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Urban Colleges in Arizona

50 schools in Arizona. See our methodology.

Chamberlain University-Arizona stands out among the state's 51 urban colleges with graduates earning $92,405 annually, nearly $30,000 more than Arizona State University graduates despite ASU's massive 64,398 enrollment advantage. This pattern reflects Arizona's expanding healthcare and technology sectors, where Intel, Raytheon, and Banner Health create demand for specialized skills over sheer volume. Urban colleges here range from $3,123 to $39,983 in net costs, with graduation rates spanning 17.7% to 100%. The state's Arizona Promise Program supports community college access, helping institutions like Chandler-Gilbert serve 7,626 students at $12,653 annually. Technical programs show particular strength, with Refrigeration School Inc achieving a 74.7% graduation rate and $52,953 median earnings for its 1,271 students. Arizona's urban college market mirrors the state's economic transformation from traditional industries to tech manufacturing and healthcare services. While acceptance rates remain relatively open at 68% to 89.8%, the earnings gap between specialized programs and traditional universities suggests students increasingly value targeted career preparation over broad academic exposure in Arizona's competitive job market.
50
Schools
$19,446
Avg. Net Price
$43,991
Avg. Earnings
44.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Urban Colleges in Arizona

College listings
# School Setting Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate
1 City-Large 745 $37,002 66.7%
2 City-Small 3,245 $39,983 69.8%
3 City-Small 30 $5,068 100.0%
4 City-Midsize 64,398 $13,670 67.8%
5 City-Large 22 62.5%
6 City-Large 40,769 $15,960 65.9%
7 City-Small 23,041 $14,922 56.9%
8 City-Large 1,271 $25,300 74.7%
9 City-Large 7,626 $12,653 22.8%
10 City-Small 3,732 $6,355 32.1%
11 City-Large 55 $16,828 42.9%
12 City-Small 3,007 $7,420 30.3%
13 City-Large 388 $15,524 31.9%
14 City-Large 4,076 $13,478 19.8%
15 City-Large 3,473 $12,871 19.6%
16 City-Large 12,049 $13,438 19.2%
17 City-Large 2,612 $11,942 23.1%
18 City-Midsize 6,198 $9,582 25.4%
19 City-Large 13,869 $3,123 21.5%
20 City-Large 6,952 $11,728 17.7%
21 City-Large 2,619 72.6%
22 City-Large 373 $6,526 69.7%
23 City-Midsize 2,083 $20,948 24.0%
24 City-Large 68,619 $21,931 43.0%
25 City-Large 76,996 $13,571 19.5%
26 City-Large 721 $20,904 62.9%
27 City-Large 6,734 $14,449 21.2%
28 City-Large 437 $39,975 62.2%
29 City-Midsize 716 $58,490 68.6%
30 City-Midsize 4,879 $8,764 3.9%
31 City-Midsize 892 $20,913 39.3%
32 City-Midsize 294 $19,642 65.5%
33 City-Midsize 152 $15,156 50.0%
34 City-Large 1,087 54.3%
35 City-Large 492 $47,290 53.3%
36 City-Large 211 $20,788 55.1%
37 City-Large 714 50.2%
38 City-Midsize 4,763 $19,921 32.3%
39 City-Small 253 $20,906 35.9%
40 City-Midsize 49,000
41 City-Large 830 $6,939 52.9%
42 City-Large 9
43 City-Large 2,396
44 City-Midsize 1,246 $31,502 9.1%
45 City-Large 566 $28,789
46 City-Large 1,062 $34,155
47 City-Large
48 City-Large
49 City-Midsize
50 City-Midsize

Frequently Asked Questions

What drives the $55,548 earnings gap between Arizona's highest and lowest-paying urban colleges?

Chamberlain University-Arizona graduates earn $92,405 while Cochise County Community College graduates earn $38,033, reflecting program specialization differences. Healthcare and technical programs command higher salaries in Arizona's economy, where Banner Health and medical device companies actively recruit. Specialized training often outpaces general education in earnings potential across the state's 51 urban institutions.

How do Arizona's community colleges perform compared to four-year universities?

Community colleges show mixed results with graduation rates from 19.6% at GateWay to 74.7% at Refrigeration School Inc, while four-year schools like University of Arizona achieve 65.9%. However, specialized community programs often match university earnings, with Refrigeration School graduates earning $52,953 compared to Northern Arizona University's $54,384.

Is Arizona State University's 89.75% acceptance rate typical for urban colleges in the state?

ASU's acceptance rate falls within Arizona's 68% to 89.8% range, though it's among the most selective. Most urban colleges maintain open access policies, with only Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott requiring more competitive 68% acceptance. The state prioritizes educational access, reflected in relatively high acceptance rates across its 51 urban institutions.

Does enrollment size correlate with graduate earnings at Arizona urban colleges?

Not consistently. ASU enrolls 64,398 students but graduates earn $62,668, while tiny Chamberlain University-Arizona serves just 745 students yet produces $92,405 earners. Small specialized schools often outperform large universities in earnings, with Indian Bible College's 30 students achieving 100% graduation rates compared to larger institutions' variable outcomes.

Where do Arizona's most affordable urban colleges provide the best value?

Indian Bible College offers strong value at $5,068 net cost with 100% graduation rates, though serving only 30 students. Yavapai College provides broader access at $6,355 for 3,732 students, earning graduates $39,890. Cochise County Community College costs $7,420 and serves 3,007 students, demonstrating how smaller communities stretch education dollars effectively.

What role does the Arizona Promise Program play in urban college affordability?

The Arizona Promise Program supports community college access, helping institutions like Chandler-Gilbert serve 7,626 students at $12,653 annually and Paradise Valley serve 4,076 at $13,478. This state initiative makes urban education accessible across Arizona's varied metropolitan areas, particularly benefiting working students in Phoenix and Tucson who balance education with employment.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.