Arizona colleges and universities · 2026 guide
Arizona has three major public research universities, the largest community college system in the US, and a range of private and specialized institutions. This guide covers every significant Arizona college with enrollment, admission notes, and scholarship context for each.
Public universities (AZ Board of Regents)
Arizona State University (ASU)
Tempe / Phoenix / Mesa / GlendalePublic R1 · All campuses · 158,000+ (largest public university in the US)
Admission: Rolling admission (no cutoff for AZ residents meeting assured standards)
Home of the Barrett Honors College, Thunderbird School of Global Management, and the Flinn Scholars program. New American University Scholarship covers full tuition for qualifying AZ residents. Strong engineering, journalism, and business programs.
University of Arizona (UA)
TucsonPublic R1 · AAU member · 50,000+
Admission: Rolling; Assured Admission for AZ residents with qualifying GPA/class rank
Founded 1885; research-intensive AAU member. Top programs in astronomy, optics, planetary science, public health, and law. The Wildcat Excellence Award is a competitive in-state merit award. Home of the Flinn Scholars co-selection site.
Northern Arizona University (NAU)
FlagstaffPublic R2 · 31,000+
Admission: Rolling; accessible admissions for AZ residents
Strong programs in education, forestry, hospitality, nursing, and hotel and restaurant management. Mountain campus with strong student life. NAU Early College gives high school students access to real NAU credits. Presidential scholarship program for top students.
Community colleges
Arizona community colleges use the AGEC (Arizona General Education Curriculum) — a 35-credit transfer block that fulfills all general education requirements at ASU, UA, or NAU. Completing the AGEC at a community college often costs $3,000–$8,000 vs. $30,000+ at a 4-year school for the same credits.
Maricopa Community Colleges
Phoenix metroCommunity College District (10 colleges) · 140,000+
The largest community college system in the US. Includes Mesa CC, Scottsdale CC, Chandler-Gilbert CC, Glendale CC, and more. AGEC transfer block gives seamless transfer to ASU, UA, or NAU. Pell Grant often makes attendance free. Strong dual enrollment pipeline.
Pima Community College
Tucson metroCommunity College District (6 campuses) · 30,000+
Southern Arizona's largest CC. Deep dual enrollment partnerships with TUSD. Strong transfer pipeline to UA. Pell + Pima CC Foundation scholarships often make attendance free or close to it.
Coconino Community College
FlagstaffCommunity College · 4,000+
Northern Arizona's community college. Strong transfer pipeline to NAU. Serving Coconino County including significant Native American populations; tribal scholarship pathways available.
Yavapai College
PrescottCommunity College · 7,000+
Serves north-central Arizona. Strong nursing, fine arts, and trades programs. AGEC transfer block applies; transfer to ASU/UA/NAU.
Mohave Community College
KingmanCommunity College · 4,500+
Northwestern Arizona CC with campuses in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, and North Las Vegas. Serves rural AZ students with affordable access to transfer-ready education.
Private and specialized institutions
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
PhoenixPrivate · Christian · 24,000+ on-campus; 90,000+ online
Christian university with large residential campus. Strong programs in nursing, education, and business. High online enrollment. Check net price carefully — discount scholarships are common but the list price is high.
University of Arizona Global Campus
Chandler (online)Private · Online · 28,000+
Formerly Ashford University. Online-only institution. Check transfer credit acceptance carefully at other institutions. Accredited regionally.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott)
PrescottPrivate · Specialized · 3,000+
One of only two Embry-Riddle residential campuses. Top aviation, aerospace engineering, and unmanned systems programs. High placement with airlines, NASA, and defense.
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Glendale (Phoenix metro)Graduate · ASU affiliate · 1,500+
Graduate school specializing in global business and management. Affiliated with ASU since 2014. Top-ranked MBA programs with international focus.
A.T. Still University
MesaPrivate · Health Sciences · 3,200+
Health sciences university (osteopathic medicine, dental, physical therapy, health education). Not an undergraduate institution — graduate and professional programs only. Scholarship pathways for health-profession track students.
Midwestern University
GlendalePrivate · Health Sciences · 4,300+
Health professions university with programs in pharmacy, PA studies, dental medicine, optometry, and medical. Graduate and professional programs only.
Tools for choosing the right school
College list builder
Build a reach/match/likely list with AZ public universities as one-tap quick-adds.
AZ assured-admission check
See if your GPA and class rank meet ASU/UA/NAU guaranteed admission standards.
2+2 transfer-path calculator
Exactly how much the CC → transfer path saves for your target 4-year school.
Community college cost with aid
How Pell often makes AZ community college free or nearly free.
Compare award letters
Compare actual net cost across your acceptance letters — not the sticker price.
Dual enrollment in Arizona
Earn free CC credits in high school — the AGEC transfer block explained.