2026 Best Value Education Schools in Arizona

1

Pima Community College
Tucson, AZ

Our analysis ranked Pima Community College the best value for a degree in education in Arizona. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Education graduates carry a median of $16,411 in student loans. Education graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $41,962 early in their careers. Set against $16,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Yavapai College earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of Prescott, Yavapai College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Education graduates of Yavapai College earn a median of $52,087 early in their careers. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cochise College earned it the #3 place for education. Located in the city of Sierra Vista, Cochise College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,013 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cochise College earn a median of $40,712 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt.

4

Central Arizona College
Coolidge, AZ

A rank of #4 makes Central Arizona College one of the best values for education. Set in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, while out-of-state students pay about $4,500. Education graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Education graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Rio Salado College
Tempe, AZ

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rio Salado College earned it the #5 place for education. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Education graduates carry a median of $13,679 in student loans. Education graduates of Rio Salado College earn a median of $48,564 early in their careers. Set against $13,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Arizona Western College
Yuma, AZ

Arizona Western College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Education graduates of Arizona Western College earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers.

7

Mohave Community College
Kingman, AZ

Mohave Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, while out-of-state students pay about $7,968. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,766. Early-career education graduates make about $54,785. Set against $14,766 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Northland Pioneer College
Holbrook, AZ

Northland Pioneer College came in at #8 for value in education this year. Set in the rural area of Holbrook, Northland Pioneer College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Education graduates carry a median of $8,680 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $44,117. That is a strong return on a $8,680 median debt.

9

Eastern Arizona College
Thatcher, AZ

Eastern Arizona College placed #9 among the best values for education. Set in the town of Thatcher, Eastern Arizona College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,352, while out-of-state students pay about $9,552. Education graduates carry a median of $6,781 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $40,304. Set against $6,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Glendale, AZ

Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Glendale, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Education graduates carry a median of $15,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

11

Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College landed the #11 spot for education value this year. Phoenix College is a large public school located in the city of Phoenix. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,204 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.

12

Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ

Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $21,752 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,752 median debt.

13

South Mountain Community College
Phoenix, AZ

South Mountain Community College came in at #13 for value in education this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,825.

14

Chandler Gilbert Community College
Chandler, AZ

Chandler Gilbert Community College came in at #14 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Chandler Gilbert Community College generally make around $46,943. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Mesa Community College
Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College earned the #15 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Education graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $54,730. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Paradise Valley Community College
Phoenix, AZ

Paradise Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $14,204. Education graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. Set against $14,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University placed #17 among the best values for education. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $19,763 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $51,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

18

University Of Phoenix Arizona
Phoenix, AZ

University Of Phoenix Arizona earned the #18 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a very large private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $9,552 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $43,136 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $54,408. That is a strong return on a $43,136 median debt.

19

Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale, AZ

Scottsdale Community College placed #19 among the best values for education. Scottsdale Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Scottsdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Students borrow a median of $13,084 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.

20

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

Northern Arizona University earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,832 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $51,928 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,832 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

American Intercontinental University Online
Chandler, AZ

American Intercontinental University Online placed #21 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Chandler, American Intercontinental University Online is a very large private for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,397. Typical student debt for education graduates is $39,107. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from American Intercontinental University Online generally make around $55,027. Set against $39,107 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

University Of Arizona placed #22 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,691 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $45,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

Prescott College
Prescott, AZ

Prescott College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Prescott, Prescott College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,490 in tuition and fees. Education graduates carry a median of $27,230 in student loans. Education graduates of Prescott College earn a median of $54,860 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,230 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

24

Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ

Grand Canyon University came in at #24 for value in education this year. Grand Canyon University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Phoenix. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,508. Education graduates carry a median of $29,974 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Grand Canyon University generally make around $52,847. Set against $29,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.

25

Arizona Christian University
Glendale, AZ

Arizona Christian University came in at #25 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,098. Students borrow a median of $22,625 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Arizona Christian University earn a median of $40,702 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona Christian University admits about 71% of applicants.