Arizona has it all: urban living in Phoenix, small-town life in Tucson, the Grand Canyon, snow-capped mountains, and so much more. Many excellent schools and universities may be found in this warm, quickly rising state.
They based the ranking of the best colleges in Arizona for 2024 on a thorough examination of the academic, entrance, student life, and financial statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, as well as millions of student and alumni reviews.
When compiling this list of Arizona’s top 10 universities, we focused on school quality, results, and return on investment (ROI).
Retention rate, selectivity, endowment per student, student-faculty ratio, median wages, cost of attendance, and more were all examined. The top ten best colleges in Arizona are shown below:
Table of contents
- 1. University Of Arizona:
- 2. Arizona State University (ASU):
- 3. Northern Arizona University:
- 4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott:
- 5. Arizona Christian University:
- 6. Grand Canyon University:
- 7. Prescott College:
- 8. University of Phoenix:
- 9. Dine College:
- 10. Arizona State University- Polytechnic Campus:
- Conclusion
- References
- Recommendations
1. University Of Arizona:
Tuition: In-state – $12,384; Out-of-state – $34,667
The University of Arizona is one of the best colleges in Arizona. The University of Arizona was established in 1885 as a public university. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 36,503 students (fall 2020), is in the city, and covers 392 acres.
Additionally, the academic calendar is semester-based. The University of Arizona has ranked 103 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2024 edition.
The University of Arizona is a public university with a strong school spirit that aims to inspire students to wonder and help them achieve great things.
Arizona’s student body is varied, with considerable financial aid and nearly 300 undergraduate degree options. Furthermore, Arizona’s vast community has a friendly feel because of its Wildcat spirit, location in the cosy city of Tucson, and the spectacular natural beauty surrounding the campus. It has an 84% acceptance rate and a 64% graduation rate.
Read more: University of Arizona International Scholarship for Students
2. Arizona State University (ASU):
Tuition: In-state – $11,348; Out-of-state – $29,438.
Arizona State University was established in 1885 as a public university. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 63,124 students (fall 2020), is located in an urban area, and covers 2,009 acres.
The academic calendar is semester-based. Arizona State University has ranked 117 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2024 edition.
The flagship university of Arizona is Arizona State University. With 400 undergraduate degree programs to choose from, its huge main campus in Tempe offers an equally broad number of majors.
Additionally, ASU’s programs emphasize inclusion and innovation while providing a personalized education through many campuses and online learning. SAT/ACT scores in the middle 50%: 1120-1360/22-28.
The Edson E+I Institute at ASU offers world-class transdisciplinary research programs and empowering possibilities for entrepreneurs. Its tuition fees are $49,468 for out-of-state students and $30,628 for in-state students. ASU has a retention rate of 85% and a 69% graduation rate.
Read more: Arizona State University Online Programs | Courses, Cost
3. Northern Arizona University:
Tuition: In-state – $11,896; Out-of-state – $26,642
Northern Arizona University was established in 1899 as a public university. It boasts a total undergraduate enrollment of 25,230 students (fall 2020), is in a city and has an 829-acre campus.
The academic calendar is semester-based. Northern Arizona University has ranked 288 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2024 edition.
Furthermore, all Lumberjacks at Northern Arizona University receive a student-centered, service-oriented education. NAU is a significant supporter of first-generation students, who make approximately 46% of the student body.
NAU also has a solid dedication to Native Americans, ranking first in the U.S. for Native American student enrollment and Indigenous Studies programs. It has an 83% acceptance rate and a 52% graduation rate. Its SAT/ACT score is 940-1160 and 20-25.
4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott:
Tuition: $38,966
The private Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Prescott was established in 1926. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,961 students (fall 2020), a suburban environment, and a 539-acre campus.
Additionally, the academic calendar is semester-based. In the 2024 edition of Best Colleges, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Prescott is ranked 2 in Regional Colleges West.
Furthermore, the purpose of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus is to educate tomorrow’s aviation, aerospace, security, and intelligence leaders.
It features the top undergraduate aeronautical engineering curriculum in the country and fleets of planes and helicopters that qualified students in aviation courses can fly!
Top-notch ROTC programs, unusual aeronautical research opportunities, and excursions in the neighbouring Bradshaw Mountains can all help students reach new heights.
The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott has an acceptance rate of 67% and a graduation rate of 65%. SAT/ACT scores in the middle 50%: 1130-1350/23-29.
5. Arizona Christian University:
Tuition: $29,250
Arizona Christian University was established in 1960 as a private college. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 934 students (fall 2020), is in an urban setting, and spans 68 acres. Additionally, the academic calendar is semester-based.
Arizona Christian University has ranked #13 in Regional Colleges West in the Best Colleges 2024 edition. Arizona Christain University is also one of the best colleges in Arizona you should consider.
Arizona Christian University is a culturally and theologically conservative Christian university dedicated to strengthening students’ faith and creating a close-knit community.
It offers 41 different degree programs, many of which are relevant to Christian ministry. Arizona Christian is unique because it has a strong B.S. program. Secondary Education programs are available, as are sociological research opportunities at the Cultural Research Center.
The Christian Arizona university has an acceptance rate of 56% and a graduation rate of 45%. The SAT/ACT scores in the middle 50% are 890-1080/15-21.
6. Grand Canyon University:
Tuition: $17,800
Grand Canyon University is one of the private colleges in Arizona that was established in 1949. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 58,997 students (fall 2019) and a 100-acre campus. Furthermore, the academic calendar is semester-based.
Grand Canyon University is ranked #299-#391 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2024 edition. Grand Canyon University, headquartered in Phoenix, is nearly four hours away from the tourist attraction, despite its name.
The Ken Blanchard College of Business and the College of Fine Arts and Production are two of the university’s six colleges that offer undergraduate degrees. Many of its undergraduate degree programs are broad, yet they allow students to focus on a specific study area.
7. Prescott College:
Tuition: $33,669
Prescott College was established in 1966 as a private institution. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 503 students (fall 2019), is located in the city, and is 13 acres in area.
Furthermore, the academic calendar is semester-based. Regional Universities West, 94- 122, is Prescott College’s ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges.
Prescott College aims to develop diverse learners into leaders. Students may create a flexible, individualized learning experience with customizable degree programs to help them reach their specific goals.
Prescott takes use of its location by linking students with local experiential learning opportunities in every subject of study – students can also enroll in particularly Arizonan field-based courses like Border Studies and the Grand Canyon Semester.
Prescott College admissions are the least selective, with a 97 percent acceptance rate. And a graduation rate of 39%. SAT/ACT scores in the middle 50%: 1060-1185/19-27.
8. University of Phoenix:
Tuition: $9,552
The University of Phoenix is a for-profit college in Arizona. It is ranked #299-#391 in National Universities in the Best Colleges 2024 edition. The institution, founded in 1976, offers associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.
The Higher Learning Commission in Chicago has recognized it, and many of its programs have industry-specific accreditations as well. The primary campus of the institution is in Arizona, but it also has satellite campuses in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.
Students can enrol in online and in-person classes in various subjects. Business, English, early childhood education, and cybersecurity are among the bachelor’s degree programs offered at the school.
It is also one of the best colleges in Arizona. Furthermore, students can use the school’s Center for Mathematics Excellence for tutoring and Writing Excellence for tools to improve their writing abilities while enrolled.
Additionally, professional groups and honour societies, such as the National Student Nurses Association, Sigma Beta Delta honour society, and The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, are available to students.
9. Dine College:
Tuition: In-state – $1,410; Out-of-state – $1,410
Diné College, in the Navajo Nation, is a tribally managed college. Diné’s objective is to provide a high-quality college education to a Navajo-dominated student body.
Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees in humanities, business, STEM areas, social sciences, and Navajo Studies are available.
Several research institutes, such as the Diné Environmental Institute, are based in Diné and strive to address issues that affect the Navajo population.
Additionally, Dine College has an open admission policy and does not require SAT scores.
However, it requires applicants to submit an Official Certificate of Indian Blood (CIB). It also has a 100% acceptance rate and a 17% graduation rate.
10. Arizona State University- Polytechnic Campus:
ASU’s Polytechnic campus offers degree programs in transdisciplinary sciences, engineering, management, technology, education, and more. Arizona State University is also one of the best colleges in Arizona.
The campus provides hands-on learning opportunities in various subjects through industrial relationships, offering students access to projects that provide real-world education and state-of-the-art laboratory spaces.
In between classes, students can relax and enjoy the landscape of the campus desert arboretum and the adjacent Superstition Mountains. Additionally, ASU – Polytechnic is a well-regarded public institution in the Phoenix metropolitan area in Mesa, Arizona. It is a modest college with a total of 4,030 undergraduate students.
The admittance rate at ASU Polytechnic is 84 percent. Engineering, Business Support Services, and Liberal Arts and Humanities are also popular majors. ASU – Polytechnic graduates earn a starting income of $38,300, with 45 percent of students graduating.
Conclusion
The above listed are the ten best colleges in Arizona: their tuition fee, SAT and ACT score, graduation, acceptance rate, and general features. Furthermore, the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas are home to most of Arizona’s top schools and universities.
While most students attend a large university, Arizona also has several small and midsize colleges and universities and a couple of art schools.
References
- 2024 Best Colleges in Arizona | U.S. News Rankings (usnews.com)
- 2024 Best Colleges in Arizona – Niche
- Best colleges in Arizona – Universities.com
- Best Colleges & Universities in Arizona | Rankings (collegeconsensus.com)
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