Mesa, Arizona Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Mesa, Arizona shows: median public in-state tuition $7,290 (+32.3% vs national median) median graduate debt $9,500 (-29.3% 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 (+120.3% vs U.S.)
- Median student debt at graduation: $9,500 (-29.3% vs U.S. $13,432); regional median $11,012
- Average completion rate (institutions in state): 15.6%
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Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Mesa, Arizona—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against 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 | $11,852 | $9,500 | 38.6% | 511,703 |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 |
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) | $50,719 | 81.6% | 71.4% | 7.1% | — | 64.8% | 0.35 |
| United States | $54,323 | 87.9% | 76.3% | 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% | 191,486 | $42,186 | 79.0% |
| Tempe | $12,219 | $20,907 | $9,500 | 40.3% | 88,254 | $50,719 | 81.7% |
| Tucson | $13,926 | $19,831 | $9,500 | 67.5% | 61,594 | $47,318 | 84.3% |
| Scottsdale | $2,808 | $22,586 | $9,500 | 8.7% | 59,711 | $62,668 | 87.8% |
| 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% |
| Chandler | $9,948 | $14,660 | $7,000 | 48.0% | 13,146 | $36,144 | 76.9% |
| United States | $5,512 | $9,967 | $13,432 | 50.3% | 14,484,370 | $54,323 | 87.9% |
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 (-29.3% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,012.
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 (-29.3% below the U.S. median of $13,432). 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%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Mesa?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 12 campuses in Mesa, Arizona with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Mesa?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Mesa is $7,290 and median net price is $21,957. For Arizona overall, medians are $2,358 and $11,852; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Mesa?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Mesa is N/A vs $50,719 for Arizona and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Mesa colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Mesa is $9,500 vs $9,500 for Arizona and $13,432 nationally.
Are there HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal, or religious colleges in Mesa?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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