What are the public universities in Arizona?

Arizona has three public universities governed by the Arizona Board of Regents: Arizona State University (Tempe/Phoenix/Mesa/Glendale, 158,000+ students), University of Arizona (Tucson, 50,000+), and Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, 31,000+). All three offer assured admission to Arizona residents who meet minimum GPA and class rank standards.

Is ASU or UA better for Arizona students?

It depends on your major and goals. ASU is stronger in journalism, business, engineering, and sustainability programs and has the largest honors college (Barrett) in the US. UA is stronger in sciences, public health, astronomy, and pre-med, and is an AAU research university member. Both offer full-tuition scholarships to top AZ students (Flinn Scholars is co-hosted). The best school is the one with the strongest program in your field and the best financial aid package for you.

Are community colleges worth it in Arizona?

For most students, Arizona community colleges are the highest-ROI first step. The Pell Grant often makes Arizona community college free (sometimes with a refund check). The AGEC transfer block (35 credits) transfers seamlessly to ASU, UA, or NAU, letting students arrive as sophomores. Students who start at Maricopa CC and transfer to ASU graduate with the same diploma as students who entered as freshmen — at significantly less total cost.

What GPA do you need to get into ASU?

ASU has assured admission for Arizona residents who meet any of: (1) top 25% of graduating class, (2) 3.0 GPA with no grade below a C in core courses, or (3) ACT 22+ / SAT 1120+. ASU does not have a traditional acceptance/rejection process for AZ residents who meet these standards — admission is effectively guaranteed. Students who don't meet the standards can apply via the "Earned Admission" track.

Arizona colleges and universities · 2026 guide

Colleges and universities in Arizona

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.

Build your college list AZ assured-admission check

Public universities (AZ Board of Regents)

Arizona State University (ASU)

Tempe / Phoenix / Mesa / Glendale

Public 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)

Tucson

Public 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)

Flagstaff

Public 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 metro

Community 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 metro

Community 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

Flagstaff

Community 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

Prescott

Community 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

Kingman

Community 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)

Phoenix

Private · 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)

Prescott

Private · 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

Mesa

Private · 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

Glendale

Private · 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.

What to do next

Build your college list

Reach / match / likely — with AZ public universities pre-loaded for one-tap adding.

Check your AZ admission odds

ASU, UA, and NAU guaranteed-admission standards — verify you qualify before applying.

Colleges and universities in Arizona

Colleges and universities in Arizona

Related guides · Find opportunities

Colleges and universities in Arizona