10 Best Community Colleges in Arizona

Are you an international student looking out for community colleges in Arizona to attend? If yes, follow me, I have very important information about these colleges which I will be sharing with you today. Also, if you are a citizen of Arizona, you can also join us to find out about the best community colleges in your State.

One of the things that students look out for while searching for a school to study their choice of discipline is “finding the best school”. Yes, you read that right. Finding the best school is equal to getting a quality education, and it is obvious that no student wants otherwise.

Today, we will talk about the best community colleges in Arizona, but before we do that, let’s quickly get to know a few things about Arizona.

Arizona, officially nicknamed “The Great Canyon State” is a state in the Western United States, grouped in the Southwestern and occasionally Mountain sub-regions. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states in America, with its capital Phoenix, being the largest city.

It will interest you to know that Arizona has several kinds of food ranging from Navajo fry bread to prickly pear margaritas, chimichangas to Sonoran hot dogs, and lot others, and I think this is why they have several culinary schools spread across their state.

Community colleges are 2-year local public schools that prepare students for a full four-year college bachelor’s degree. Community Colleges in Arizona are usually affordable and have open admission policies.

When it comes to education, Attending any of the community colleges in Arizona can be a satisfactory way for students to ease into the world of higher education and learn at their own pace.

This is primarily true for students who struggled in high school or anyone who’s unsure if they want to make a significant time and money investment in the college. universities in Arizona.

Community colleges in Arizona offer various kinds of programs including accelerated nursing programs, welding programs, and lots more in smaller classes thereby giving more personal attention to students.

Studying in any of the community colleges in Arizona will have you pay extremely cheaper tuition than it would be at a university, and no matter where you decide to begin your education, you can still graduate elsewhere.

Community colleges are not only limited to Arizona, but there are also lots of them in Texas, Florida, and California, and most of these states have a transfer program set up so that you can attend a community college for your first two years and finish your degree at a bigger school.

For international students, there are lots of cheap community colleges in USA you can enroll in and also a list of things you need to know before studying abroad.

Having said that, Let’s get to find out more about community colleges in Arizona.

Are There Community colleges in Arizona for International Students?

Yes, there are. Most of the community colleges in Arizona are open to international students from over 20 States. According to research, Houston Community College System has the most number of international students with about 5,700 current scholars.

Requirements for Community Colleges in Arizona

Admission Requirements for Regular Students

Admission into community colleges in Arizona may be granted to any person who meets at least one of the following criteria:

  • must be a graduate of a high school, which is accredited by a regional accrediting association as defined by the United States Office of Education or approved by a State Department of Education or another appropriate state educational agency.
  • Has a high school certificate of equivalency.
  • Is at least 18 years of age and exhibits evidence of potential success in the community college.
  • Is a transfer student with a good reputation from another college or university.

Admission Requirements for Students Under 18 Years of Age

Community colleges in Arizona shall grant admission to any student who is under eighteen years of age and who achieves at least one of the following:

  • A composite score of 720 or more on the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
  • A composite score of 720 or more on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
  • A composite score of twelve or more on the American College Test (ACT).
  • A passing score on the relevant portions of the statewide assessment.

The completion of a college placement method designated by the community college district indicates the student is at the appropriate college level for the course.

Must be a graduate of a private or public high school or has a high school certificate of equivalency.

    1. A community college may limit the number of semester hours in which the student may enroll to not more than six (6) credit hours.
    2. Homeschooled students are exempt from this sub-section.
    3. Students who enroll in vocational courses may be admitted on an individual basis with the approval of college officials if the students meet the established requirements of the courses for which the student enrolls and the college official determines that the student’s admission is in the best interest of the student.

Community Colleges in Arizona

community colleges in Arizona

  1. South Mountain Community College

South Mountain Community College, also called The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The school is a public community college in Phoenix, Arizona, and was established by the governing board of the Maricopa County Community College District on April 18, 1978.

It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA).

South Mountain Community College offers associate degrees, certificates of completion, courses that transfer to universities, and technology training to 7,500 students each year.

It is a small institution with an enrollment of 936 full-time undergraduate students. The acceptance rate is 100% with popular majors including Liberal Arts and Humanities, Arts, and Business. Graduating 25% of students.

The college takes its name from South Mountain, which is a few kilometers to the south of campus. The main campus is located at 7050 South 24th Street, Phoenix, Arizona. Two additional locations are the Guadalupe Center, 9233 South Avenida del Yaqui (Priest Road, south of Guada

The Maricopa County Community College District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities.  Also, A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.

South Mountain CC and Northern Arizona University (NAU) teamed up to create a program that allows students to complete their bachelor’s degrees on the SMCC campus after finishing their associate degrees. NAU maintains a building on the SMCC campus, offering bachelor’s degree programs in elementary education and interdisciplinary studies.

It is believed that more bachelor’s degrees will be offered at the SMCC campus in the future, based on local interest and enrollment.

South Mountain Community College is currently the 10th best among community colleges in Arizona.

Visit South Mountain CC

2. GateWay Community College

GateWay CC is one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona. It was established in 1968.

Among all the community colleges in Arizona,  GateWay CC happens to be the first to use community advisory committees; the first to tailor courses to the needs of business and industry; the first to offer classes at off-campus locations, and even the first to install a computer.

From a humble beginning in the former Korrick’s Department Store downtown, Maricopa Technical College has flourished for 50 years into today’s GateWay.

Now the college has four campuses conveniently located across the Valley:

  • 18th Street at 555 N. 18th Street, Phoenix
  • Central City Campus at 1245 E. Buckeye Road, Phoenix (formerly Maricopa Skill Center)
  • SouthWest Skill Center at 3000 N. Dysart Road, Avondale (formerly under Estrella Mountain Community College)
  • Washington Campus at 108 N. 40th Street, Phoenix

Additionally, GateWay offers a training facility at their Surprise-GateWay Training Facility in partnership between the City of Surprise and GateWay Community College to hold Water Resource Technologies and Occupational Safety & Health classes.

Clock programs (consisting of the former Maricopa Skill Center and the SouthWest Skill Center programs) are under the Trade and Technical Training Division.

Together, the college offers more than 160 degrees, certificates, and trade, technical, and workforce training options to fit your life, your budget, and your goals for the future. It’s no coincidence our motto is, “Education that works, so you learn more, live better.”

Their talented and compassionate faculty and staff are some of the most dedicated educators you’ll find anywhere, helping you find success in whichever program you pursue!

GateWay Community College was ranked as the 2022 top community college in Arizona for the second time in three years by Niche.com. In addition, GateWay is also ranked as one of the top 100 community colleges in the nation and one of the top 100 best Hispanic-Serving Institutions in America.

Visit GateWay Community College

3. Chandler-Gilbert Community College

Chandler-Gilbert CC founded in 1985 is an above-average public college located in Chandler, Arizona in the Phoenix Area. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 3,797 undergraduate students.

At Chandler-Gilbert Community College, a lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.

CGCC is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an independent corporation aimed at advancing the quality of higher learning in the United States. It is also rated the 5th best among all the community colleges in Arizona by Niche.com.

The school’s acceptance rate is 100%. Popular majors include Arts, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Business.

The prestigious school has more than 70 degrees and certificates that prepare you for work or transfer to a university to pursue your goal.

They encourage self-paced learning by providing various kinds of class formats from which students choose what suits them most. The formats are Hybrid, Online, Live Online, Hybrid Virtual, and In-Person formats.

CGCC is a member of the Maricopa Community Colleges.

Visit Chandler-Gilbert Community College

4. Eastern Arizona College

Eastern Arizona is an above-average public college located in Thatcher, Arizona. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,301 undergraduate students. The Eastern Arizona acceptance rate is 100%. Popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities, HVAC and Refrigeration Engineering Technician, and Nursing Assistant.

Founded in 1888 by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the main campus is located in Thatcher, and its two satellites is located in Gila and Greenlee counties.

The main campus at EAC features the Small Business Center, which is made up of a network of small business professionals and offers free counseling to entrepreneurs.

EAC offers many associates of art curricula that provide the first two years of a four-year program. If your goal is teaching industrial, technical, or vocational courses, this associate of arts program will prepare you, offering the first two years of a four-year program.
It currently has about 6,020 enrolled undergraduate students and is rated 2nd best in community colleges in Arizona.
Visit Eastern Arizona College.

5. Paradise Valley Community College

Paradise Valley CC is an above-average public college located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 2,006 undergraduate students.
The Paradise Valley CC acceptance rate is 100%. Popular majors include Arts, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic). Graduating 28% of students, Paradise Valley CC alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $30,300.
PVCC is overall a friendly campus of reasonable size with understanding staff and a doable workload. Lots of different kinds of professors there, and doing your research and getting to know them will help you find your niche. Good professors are usually quite accessible and helpful.

It is also among the Maricopa community colleges in Arizona that see a lack of English language skills as not being a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District.

As one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), PVCC has created a learning environment that promotes inclusion, positive social change, and community engagement for residents of northeast Phoenix and northern Maricopa County, including Cave Creek, Carefree, and North Scottsdale.

They offer 7 programs and over 30 courses to more than 7,178 credit students each year. Paradise Valley Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and a member of the North Central Association (NCA).

Visit Paradise Valley Community College.

6. Scottsdale Community College

Scottsdale community college which was established in 1969 is a public community college in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is ranked 3rd among the best community colleges in Arizona.

Scottsdale CC is a small institution with an enrollment of 2,013 undergraduate students. The Scottsdale CC acceptance rate is 100%. Popular majors include Liberal Arts and Humanities, Arts, and Business. Graduating 28% of students, Scottsdale CC alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $31,300.

The college is known for high quality, accessible educational opportunities, and innovative teaching, learning, and support services.
SCC serves approximately 10,000 students a year, offering more than 100 degrees and 60 certificates of completion in diverse occupational areas.
Scottsdale is also among the Community Colleges in Arizona that are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

8. Phoenix College

Phoenix College is a public college located in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 2,224 undergraduate students.
The Phoenix College acceptance rate is 100%. Popular majors include Arts, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Business. Graduating 20% of students, Phoenix College alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $26,300.
Phoenix College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Some programs are also accredited and/or approved by other agencies. It is also ranked the 6th best in community colleges in Arizona.
The college has good teachers and classes, overall there is a good personal student-teacher environment. The cafeteria and other food options on campus are nice. In the middle of phoenix, so lots of tourists and restaurants around the college. Very good tuition rates, better than state universities.
It is among the community colleges in Arizona that have up to over 10,000 enrolled students.
Their Degrees and Certificates include Applied Technology, Behavioral Science and Human Services · Business, Entrepreneurialism, and Management · Computer and Information.

9. Cochise College

Cochise is a public college located in Arizona. It is a small institution with an enrollment of 1,310 undergraduate students.
Cochise has a 100% acceptance rate with popular majors including Intelligence, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Nursing Assistant. Graduating 35% of students, Cochise alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $23,200.
It serves the residents of Cochise County from two campuses and four centers throughout Southern Arizona with panoramic views of five different mountain ranges.
Cochise College has many opportunities for its students to participate in undergraduate research programs. Students will gain hands-on experience in many areas of the sciences with a weather station, San Pedro River Research Project, Archaeology, and Microbiome of the San Pedro Valley.
Cochise College has been recognized nationally for its cost, return on investment, and high success rate. Most recently bestvalueschools.org ranked Cochise 12th in the nation for its online Computer Science degree and Intelligent.com listed Cochise as the best Psychology Associate of Arts concentration.
Cochise College is also among the community colleges in Arizona accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
Degrees; Administration of Justice · Associate of Arts Degree · AA – AJS (PDF); Computer Science · Associate of Arts Degree · AA – CSC (PDF); Early Childhood and others.
ASU and Cochise College established a partnership that allows students to complete their associate degree at Cochise and then pursue their ASU bachelor’s degree through classes delivered on the Cochise campus. You can also take advantage of additional cost savings with a reduced ASU tuition rate.

10. Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College is ranked 8th best in community colleges in Arizona. It was established in 1965.

The prestigious college is recognized in its industries and academic fields, faculty deliver a leading-edge curriculum as well as opportunities for students to network with leaders in business, industry, and their fields of academic study.

The college is a community resource for transfer education career preparation developmental education economic development and continuous learning.

It is accredited by the higher learning commission and is also ranked the 8th best in community colleges in Arizona.

Programs at Mesa CC · Accounting, Banking, and Finance · Administration of Justice · Anthropology · Astronomy · Automated Industrial Technology · Automotive Service.
Degrees & Certificates; Accounting. (AAS). Associate in Applied Science (AAS), Pathway Map; Accounting. (CCL). Certificate of Completion (CCL), Pathway Map.
It is the largest of the 10 community colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, the largest community college district in the United States in terms of enrollment.

Conclusion

For each of the Best 10 Community Colleges in Arizona that I listed in this post, there is a link attached to it that leads to the schools’ website. You can find more about any of the colleges by clicking on the link provided just before the next school.

Also note that the requirements for community colleges we provided above is general to community colleges in Arizona, and some schools may have special requirements.

Community Colleges in Arizona – FAQs

Are Community Colleges in Arizona expensive?

For community colleges in Arizona, their average tuition is approximately $3,368 per year for in-state students and $8,322 for out-of-state students in 2022. The average yearly tuition is roughly $14,771 per year for private community colleges.

How Many Community Colleges are in Arizona?

There are 29 community colleges in Arizona with a total enrollment of about 154,000 students.

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