The 10 cheapest colleges in Arizona (we did the math!)

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Investing in education is worthwhile yet pricey. We did the math and have determined these 10 colleges in Arizona to be the cheapest.

Attending college should be an exciting journey from start to finish, but it can often become overwhelming with stress while trying to navigate the financial aspect of it. Some traditional options to keep college cost-effective include starting at a community college—which is especially helpful if you’re not sure what you want to study—or finding worthwhile scholarships to apply for. There is also the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly known as the FAFSA, to fill out, which can offer tuition assistance via grants, work-study, scholarships, and loans. Sometimes, tuition can be completely covered by grants. Other times, tuition can be partially covered, depending on financial need. Before financial stipends and awards are offered, though, many of us are left with one question: Can I afford college?

We’ve gone to the trouble of looking into the many colleges in Arizona to find the cheapest options so you can begin your search with less stress and more knowledge. Some aspects we took into consideration include price per unit, overall cost for in-state residents, and the top degrees offered. One other aspect, likely prompted by my inner mom and profession as a teacher, is the graduation rate as this can act as a glimpse into student satisfaction, hinting at the quality of the institution. In general, though, you get out what you’re willing to put in.

Now, take a deep breath and get ready to explore different options to begin–or continue–your education journey.

The 10 cheapest colleges in Arizona (in no particular order):

1. Grand Canyon University 

Grand Canyon University is located in Phoenix and is a private, for-profit Christian school with a high acceptance rate and a fairly good graduation rate. This school offers both online and in-person classes with the option to live on campus. They offer degrees starting with a bachelor’s and extending all the way to a doctorate. Popular degrees include registered nursing, business administration, human services, education, marketing, and social work. One cool fact is the age diversity of the students who attend GCU. While the average college student in America graduates at 24 years old, GCU’s average age for students is 35, meaning it is a great place to continue your education at any age.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $25,792/year

Online rate: $11,640

Acceptance Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 47.2%

Average age of students: 35

The Global Credit Union Arena at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz. (GrandCanyonU/CC BY-SA 3.0)

2. Diné College

With a small student body, Diné College is a tribal land-grant college that is open for anyone to attend. Most students, 97% on average, are of Native or Alaskan descent. There are over 20 degree programs offered, and students can earn associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees here. Popular majors include business, elementary education, and public health education. Most majors offer transfer-ready courses as well for those looking to further their education even more.

Quick Facts

Cost to Attend: $55/credit hour, $11k/yearly on average

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Graduation Rate: 38%

Location: Navajo Nation in both Arizona and New Mexico

The Cultural Center at Dine College. (Bob Klein/CC BY 2.0)

3. Northern Arizona University 

Northern Arizona University, or NAU, is a university nestled in Flagstaff with campuses available statewide. It has both online and in-person classes with options to live either on campus in a dorm or off campus. NAU offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, as well as professional certificates.

Quick Facts

Yearly tuition rate for in-state residents: $11,688

Acceptance Rate: 80%

Graduation Rate: 56%

Biggest rival school: Southern Utah University

Aerial shot of Northern Arizona University. (Joshbiggs/CC BY-SA 4.0)

4. Arizona State University

Become a Sun Devil at Arizona State University, commonly referred to as ASU. Located in the heart of Tempe, this is the most celebrated campus in central Arizona with a well-suited mascot because we all know that Phoenix and the Valley are notorious for their hellish heat. Among the top bachelor’s degree programs are business, psychology, biology, computer science, finance, and marketing. ASU also offers dual programs where students have the option to begin master’s classes while working on completing a bachelor’s degree–this is a great way to save time and money, especially if you have a career path in mind. Their website also offers a career quiz open to all; I took it and it placed me into two eerily accurate fields: writing and teaching middle school! Eerily accurate results for me may translate into guiding you to the right career.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $13k (this includes other fees beyond tuition)

Online rate: $8k

Acceptance Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 66%

Especially good for: leading to a master’s degree

The Music Auditorium at ASU Tempe campus. (Wars/CC BY-SA 3.0)

5. University of Arizona

Southern Arizona’s premier college, the University of Arizona, is known for top-notch education. Geared to both undergraduate and graduate students, the average age for a student at this university is about 28 years old. Attend on campus as a first-time freshman or take classes online to get ready for the future of the working world. Online certificates are also available.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $13,900/year

Online rate: $525/credit

Acceptance Rate: 87%

Graduation Rate: 64%

School mascot: Wildcats

6. Arizona Christian University 

While the on-campus tuition is high compared to most colleges on this list, the online tuition makes Arizona Christian University a contender in affordable Arizona colleges. At just over $10k yearly, bachelor’s and master’s degrees can be earned online through this private Christian university. Private schools can have a stamp of prestige to them and offer better staff to student ratios for a more personalized educational journey. In this case, the Christian aspect is what makes this school stand out—ACU integrates Biblical teachings into its programs.

Quick Facts

Online rate:$5,400/semester

Acceptance Rate: 70%

Graduation Rate: 53%

Mission: This college integrates Biblical lessons to integrate service with education. 

7. Prescott College

Prescott College is primed for experiential learning. That is, learning isn’t strictly done in classrooms. They proudly state that “we have more vans than classrooms [and] more trails than roads,” amplifying their mission to be a school that provides innovative and dynamic learning to create leaders in an ever-changing world.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $34k

Online rate: $12k

Acceptance Rate: 98%

Graduation Rate: 60%

What’s Unique: Experiential learning 

8. Ottawa University 

Although the origin story for this college begins in Ottawa, Kansas, the local Surprise campus for Ottawa University offers online, evening, and full-time classes with a plethora of higher education options. Some of the top degrees include accounting, psychology, education, and Kinesiology. The primary focus at Ottawa is to help students develop imperative critical thinking skills.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $499/credit

Online rate: $499/credit

Acceptance Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 42%

Stand-out fact: Tuition is the same for in-person and online! 

9. University of Advancing Technology

University of Advancing Technology, located in Tempe, is a school focused on innovation and the cutting edge of technology. It offers over 20 technology degrees, including software engineering, digital arts, cyber security, and game studies. If these degrees appeal to you, this may be the school for you.

Quick Facts

On-campus rate: $13,200/semester

Online rate: $7,150/semester

Acceptance Rate: 92%

Graduation Rate: 43.3%

Special Features: Focused on technology 

10. University of Phoenix

Most people do not realize the University of Phoenix is more than an online school with campuses throughout the States, with Phoenix as home, of course. With physical campuses phasing out, though, the online presence remains strong and at the forefront of the university. Classes are inexpensive, asynchronous, and accredited for a meaningful degree. Degrees range from Bachelors through PHDs with reasonable rates for all, and can be completed with a working schedule, making this university not only affordable, but attainable for the average working adult.

Quick Facts

Online rate: $398/credit

Acceptance Rate: $100

Graduation Rate: 18%

Application date: Rolling application dates with frequent class start dates

Terms to know

Researching colleges and financial aid can be tricky. Here are some terms that will be helpful to know amid the process:

  • Grants are money that you don’t have to pay back.
  • Loans need to be paid back over time.
  • Work Study offers money in exchange for working on campus—this is beneficial if you are also interested in bolstering a resume while studying.
  • General education is part of all undergraduate degrees and involves dabbling in many different subjects.
  • Asynchronous is a structure that allows students to study at their own pace, whereas synchronous is the traditional education standard of meeting in a class at a set time.
  • Undergraduate refers to associate and bachelor degrees, whereas graduate refers to master, doctorate, and Ph.D. degrees.
  • Community Colleges are an asset to the community and offer low rates for completing general education requirements, professional certificates, and even associate degrees.
  • Colleges tend to refer to schools that offer associate and bachelor degrees and certificate programs, AKA undergraduate schools.
  • Universities tend to be geared to higher learning and offer bachelor’s, master’s, Ph.Ds, and doctorate degrees.
  • Ivy League refers to long-established colleges with high rank and prestige, such as Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, and Brown

Closing thoughts

If you are a high school student looking into college, kudos to you! Keep up the good pace. College isn’t for everyone, though, and sometimes it simply isn’t right until later in life. There is absolutely no shame or issue with starting college later than your peers. It is ALWAYS a good time to educate yourself, especially if you feel the drive to do so.

If none of these colleges appeal to your budget, even after looking into financial aid, here are some other online colleges to consider: SNHU, Walden University, SUU Speedway, Capella University, and University of the People. All of these online schools are out of state but are known for low cost per credit.

If you are just looking to learn but don’t require a degree, consider joining Skillshare or surfing YouTube. No matter what you decide to do, may you find the right path that fills your life with purpose.

A bonus resume hack!

If you have a degree or experience and still aren’t landing as many interviews for quality jobs as you would like, this might be for you. For a reasonable rate, you can actually attend an Ivy League school for a certification, thus giving you both education AND the authentic right to have an Ivy League school on your resume.

It may sound silly, but I used this hack after hearing about it and took an investments certification course via Harvard Business School online. Although I graduated from Sierra Nevada University with honors, employers tend to hyper-fixate on the fact that I *went* to Harvard! It’s funny because that was only a 6-week online course for a hobby versus a 4-year foundational degree, but it has clearly played its role well. Finding decent work has been easier ever since. Happy hunting! 


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Author

  • Teacher, writer, and traveler, Trinity lives in a small town and enjoys gardening, cooking, and exploring all things bizarre. Catch her at local ruins exploring haunted histories, in quaint towns with creatives, or at the farmers markets hunting for unique ingredients. Wherever you catch her, be sure to say hi; she’ll want to hear your story, too.

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