Arizona has a wealth of higher education resources that provide plenty of opportunity – whether you’re looking for continuing education, customized training, a four-year or graduate degree program, or a technical school to learn valuable job skills.
Phoenix is also known for its higher education opportunities. Area colleges and universities include the Arizona State University (in nearby Tempe), University of Phoenix, Argosy University, Maricopa Community Colleges/Phoenix College (plus several other major campuses), Grand Canyon University, Western International University, and the internationally renowned Thunderbird – The Garvin School of International Management.
In particular, the Arizona State University has over 300 undergraduate and more than 350 masters and graduate degree programs in 18 colleges and schools. One of the largest research-heavy institutions in the U.S., Arizona State University annually devotes over $385 million in research and development expenditures. And, the huge Maricopa Community Colleges network features 10 colleges that specialize in university transfer, continuing education, career and job training programs. Phoenix College, the system’s main campus, is nationally known for its programs in gerontology, dental hygiene, fire science, emergency medical technology, mathematics, art, graphic design, creative writing, and administration of justice.
Recent research comparing Arizona to states of similar size found that Arizona ranked second for average Arizona student test scores on the ACT college entrance exam, and that Arizona is also ranked second among states of similar size for the number of bachelor’s degrees in natural sciences and engineering.
Arizona State University has several primary locations across the Phoenix metropolitan area (with its main campus in Tempe), and there are numerous private colleges that offer associates, bachelors and graduate degrees in many different specialty areas.
There are plenty of opportunities for higher education in Tucson as well, which offers a variety of public and private universities, a large network of community colleges, and a diverse offering of career and training schools.
In particular, the University of Arizona, which has its main campus in Tucson, is one of the largest research-heavy institutions in the U.S. The University of Arizona is also ranked second in research and development expenditures among 11 cities of similar size and 20th in the nation.
Pima Community College has six campuses as well as a variety of Learning/Education Centers in southern Arizona that offer on-campus, alternative and online courses. There are also numerous private colleges that offer associates, bachelors and graduate degrees in many different specialty areas. And, Arizona State University’s main campus in Tempe is about 90 minutes away.
See below for a listing of higher education choices in the Phoenix area, including address, phone, website, college information, degree programs/specialties, tuition (if available), and enrollment (if available). For more information about specific programs and fees, contact the college.
American Indian College of the Assemblies of God
10020 N. 15th Avenue Phoenix 85021 602-944-3335 www.aicag.eduAmerican Indian College (AIC) is “committed to the concept of education as developmental growth, specifically spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical. The Christian philosophy of learning is the center of educational philosophy at AIC.
AIC offers Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Christian ministry, business and elementary education, and served about 86 students in 2012.
Annual tuition and fees in 2013 were about $11,000 for on-campus students (including room & board, tuition, fees, and estimated books), and about $8,000 for off-campus students (including tuition, fees, and estimated books not including room & board).
Anthem College
1515 Indian School Road Phoenix, 85014 888-852-7272 www.anthem.eduBased in Phoenix, Anthem College is a national group of schools and colleges that offers “real-world training programs in healthcare, technology, visual communication, accounting, management and criminal justice,” as well as graduate studies. The Phoenix campus offers training in healthcare and technology.
Specific training programs in Phoenix include medical assistant, CAD/drafting technology, computer networking and security, and electronics technology. Tuition varies, depending on which program a student chooses to enroll.
Anthem College also offers several degree programs that can be completed online.
Argosy University
2233 W. Dunlap Avenue Phoenix, 85021 602-216-2600 866-216-2777 www.argosy.eduArgosy University has 19 locations across the U.S. as well as an online division, offering undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate degrees.
The Phoenix location offers professional certificates, programs and doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s degrees in the college of psychology/behavioral sciences; college of education; college of business; and college of health sciences.
Tuition per credit hour varies with the different degree programs, but overall in-state/out-of-state tuition is roughly $12,000. In 2013, enrollment was about 860 students.
Arizona State University (ASU)
University Dr. and Mill Ave. Tempe, 85287 480-965-9011 www.asu.eduArizona State University (ASU) is a “single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves,” with research that is “inspired by real world application, blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines.”
ASU’s main campus is in Tempe, with several other campuses in the Phoenix metro area, including a large downtown campus. Academic offerings include more than 250 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus a range of certificate programs.
As one of the largest U.S. universities, ASU served more than 72,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries in 2012. Tuition and fees for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus and participating in a college meal plan are about $18,000 annually.
Carrington College
8503 N. 27th Avenue, #A Phoenix, 85051 2701 W. Bethany Home Phoenix, 85017 602-864-1571 www.carrington.eduCarrington offers degree and diploma programs in healthcare, dental and veterinary career fields, and operates several campuses across the western United States.
Programs at the Phoenix campus include dental assistant, fitness trainer, massage therapy, medical administrative assistant, medical assistant, pharmacy technician, and veterinary assistant, medical billing and coding, medical lab technician, medical radiography, nursing, physical therapy technician, and respiratory care. Tuition varies per program.
DeVry University
2149 W. Dunlap Ave. (Phoenix) Phoenix, 85021 602-749-4500 www.phx.devry.eduWith three campuses in the Valley of the Sun—Phoenix, Glendale and Mesa—DeVry University offers courses in business administration, computer information systems, engineering, network and communications management, and management as well as professional graduate certificates in business, office management and health information technology. For 2013-14 the annual tuition and fees are about $8,000, without room and board.
Fortis College
555 N. 18th Street, #110 Phoenix, 85006 602-254-3099 www.fortis.eduFortis college offers education and certifications in a variety of vocations in medical disciplines, including emergency medicine; medical assisting, billing and coding; dentistry and practical nursing. With 10 of the 20 fastest growing occupations being healthcare related, a degree program from Fortis can get you employed in a field with promise.
Grand Canyon University
3300 W. Camelback Road Phoenix, 85017 602-639-7500 800-800-9776 www.gcu.eduFounded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a small, private liberal arts university offering a full range of liberal arts and professional programs at the bachelor’s level and master’s degree level. Programs include online education, online degree programs, campus-based classes, MBA degree programs and an Executive MBA. The private university serves about 25,000 students, and tuition and fees for full-time, undergraduate students are about $16,500 annually.
Maricopa Community Colleges
2411 W. 14th St. Tempe, AZ 85281 480-731-8000 www.maricopa.eduOne of the largest higher education systems in the nation with 10 colleges and two skill centers, the Maricopa Community Colleges system – part of the Maricopa Community College District – serves more than 250,000 students each year.
The district’s colleges offer approximately 1,000 occupational programs (degrees and certificates), 37 academic associate degrees, and 10,254 courses. The district is also the largest provider of health care workers and job training in Arizona – a major resource for business and industry, and for those looking for education and job training.
Major campuses in the Phoenix area include Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Rio Salado, Scottsdale, and South Mountain. Fees for full-time students vary from school to school and whether or not a student lives in the district; cost is generally around $81 per credit hour for a county resident.
Phoenix School of Law
One N. Central Ave. Phoenix, 85004 602-682-6800 / 888-749-5291 www.phoenixlaw.eduThe Phoenix School of Law is a private law school located in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix Law is the only private law school in Arizona and the only one with both full-time and part-time (day and evening) programs. On June 15, 2010, the school announced it had received full accreditation from the American Bar Association. With an enrollment of some 960 students, annual tuition and fees for a full-time student run about $39,000.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
1 Global Place Glendale, 85306 602-978-7000 / 800-848-9084 www.thunderbird.eduFounded in 1946 and located just west of Phoenix in the community of Glendale, the Thunderbird School of Global Management is the “first and oldest graduate management school focused exclusively on global business,” with operations in the U.S., Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Central and South America, Singapore and China. The school has been ranked No. 1 in international business by the Financial Times, U.S. News & World Report, and The Wall Street Journal/Harris Interactive 2007 Survey of Corporate Recruiters.
Full-time programs include MBA in global management, masters of science in global management, masters of arts in global affairs and management, and masters of global management (a dual degree program and post-MBA studies), as well as a range of part-time programs for working professionals. Enrollment for all programs currently about 1,267, and total tuition ranges around $43,000/year, but can vary depending upon individual schedule and electives.
University of Advanced Technology
2625 W. Baseline Road Tempe, 85283 602-383-8228 / 800-658-5744 www.uat.eduFounded in 1983, UAT is a university with multiple areas of study in technical fields, while retaining liberal arts requirements in the Fine Arts and Humanities. It purports a general education comparable to typical universities, with specific emphasis on how its specialized mission integrates technology into its general education requirements. The institution offers unique core classes (e.g., Information Research Strategies, Technology and Society, Project Management, Intellectual Property Law), as well as all traditional ones. Some 800+ students attended UAT in Fall 2012, paying an annual undergraduate tuition of about $10,500.
University of Arizona College of Medicine
550 E. Van Buren Street Phoenix, 85004 602-827-2001 www.phoenixmed.arizona.eduThe University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix campus opened in downtown Phoenix in 2006. Along with its sister campus in Tucson, they are the only MD degree-granting colleges in the state. The college offers full, four-year medical education programs in Phoenix, as well as at the University’s main campus in Tucson.
The program is currently training 183 medical students and plans to graduate 120 physicians per year, when running at full capacity.
University of Phoenix
4635 E. Elwood Street Phoenix, 85040 866-766-0766 www.phoenix.eduA nationally known college headquartered in Phoenix, the University of Phoenix provides “campus locations, online degree programs and flexible scheduling for working adults.”
Offerings include more than 100 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in business and management, communications, criminal justice and security, education, general studies, nursing and health care, human services, psychology and technology.
Fees for full-time students vary from school to school and degree program; for the business and management program, and tuition is roughly $15,000 per year, not counting room and board and other expenses.
Western International University
1601 W. Fountainhead Parkway Tempe, 85282 602-943-2311 / 866-WIU-INFO www.west.eduWestern International University (WIU), a part of Apollo Group, originated with the mindset to offer post-secondary education for adults. Starting out as a campus-based university, it quickly evolved with the times to offer programs online, and now educates more than 80% of students attend classes online. It also has sister schools in the United Kingdom, Chile and Mexico, creating a global educational network.
WIU offers associate, bachelor, and master degree programs, as well as a professional certificate in Accountancy, and most students are “working adults who thrive on the flexibility and convenience of course schedules and locations.”
Current enrollment is about 3200 , and tuition for programs is about $11,000 annually for in-district students.