Best jmcomicÂþ»s in Arizona
Arizona is home to a variety of reputable universities, such as Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona, all of which offer an array of online degree programs. The best online schools in Arizona leverage cutting-edge virtual learning platforms and provide student support services to distance learners.
Key Takeaways:
- All of our most affordable schools have tuition costs below $13,900.
- The University of Arizona has an A- Salary Score, with median graduate earnings above $65,900.
- Arizona State University has an 84% recommendation rate, one of the highest in the state.
Our methodology diverges from traditional ranking formats by categorizing colleges within a state based on specific attributes that matter to you. For online schools in Arizona, we use the following categories: Best by Salary Score, Best by Affordability, Highest Rated by Students, and Honorable Mention, each offering unique insights to guide your educational journey.
Featured Popular jmcomicÂþ»s
Grand Canyon University
- Online Enrollment: 83,261
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers a range of accredited online degree programs, allowing you to pursue higher education with flexibility suited for balancing personal and professional commitments. With nearly 93,000 online students in Fall 2023, our e-learning platform connects you to a diverse collegiate community, providing an education equal in quality to traditional on-campus programs. GCU's tuition is consistent for all students, regardless of residency, supplemented by scholarship opportunities and special military rates. Our institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, ensures its programs meet rigorous academic standards, delivering career-ready graduates across multiple disciplines.
Arizona State University, Online
- Online Enrollment: 70,052
At Arizona State University Online, you join a top-ranked, innovative institution renowned for accessibility and program quality. ASU Online has achieved significant milestones with over 96,700 enrolled online students and more than 100,000 online graduates to date. Offering an expansive selection of over 300 online degree programs across diverse fields including business, science, and engineering, ASU supports your career aspirations with industry-leading faculty and cutting-edge technology. Recognized as the #1 university in the U.S. for innovation, ASU empowers you to excel in your career and make meaningful contributions to society.
The University of Arizona Global Campus
- Online Enrollment: 32,580
At the University of Arizona Global Campus, our flexible online degree programs cater to your busy lifestyle. Through our accredited courses, you can pursue your academic interests in areas such as Business, Criminal Justice, and Health Care. Our programs last 5-6 weeks, enabling you to manage other life responsibilities. Notably, we offer up to three weeks of risk-free classes with our UAGC Promise, no application fees, and no standardized testing requirements. Whether you're starting fresh or transferring credits, UAGC supports your educational journey in achieving a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at your own pace.
Best by Salary Score
This assessment of online schools focuses on the earnings of their graduates to measure the long-term financial benefits of their degrees. We calculate Salary Scores based on the average salaries of alumni four years after graduation, utilizing data from the College Scorecard. Institutions with higher Salary Scores indicate stronger earning possibilities. The highest earning online school in Arizona reports median alumni earnings above $65,900.
University of Arizona
Why We Like Them:
UA stands out with a median graduate earnings of $65,904, placing it in the top 21% nationwide. Its 86% retention rate puts it in the leading 13% among academic institutions, and 97% of students would recommend its online programs. UA has a significant online presence with 9,617 distance learning students, placing it in the top 4% of universities for online enrollment. Online degrees are offered in fields such as agricultural sciences, animal and veterinary sciences, law and policy, mathematics, and data science, allowing you to pursue a wide range of careers.
What Students Say:
"Great school! Professors are well-qualified and helpful in preparing you for a future career. The challenging environment promotes skill improvement and is welcoming to international students like me. Highly recommended."
Orianna Cascarano, Graduated 2019
Best by Affordability
The Best by Affordability category highlights institutions that offer annual tuition at the bachelor’s level. Schools must provide a global tuition rate below $30,000 and meet the degree offering criteria specified by the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The most affordable schools in Arizona have tuition costs below $14,000.
University of Phoenix
Why We Like Them:
UoPX is noted for its affordability in online higher education with a low tuition of $11,940. This positions it among the top 10% of colleges in terms of cost-effectiveness, a crucial factor if you're looking for an affordable degree program. Additionally, UOPX has a very high online enrollment, with 69,819 online students, situating it within the top 1% of American universities for students studying online. This massive student body indicates a strong, well-established infrastructure for virtual learning, providing ample opportunities for community engagement and peer-to-peer interactions.
Arizona Christian University
Why We Like Them:
With a tuition rate of $13,500, ACU is situated in the top 30% for affordable online degrees. The university also stands out for its strong financial help, offering an average aid package of $19,174, placing it in the top 22% nationwide. This focus on affordability and support means that pursuing higher education at ACU comes with less financial burden. What's more, every student at ACU receives some form of financial aid, highlighting the university's commitment to making education accessible to all. These combined factors make a compelling case for choosing ACU for your online studies.
University of Advancing Technology
Why We Like Them:
UAT offers tuition of $13,900, allowing students to study online at a comparable rate to other 4-year institutions. Its student-to-faculty ratio of 11:1 makes for a more personalized education experience. This impressive state places UAT in the top 13% of online schools in this metric. All students receive financial aid, highlighting the university's commitment to accessibility. UAT's online programs cover degrees in business technology, cyber security, game production, network security, and software engineering. These programs are designed for flexibility, utilizing asynchronous learning and the unique SyncFlex format, making them ideal for working professionals.
Highest Rated by Students
The schools on our Highest Rated by Students list are evaluated based on reviews from alumni, providing a direct measure of student satisfaction. To be eligible, institutions must have at least 20 student reviews on OnlineU or GradReports and a minimum review rating of 3.5 out of 5. The highest rated online school in Arizona has a student review score of 3.89.
Arizona State University, Online
Why We Like Them:
ASU excels with an overall review rating of 3.89 out of 5, showcasing high student satisfaction. Its online program boasts a 90% recommendation rate, indicating a strong endorsement from the majority of students. This reflects the university's commitment to providing a positive learning experience. ASU's online enrollment of 66,946 students demonstrates ongoing student contentment and success. Further proof comes from its military enrollment of 7,833 students, which shows flexible support for military personnel. ASU Online offers a diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs ranging from engineering to law and nursing.
Honorable Mention
Our Honorable Mention section showcases schools with unique offerings and specific reasons why we recommend them, ranging from strong online enrollment numbers or favorable student-to-faculty ratios. For example, some of our choices for the best online schools in Arizona have military enrollments of up to 1,058, while others offer impressive financial aid packages.
Northern Arizona University
Why We Like Them:
NAU's place in our Honorable Mention category is driven by its excellent online enrollment, placing in the top 12% with 5,570 online learners. Students highly suggest its programs, giving the school a review rating of 3.63 out of 5 and a recommendation rate of 84%. NAU offers a broad selection of online degrees, from bachelor's to doctoral programs, including popular options like a Master of Social Work, Master of Public Administration, and Master of Science in Nursing. With over 30 years of excellence in distance learning, NAU is dedicated to quality and accessibility, making it an excellent choice for potential students.
What Students Say:
"The most important factor that attributes to my school overall greatness is the availability of online courses/degrees. My entire bachelor's degree was earned online and I loved the convenience of it. A variety of classes are also available. I also like that my school provides me with early enrollment because it allows me to register for the classes I need ahead of time."
Denise Rodriguez, Graduated 2016
Prescott College
Why We Like Them:
Prescott has a highly favorable student-faculty ratio of 9:1, placing it within the top 12% of online schools nationally. The low ratio means you'll get personalized attention and a more customized educational experience. We also like to see that the average financial aid package of $20,149. This commitment to accessibility is complimented by the fact that 100% of its students receive financial aid. These attributes collectively ensure that you receive both academic support and financial assistance, whether you're studying counseling, outdoor leadership, or sustainable food systems.
Featured Popular jmcomicÂþ»s
Grand Canyon University
- Online Enrollment: 83,261
Grand Canyon University (GCU) offers a range of accredited online degree programs, allowing you to pursue higher education with flexibility suited for balancing personal and professional commitments. With nearly 93,000 online students in Fall 2023, our e-learning platform connects you to a diverse collegiate community, providing an education equal in quality to traditional on-campus programs. GCU's tuition is consistent for all students, regardless of residency, supplemented by scholarship opportunities and special military rates. Our institution, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, ensures its programs meet rigorous academic standards, delivering career-ready graduates across multiple disciplines.
Arizona State University, Online
- Online Enrollment: 70,052
At Arizona State University Online, you join a top-ranked, innovative institution renowned for accessibility and program quality. ASU Online has achieved significant milestones with over 96,700 enrolled online students and more than 100,000 online graduates to date. Offering an expansive selection of over 300 online degree programs across diverse fields including business, science, and engineering, ASU supports your career aspirations with industry-leading faculty and cutting-edge technology. Recognized as the #1 university in the U.S. for innovation, ASU empowers you to excel in your career and make meaningful contributions to society.
The University of Arizona Global Campus
- Online Enrollment: 32,580
At the University of Arizona Global Campus, our flexible online degree programs cater to your busy lifestyle. Through our accredited courses, you can pursue your academic interests in areas such as Business, Criminal Justice, and Health Care. Our programs last 5-6 weeks, enabling you to manage other life responsibilities. Notably, we offer up to three weeks of risk-free classes with our UAGC Promise, no application fees, and no standardized testing requirements. Whether you're starting fresh or transferring credits, UAGC supports your educational journey in achieving a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree at your own pace.
Higher Education in Arizona
In the heart of the Southwest sits Arizona, home to approximately 7,360,000 people. Many of these residents are employed in the state's , which include agriculture, natural resources, aerospace, astrophysics, biosciences, and the military. Among the headquartered in Arizona are Banner Health, HonorHealth, and Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
In Arizona, you'll find a wealth of opportunities to earn an undergraduate or graduate degree through traditional on-campus programs and especially through distance education. This state is home base for three of the largest online education providers — Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and the University of Phoenix.
Many students enrolled in online colleges in Arizona opt for bachelor's degrees in business administration, health sciences, information technology, and criminal justice. Some of the more common online graduate programs include a master's in business administration or master's in social work.
Before enrolling in an Arizona online college or in-person university, applicants should check each school's accreditation status. All of the schools on our list of the best online colleges in Arizona are accredited, usually by the Higher Learning Commission () or the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (). Accreditation is an important factor when it comes to receiving financial aid, transferring credits between colleges, getting accepted into graduate school, or obtaining a state-issued license to practice certain professions, such as teaching or nursing.
Interested in preparing for healthcare and social work careers in Arizona? Explore our Online Nursing Programs in Arizona and Online MSW Programs in Arizona pages.
FAQs About jmcomicÂþ»s in Arizona
How Many Colleges Are in Arizona?
The College Navigator, which provides data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), lists a total of of higher education in Arizona. The state's three biggest campuses — Arizona State University in Tempe, Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and the University of Arizona in Tucson — are all public schools. Arizona also operates about 20 community colleges. As for private colleges, most are smaller institutions that tend to specialize in specific subjects, such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott and the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe.
How Much Is Arizona College Tuition?
The most current data provided by the NCES indicates that Arizona's college may be higher than the national averages for resident students but lower for nonresident students. Learners who are concerned about the total cost of earning a college degree may want to consider some of the following cost-saving tips:
- Enroll in an Arizona college online degree program that offers a lower tuition rate for its online degree programs than for its campus programs.
- Complete your general education coursework at an affordable online community college in Arizona, then transfer to a four-year university to complete your undergraduate degree.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. You'll be considered for federal aid programs, such as the Pell Grant, as well as state-funded programs, including .
Do Arizona Colleges Have Reciprocity With Other States?
Yes, Arizona participates in three reciprocity programs that allow eligible undergraduate and graduate students to attend college in many Western states for less than the standard out-of-state tuition rates and vice versa. These reciprocity agreements are monitored by the .
Looking for online programs in a particular state? Discover the possibilities on our List of jmcomicÂþ»s By State.





