Phoenix, Arizona Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Colleges in Phoenix, Arizona: median public in-state tuition $10,888 (+97.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $42,186 (-22.4% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 79.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S.) 191,290 students enrolled statewide.
Overview
Colleges and universities in Phoenix serve students across Arizona with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 29 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 191,290 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $10,888. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Phoenix, Arizona and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Phoenix vs Arizona & national benchmarks
Medians aggregate institution-level College Scorecard fields unless noted. Enrollment is total undergraduate headcount summed across reporting campuses.
| Geography | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion rate | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $10,888 | $21,291 | $9,500 | 28.8% | 191,290 |
| Arizona (state median) | $2,358 | $12,055 | $9,500 | 38.0% | 531,808 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 |
Earnings & employment outcomes: Phoenix, Arizona vs benchmarks
Scorecard does not publish formal job-placement rates. We use the share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled (working ÷ working + not working) as a federal employment-outcome proxy. 2-yr and 3-yr default rates are federal cohort default shares (0–1 scale). We show 2-yr default as the primary benchmark; 3-yr default appears only when enough campuses report non-suppressed values (otherwise —). 3-yr repayment progress is the share of completers making progress on loans after 3 years. Sample: bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200. Medians pool campus-level values.
| Geography | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working & not enrolled (8 yr) | Retention (FT yr 1) | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment progress | Debt ÷ earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $42,186 | 79.0% | 66.7% | 8.2% | — | 42.1% | 0.52 |
| Arizona (state median) | $42,359 | 80.3% | 67.9% | 7.1% | — | 61.8% | 0.35 |
| United States | $54,384 | 88.0% | 76.4% | 5.0% | — | 73.7% | 0.41 |
Other cities in Arizona (3+ campuses)
Other cities in the same state with at least three reporting campuses.
| City | In-state tuition | Net price | Median debt | Completion | Enrollment | Earnings (10 yr) | Working (8 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $10,888 | $21,291 | $9,500 | 28.8% | 191,290 | $42,186 | 79.0% |
| Tempe | $12,219 | $20,907 | $9,500 | 40.3% | 88,450 | $48,662 | 83.5% |
| Tucson | $13,926 | $20,372 | $9,500 | 67.5% | 61,547 | $47,318 | 84.3% |
| Scottsdale | $2,808 | $22,586 | $9,500 | 8.7% | 59,711 | $62,668 | 87.8% |
| Chandler | $11,960 | $14,916 | $8,834 | 10.7% | 33,298 | $35,774 | 75.9% |
| Flagstaff | $7,980 | $13,996 | $14,625 | 60.7% | 25,354 | $54,384 | 89.8% |
| Mesa | $7,290 | $21,957 | $9,500 | 15.6% | 17,626 | N/A | N/A |
| Glendale | $15,529 | $24,689 | $15,917 | 27.9% | 14,477 | $51,612 | 86.1% |
| Glendale | $15,529 | $24,689 | $15,917 | 27.9% | 14,477 | $51,612 | 86.1% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,969 | $13,271 | 50.3% | 14,468,221 | $54,384 | 88.0% |
Outcomes by sector in Phoenix, Arizona
Median campus-level metrics within each ownership type (public, private nonprofit, private for-profit).
| Sector | Campuses | Median earnings (10 yr) | Working share (8 yr) | Retention | 2-yr default | 3-yr default | 3-yr repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private for-profit | 5 | $40,010 | 78.9% | 53.7% | 3.9% | — | 39.4% |
Top 4 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by graduation rate (150% time)
Ranked by 150% time completion rate (4-year bachelor's-predominant institutions, enrollment ≥ 500). Higher rate = more students finishing within 150% of normal time.
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Rank 1, Graduation Rate, 50.0%, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, Graduation Rate, 43.5%, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 3, Graduation Rate, 27.3%, Aspen University
Aspen University
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Rank 4, Graduation Rate, 20.8%, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Top 5 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by employment outcome (8 yrs after entry, working & not enrolled)
Ranked by share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled — a federal outcome proxy, not a verified job-placement rate. Enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Employment Outcome, 86.5%, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, Employment Outcome, 81.5%, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 3, Employment Outcome, 79.2%, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 4, Employment Outcome, 78.4%, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 5, Employment Outcome, 74.5%, Aspen University
Aspen University
Top 3 most selective colleges in Phoenix, Arizona (lowest admission rate)
Ranked by lowest admission rate (most selective first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500 and a reported admission rate.
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Rank 1, Admission Rate, 78.9%, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 2, Admission Rate, 90.9%, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 3, Admission Rate, 100.0%, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Top 6 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by entry-level earnings (1 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings one year after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; reflects completers in reported CIP programs, not all entrants.
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Rank 1, Entry-Level Earnings, $98,826, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 2, Entry-Level Earnings, $94,023, Aspen University
Aspen University
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Rank 3, Entry-Level Earnings, $92,781, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 4, Entry-Level Earnings, $85,169, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 5, Entry-Level Earnings, $83,188, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 6, Entry-Level Earnings, $41,422, Crestpoint University
Crestpoint University
Top 6 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by early-career earnings (4 yr post-completion, program)
Ranked by median program-level earnings four years after completion (highest first). Enrollment ≥ 300; program cohort, not institution-wide median.
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Rank 1, Early-Career Earnings, $109,844, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 2, Early-Career Earnings, $109,265, Aspen University
Aspen University
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Rank 3, Early-Career Earnings, $103,884, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 4, Early-Career Earnings, $96,132, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 5, Early-Career Earnings, $87,378, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 6, Early-Career Earnings, $50,315, Crestpoint University
Crestpoint University
Top 5 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by mid-career earnings (6 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings six years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, Mid-Career Earnings, $84,533, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, Mid-Career Earnings, $47,280, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 3, Mid-Career Earnings, $35,359, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 4, Mid-Career Earnings, $32,840, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 5, Mid-Career Earnings, $29,448, Aspen University
Aspen University
Top 5 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by 8-year earnings (8 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings eight years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 8-Yr Earnings, $88,361, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, 8-Yr Earnings, $45,002, Aspen University
Aspen University
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Rank 3, 8-Yr Earnings, $44,013, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 4, 8-Yr Earnings, $36,644, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 5, 8-Yr Earnings, $33,491, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Top 4 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by long-term earnings (10 yrs after entry)
Ranked by median earnings ten years after entry (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr Earnings, $92,405, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, 10-Yr Earnings, $42,186, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr Earnings, $37,752, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 4, 10-Yr Earnings, $34,657, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Top 5 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by 10-year ROI
Ranked by 10-year return on investment (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant institutions with enrollment ≥ 200 and a computed ROI in the EDsmart dataset.
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Rank 1, 10-Yr ROI, $241,649, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $115,354, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $111,659, Crestpoint University
Crestpoint University
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $109,865, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $-15,072, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Top 5 most affordable colleges in Phoenix, Arizona (net price)
Ranked by lowest average net price (most affordable first). Uses overall net price, or mid-income bracket net price for public schools when available. Enrollment ≥ 300.
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Rank 1, Net Price, $13,520, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 2, Net Price, $15,670, Crestpoint University
Crestpoint University
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Rank 3, Net Price, $22,472, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 4, Net Price, $36,660, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 5, Net Price, $40,096, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
Top 4 colleges in Phoenix, Arizona by first-year retention (full-time)
Ranked by first-year, full-time retention rate (highest first). Bachelor's-predominant four-year institutions with enrollment ≥ 500.
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Rank 1, First-Year Retention, 72.0%, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 2, First-Year Retention, 67.9%, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
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Rank 3, First-Year Retention, 66.7%, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 4, First-Year Retention, 40.8%, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
In-state tuition: Phoenix, Arizona vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Phoenix, Arizona median in-state tuition is $10,888, +97.5% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Phoenix, Arizona vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Phoenix, Arizona is $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,004.
Median earnings (10 years out): Phoenix, Arizona vs benchmarks
Payoff
Median earnings 10 years after entry for bachelor's-predominant campuses in Phoenix, Arizona center around $42,186 (-22.4% vs U.S.).
Median institution-level 10-year earnings. Source: College Scorecard.
Employment outcome proxy: Phoenix, Arizona vs benchmarks
Working & not enrolled
The share of the 8-year cohort reported as working and not enrolled—our Scorecard employment proxy—is 79.0% at the median Phoenix, Arizona campus (-8.9 pp vs U.S.).
Percent of 8-year cohort working and not enrolled (not a formal placement rate).
Analysis & insights
EDsmart Data aggregates institution-level College Scorecard data for this profile. Highlights below compare local medians to U.S. and regional benchmarks.
Costs & borrowing
Phoenix, Arizona median public in-state tuition is $10,888, about +97.5% vs the national median. Versus the Southwest region, tuition is +195.4%.
Median graduate debt is $9,500 (-28.4% below the U.S. median of $13,271). Low sticker prices do not always mean low borrowing—living costs, time-to-degree, and aid mix matter.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Phoenix, Arizona are $42,186, about -22.4% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,384).
The median campus reports 79.0% of its 8-year cohort as working and not enrolled—our closest federal proxy to a placement rate. The U.S. campus median is 88.0% (-8.9 pp). Formal job-placement statistics are not published in Scorecard; treat this as a comparative outcome indicator, not a hire guarantee.
First-year, full-time retention at the median campus is 66.7% vs a U.S. median of 76.4%—a leading indicator for completion and time-to-degree.
Loan repayment indicators at the median campus: 2-yr default 8.2% (U.S. 5.0%); 3-yr repayment progress 42.1% (U.S. 73.7%). 3-yr default is omitted when most campuses report suppressed zeros.
Top employment-outcome campuses in this extract include Chamberlain University-Arizona (86.5%), Grand Canyon University (81.5%), Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix (79.2%), University of Phoenix-Arizona (78.4%), Aspen University (74.5%)—useful anchors for local reporting on where graduates are most often working rather than still enrolled.
Completion & workforce context
Within Phoenix, Arizona, sector medians diverge: Private for-profit median 10-yr earnings $40,010 (5 campuses). Public campuses often dominate enrollment while private nonprofits can show higher earnings medians at selective institutions.
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Phoenix, Arizona is 28.8% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Phoenix?
This city profile covers 29 campuses in Phoenix, Arizona with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Phoenix?
Median in-state tuition in Phoenix is $10,888 and median net price is $21,291. For Arizona overall, medians are $2,358 and $12,055; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Phoenix?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Phoenix is $42,186 vs $42,359 for Arizona and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Phoenix colleges?
Median completer debt in Phoenix is $9,500 vs $9,500 for Arizona and $13,271 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Phoenix?
Top campuses on this page include Chamberlain University-Arizona (graduation) and Chamberlain University-Arizona (10-yr earnings). See Top 10 lists for admission, affordability, and employment metrics.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Phoenix?
Among 29 campuses in Phoenix, Arizona, 17 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Carrington College-Phoenix North, Brookline College-Phoenix, and GateWay Community College.
Sources & related
- Arizona college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
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