,195 | |
| Chemistry. | Doctoral | $84,653 | |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Master | $83,388 | $20,500 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $80,152 | |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $79,199 | $22,000 |
The Risk Factor
65.9% of students at University of Arizona graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
University of Arizona gives you a solid financial return with low risk. You borrow a median of $19,620 to graduate, and your median earnings ten years out clear that debt several times over. The 87.67% retention rate and 65.90% graduation rate mean most people who enroll actually finish, so you are unlikely to pay for credits and walk away with nothing.
The engineering and computing majors are where the money is. Computer Science graduates out-earn the school's median by roughly $19,000 a year, and every top-earning program here is an engineering track. Mining and Mineral Engineering is the sharpest deal on the list: strong pay with only $11,000 in typical debt, which fits Arizona's mining and resource economy. Electrical and Systems Engineering land in the same tier. If you enroll in one of these, the numbers work strongly in your favor.
The risk is in what isn't on this list. The school's overall median earnings sit well below its engineering programs, so majors outside STEM pull that number down. No bachelor-level data is shown for those fields here, so treat the campus-wide median as your baseline if you study something else, and borrow accordingly.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $12,043 a year. that jumps to roughly $20,000 once family income passes $75k. The gap between the middle brackets and the top is smaller than the jump into them, so the biggest break goes to families under $48k.
This school fits you if you are aiming for engineering, computing, or a resource-sector career, especially coming from a lower- or middle-income household in the region. If you plan to study a field with no earnings data shown here, go in with a clear salary target and keep your borrowing low.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of Arizona worth the cost?
University of Arizona offers decent value with a relatively low net price of $15,960 and moderate debt levels around $19,620. However, the 65% graduation rate and average earnings of $60,000 after 10 years make it worth it mainly for high-paying programs like physics, pharmacy, and engineering.
What are the best paying majors at University of Arizona?
Physics leads with median earnings of $123,527, followed by pharmacy at $117,473 and nursing at $103,746. Business and liberal arts majors typically see much lower returns on their investment.
How much student debt do University of Arizona graduates have?
The median debt is $19,620, which is manageable for graduates in high-paying fields like engineering or pharmacy. Students in lower-earning majors may struggle to justify this debt load given the school's average post-graduation earnings.
Does University of Arizona have good financial aid?
The net price of $15,960 suggests reasonable financial aid for in-state students. With an 87% acceptance rate, the school is accessible but you should carefully consider your major choice to ensure the investment pays off.