Best Community Colleges in Arizona

Based in Tucson, Pima Community College educates 42,000 students annually, offering degrees, certificates, workforce development opportunities, and continuing education programs. The school also delivers online classes through the Blackboard platform. Learners pay affordable tuition prices based on program type and residency status. On top of federal aid and veterans benefits, PCC provides institutional scholarships for high-achieving students, Pima County residents, and returning learners.

Students who want to complete their education at a four-year institution can enroll in associate transfer programs. Options include fashion design, business administration, early childhood education, sociology, and history. Learners who want to complete their core classes before declaring a major can enroll in the general studies program.

For individuals interested in immediate job placement, PCC offers career training in culinary and food service, medical office administration, and surgical technology. Similarly, active professionals can advance their careers by developing specialized skills in one of four workforce programs. Like other community colleges in Arizona, PCC delivers basic and continuing education classes.

Located in Yuma, Arizona Western College offers more than 100 academic programs at 12 locations. Approximately 11,000 students attend AWC every year, many of whom reside on campus and engage with the school's seven competitive sports teams and 50 student clubs. To enroll, candidates submit an online application and complete placement testing. AWC bases tuition rates on residency status, with in-state residents enjoying the lowest rate. Discounts are available for certain students through the Colorado River Educational Compact and the Western Undergraduate Exchange.

AWC offers career and technical education programs in high-demand industries like radiologic technology, hospitality services, and homeland security. Students can also pursue training in welding, plumbing, and construction management. Additionally, the college offers on-campus and online workforce development education aimed at business and industry professionals. Through these courses, learners develop specialized skills like public speaking and county code enforcement. Consistent with other community colleges in Arizona, AWC provides diverse associate degree tracks leading to transfer opportunities with state universities.

Founded in 1920, Phoenix College is the flagship school of the Maricopa Community College system. The institution enrolls over 17,000 students and delivers 150 academic programs, preparing candidates for university transfer, career training, and professional development. Learners can enroll in day, evening, or online classes, all of which come with affordable tuition prices and financial support. Funding opportunities include work-study positions, government grants, and private awards like the Diane H. Thomas Scholarship for candidates who plan to transfer into a four-year program.

PC offers occupational certificates in areas like medical laboratory science, dental assisting, and paramedicine. Students can pursue careers as entrepreneurs by earning certificates in organizational leadership or social media marketing. As one of the best community colleges in Arizona, PC also offers small business startup training, which covers financial operations, management concepts, and planning strategies. Candidates who want to earn associate credentials choose from diverse options like forensic science, fashion design, and exercise science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy.

Based in Phoenix, GateWay Community College was established as the first technical school in Arizona. Today, the institution operates more than 150 academic degree and career training programs grounded in the needs of local industry and with support from community advisory committees. GWCC offers open admission that requires only that applicants provide identification, submit an online application, and complete placement testing. In addition to affordable tuition and FAFSA-facilitated awards, students benefit from institutional funding that includes craft training program scholarships.

GWCC delivers certificate programs in growing occupational fields like carpentry, medical billing and coding, and precision machining. Students interested in trade-oriented careers can also earn a certificate or associate credentials in automotive technology. Additional associate options consist of archaeology, cybersecurity, health services management, and production technology. GWCC is one of the few community colleges in Arizona to offer a bilingual nursing fellowship program that allows students to obtain both an associate degree and a nursing license within three years.

Mesa Community College serves 21,000 students every year through multiple campuses and learning centers. The majority of MCC students enroll part time, taking advantage of flexible campus-based courses and over 500 online classes. The college delivers 30 remote certificate and degree tracks, enabling students to train in emergency management or earn a transferable associate of general studies.

The academic catalog contains additional associate programs in areas like accounting, multimedia technology, public relations, and sustainable agriculture. Candidates can also develop welding skills, preparing them to work in construction, urban planning, and manufacturing. MCC stands apart from other community colleges in Arizona by offering an associate of applied science in geospatial technologies. This 60- to 77-credit program includes classes in Java scripting, SQL server databases, and human geography.

High-achieving learners who want to pursue advanced academics can apply for the honors program. This opportunity lets them access customizable curricula, small-group learning, and one-on-one faculty advisement. Honors students also enjoy full tuition scholarships and study abroad stipends.

Central Arizona College maintains five campuses and three learning centers across Pinal County. The school delivers affordable and career-focused programs to a diverse student population, many of whom come from Hispanic and Native American backgrounds. CAC operates an open enrollment policy and low tuition rates based on residency status. Out-of-state students can access discounts through the Western Undergraduate Exchange.

Similar to other community colleges in Arizona, CAC offers university transfer programs. Students choose from associate degrees in arts, business, science, applied science, and general studies. Candidates who do not want to commit to a field of study may enroll in the general education curriculum. This certificate option fulfills all lower-division requirements and prepares students to transfer into bachelor's-completion tracks at public Arizona universities.

CAC also offers occupational certificates that enable learners to pursue entry-level employment. Options include equine management and training, paramedicine, firefighter operations, and massage therapy. Students can also earn certificates in general, structural, and pipe welding.

Northland Pioneer College serves over 7,000 students at four campuses and five learning centers located across Navajo and Apache counties. The school offers seven associate programs that guarantee transfer to public state universities. Learners can also enroll in 29 occupational associate programs and 67 certificate tracks. NPC provides affordable tuition rates based on residency status in addition to generous scholarships. Funding opportunities include awards specifically for accounting and automotive students.

As one of the best community colleges in Arizona, NPC offers free college-level classes to high school students within its service area. Juniors and seniors can complete coursework toward associate degrees and eventually transfer into bachelor's-completion programs. Alternatively, they may pursue career training in industries like computer information technology and cosmetology. The college also offers nursing assistant training that prepares candidates for immediate job entry or an RN program. Furthermore, NPC delivers distance education options that include online teaching courses with the lowest tuition price in the state.

Located in Flagstaff, Coconino Community College enrolls 8,500 learners in over 50 occupational and academic programs. CCC supports a student population that largely consists of rural inhabitants and members of the Navajo, Hopi and Supai tribes. To meet the needs of its diverse learners, the college offers flexible in-person courses, interactive television classes, and distance education options. Students pay affordable tuition rates based on where they reside, with in-county residents benefiting from the lowest price.

The school offers career-focused certificate programs in areas like hotel and restaurant services, fire science, and construction technology. CCC is one of the few community colleges in Arizona to deliver two levels of environmental technology certificates that emphasize alternative energy. Coursework covers topics like solar water heater systems, photovoltaics and wind energy, and house wiring. Similarly, learners can enroll in an associate program in sustainable green building, taking classes in solar greenhouse design and rainwater harvest systems. Additional associate programs include prehealth, sociology, and American Sign Language interpretation.

Rio Salado College enrolls 52,000 students in campus-based and remote learning programs. The school offers 50 certificates and degrees as well as more than 500 online classes. Courses start every Monday, enabling traditional students and working professionals to begin their education on their own schedule. RSC bases its low tuition prices on residency status and offers discounts to military personnel, formerly incarcerated persons, and students eligible for the Western Undergraduate Exchange.

Consistent with other community colleges in Arizona, RSC features transfer-focused associate programs in liberal arts, science, business, and elementary education. Students can also earn a two-year degree in general studies that prepares them for specialized training at the baccalaureate level. Due to the school's emphasis on distance education, the majority of RSC's programming is online. Options include entrepreneurial studies, nanotechnology, and military leadership. Distance learners can also enroll in dental assisting and hygiene programs. Furthermore, the college delivers teacher education training that includes residency programs, endorsement options, and professional development opportunities.

Based in Kingman, Mohave Community College serves over 6,000 students annually. On top of an accessible admissions process, the school offers one of the lowest tuition rates among community colleges in Arizona. MCC also provides financial aid, which includes scholarships for Mohave County high school students. Additionally, learners benefit from comprehensive academic resources and career services.

The academic catalog contains over 40 program options, including certificates in practical nursing, paralegal, and healthcare information technology. Students can pursue an HVAC certificate, with options for residential work and commercial refrigeration. The school also features opportunities in automotive service technology and collision repair.

MCC operates a robust distance education platform that offers fully asynchronous and hybrid classes. Learners can pursue online associate degrees in fields like administration of justice, accounting, history, and computer graphics and web design. Students can also earn an associate of substance abuse counseling, which prepares them for careers in health education, correctional treatment, mental health counseling, and social work.