Phoenix, Arizona Colleges: Costs & Earnings (2026 stats)
TL;DR
EDsmart Data analysis of 2024 College Scorecard data for Phoenix, Arizona shows: median public in-state tuition $10,888 (+97.5% vs national median) median 10-year earnings $42,186 (-22.3% vs U.S.) employment-outcome proxy 79.0% working & not enrolled at 8 years median graduate debt $9,500 (-29.3% vs U.S.) 191,486 students enrolled statewide.
Key Facts
- Institutions in this profile: 28 campuses
- Total college enrollment: 191,486 students
- Median public in-state tuition: $10,888 (+97.5% vs U.S.)
- Median earnings 10 years after entry: $42,186 (-22.3% vs U.S.)
- Working & not enrolled (8-yr cohort proxy): 79.0% (-8.9 pp vs U.S.)
- Median net price: $21,291 (+113.6% 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): 28.8%
- Median first-year retention (full-time, 4-yr): 66.7%
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Full profile payload including top-college lists and peer comparisons.
Overview
EDsmart Data summarizes higher-education outcomes for campuses in Phoenix, Arizona—costs, debt, enrollment, completion, earnings, and standout institutions—against 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% | 191,486 |
| 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: 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) | $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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $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% |
| 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% |
| 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% |
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 | 6 | $42,186 | 79.0% | 66.7% | 8.2% | — | 42.1% |
Top 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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 10 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, $257,119, Chamberlain University-Arizona
Chamberlain University-Arizona
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Rank 2, 10-Yr ROI, $143,437, Crestpoint University
Crestpoint University
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Rank 3, 10-Yr ROI, $115,100, University of Phoenix-Arizona
University of Phoenix-Arizona
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Rank 4, 10-Yr ROI, $112,570, Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University
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Rank 5, 10-Yr ROI, $-2,548, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix
Top 10 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 10 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 (-29.3% vs U.S. median $13,432). Regional median: $11,012.
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 (-22.3% 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 (-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.
Earnings, employment & retention
Among bachelor's-predominant campuses with ≥200 students, median 10-year earnings in Phoenix, Arizona are $42,186, about -22.3% vs the U.S. campus median ($54,323).
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 87.9% (-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 76.3%—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 $42,186 (6 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%).
FAQ
How many colleges are in Phoenix?
EDsmart Data analysis: this city profile covers 28 campuses in Phoenix, Arizona with College Scorecard cost or outcomes data.
How much does college cost in Phoenix?
EDsmart Data analysis: median in-state tuition in Phoenix is $10,888 and median net price is $21,291. For Arizona overall, medians are $2,358 and $11,852; U.S. medians are $5,512 and $9,967.
What do graduates earn in Phoenix?
EDsmart Data analysis: median 10-year earnings for campuses in Phoenix is $42,186 vs $50,719 for Arizona and $54,323 nationally.
What is student debt like for Phoenix colleges?
EDsmart Data analysis: median completer debt in Phoenix is $9,500 vs $9,500 for Arizona and $13,432 nationally.
What are the best colleges in Phoenix?
EDsmart Data analysis: 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?
EDsmart Data analysis: among 28 campuses in Phoenix, Arizona, 18 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
- Download: JSON