Best Online Colleges in Arizona

Arizona is home to many top-tier colleges and universities, making it a great destination for students seeking a quality education.
Kathleen Curtis (Previously Katy McWhirter)
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Updated May 1, 2024
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The Grand Canyon State offers a great place to study, whether you’re working on your first degree or seeking a respected Ph.D. program.

Whether you choose to attend one of the many beautiful campuses in person or you’re looking for an online option, Arizona universities offer quality educational options.

We’ll walk you through some of the best online colleges in Arizona, the state’s average tuition rates, and fast-growing jobs.

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In this Article
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Best Online Colleges in Arizona

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools.
from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.
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How We Rank Schools

#1

University of Arizona

  • Tucson, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $500
Out-of-State | $500

Credits to Graduate: 120

The University of Arizona is Arizona's land-grant university, boasting a diverse student body of over 46,000 students. The university offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificate programs online. 

Students can choose to enroll in a degree or certificate program or take a single class. 

The university offers six online start dates throughout the year. Each course is 7.5 weeks long to offer students maximum ability to balance their courses with a career or other responsibilities.

56%

Online Enrollment

$10,990

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

86%

Retention Rate

$33,739

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
87%
Students Enrolled
51,035
Institution Type
Public
#2

Arizona State University Digital Immersion

  • Scottsdale, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Online
  • Accredited

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $560
Out-of-State | $560

Credits to Graduate: 120

The Arizona State University Digital Immersion is part of Arizona State University, one of the most innovative schools in the United States. The university is proud of its culture of innovation and inclusion and has students enrolled from all 50 states and over 130 countries.

Arizona State University's online program has six start dates per year, offering over 300 undergraduate and graduate degrees that are completely online. There are over 82,000 students enrolled in the online program.

98%

Online Enrollment

$10,710

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

74%

Retention Rate

$12,984

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
70%
Students Enrolled
57,848
Institution Type
Public
#3

Northern Arizona University

  • Flagstaff, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $378
Out-of-State | $378

Credits to Graduate: 120

Founded as a teacher's college in 1899, Northern Arizona University now offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with over 150 programs just online. The school enrolls 28,000 students in all of its locations, including online, each year. 

Northern Arizona University is ranked in the top three universities nationally for its virtual student services, as well as number one in the state for the lowest average student debt. All online students receive 24/7 technical support and a personal peer mentor during the fall and spring semesters.

55%

Online Enrollment

$10,650

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

76%

Retention Rate

$26,286

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
80%
Students Enrolled
103,007
Institution Type
Public
#4

Ottawa University-Surprise

  • Surprise, AZ
  • 4 year
  • Campus + Online
  • Accredited

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,060
Out-of-State | $1,060

Credits to Graduate: 120

Ottawa University-Surprise is a division of Ottawa University, a private university that was founded in 1865 and named after the Ottawa Indian tribe. They offer in person classes in both Arizona and Kansas, in addition to online and evening courses in Arizona, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and internationally. 

The university offers undergraduate online programs in 16 different concentrations and four different graduate online programs. Some programs are conducted completely online, while others include a blend of online instruction and in-person interaction.

93%

Online Enrollment

$29,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

54%

Retention Rate

$29,600

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-State
Acceptance Rate
31%
Students Enrolled
972
Institution Type
Private

Cost of College in Arizona

The cost of attending college in Arizona can vary dramatically based on whether you attend a public or private institution, as well as whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition at a public college.

For in-state students, the average tuition cost in Arizona at public universities was $11,452 in 2022. That’s slightly higher than the national average of $9,596.

Meanwhile, the cost of a private four-year education in Arizona ($13,272) is substantially less than the national average ($34,041).

Cost of College in Arizona in 2021-2022
Institution TypeAverage Tuition & Required Fees
Public Four-Year (In-State)$11,452
Public Four-Year (Out-of-State)$26,025
Private Four-Year$13,272
Public Two-Year (In-State)$2,182
Public Two-Year (Out-of-State)$7,333
Source: NCES

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Arizona

Many jobs in Arizona are anticipated to grow over the next ten years, creating opportunities to use your degree in an in-demand field. Many of the fastest-growing jobs in the state center around the healthcare industry, with nurse practitioners projected to grow an incredible 71%.

Other careers on pace for growth include those based in technology. Jobs for data scientists are projected to nearly double in the coming years.

Many of these jobs also offer six-figure salaries. Some may require advanced degrees, so review educational requirements before choosing your path.

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Arizona
JobJob Growth 2022-2032Average Annual Wage 2022
Nurse Practitioners71%$121,410
Physician Assistants51%$122,420
Medical and Health Services Managers50%$121,000
Data Scientists48%$104,220
Physical Therapist Assistants48%$62,880
Occupational Therapy Assistants46%$60,130
Statisticians45%$85,060
Mathematical Science Occupations42%$99,590
Solar Photovoltaic Installers41%$47,880
Home Health and Personal Care Aides40%$31,260
Source: Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Arizona

Arizona State University SkySong offers the most affordable online education in the state, which is under $9,000 a year for in-state students. Other campuses in the ASU system, such as Tempe, also have relatively low tuition rates for their online programs.

If you’re looking for the most affordable educational option in Arizona, you may want to consider earning an associate degree. Public two-year institutions cost approximately $2,182 per year for in-state learners. In general, public colleges cost less than private institutions, especially for residents of Arizona.

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