Mesa, Arizona Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
Colleges in Mesa, Arizona: median public in-state tuition $7,290 (+32.3% vs national median) median graduate debt $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S.) 17,626 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 12 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 17,626 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $7,290 (+32.3% vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $21,957 (+120.2% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. $13,271); regional median $11,004
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 15.6%
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Overview
Colleges and universities in Mesa serve students across Arizona with associate, bachelor's, and graduate pathways. 12 reporting campuses in this city profile, with about 17,626 students enrolled in federal data, and median in-state tuition near $7,290. Tables below compare costs, completion, earnings, and standout institutions against Mesa, Arizona and U.S. medians from the College Scorecard.
Mesa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa, Arizona | $7,290 | $21,957 | $9,500 | 15.6% | 17,626 |
| 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: Mesa, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa, Arizona | N/A | N/A | N/A | — | — | N/A | N/A |
| 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mesa, Arizona | $7,290 | $21,957 | $9,500 | 15.6% | 17,626 | N/A | N/A |
| Phoenix | $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% |
| 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% |
In-state tuition: Mesa, Arizona vs benchmarks
Sticker price
Mesa, Arizona median in-state tuition is $7,290, +32.3% vs the U.S. median.
Student debt: Mesa, Arizona vs benchmarks
Borrowing
Median debt at graduation in Mesa, Arizona is $9,500 (-28.4% vs U.S. median $13,271). Regional median: $11,004.
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
Mesa, Arizona median public in-state tuition is $7,290, about +32.3% vs the national median. Versus the Southwest region, tuition is +97.8%.
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.
Completion & workforce context
Average institution-level completion rate across all sectors in Mesa, Arizona is 15.6% (national institution average about 50.3%).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colleges are in Mesa?
This city profile covers 12 campuses in Mesa, Arizona with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Mesa?
Median in-state tuition in Mesa is $7,290 and median net price is $21,957. For Arizona overall, medians are $2,358 and $12,055; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,969.
What do graduates earn in Mesa?
Median 10-year earnings for campuses in Mesa is N/A vs $42,359 for Arizona and $54,384 nationally.
What is student debt like for Mesa colleges?
Median completer debt in Mesa is $9,500 vs $9,500 for Arizona and $13,271 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Mesa?
Among 12 campuses in Mesa, Arizona, 7 campuses with at least 25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard demographics—a common Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) eligibility proxy; examples include Carrington College-Mesa, Avalon Institute-Mesa, and Mesa Community College.
Sources & related
- Arizona college profile
- All college profiles
- National benchmarks
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
- Download: JSON