Best Value Schools for a degree in Arizona

Here are the most affordable colleges in Arizona. We have sorted our list based on the average cost of attendance after financial aid is factored in. In-state tuition is used for public universities.

1. Prescott College

   Prescott College is a four-year, medium full-time , selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Prescott, AZ. It has an enrollment of 383 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 99.32%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,226.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1.

   The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

   Recent Graduate Salaries

   (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

   • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $43,426

   Prescott College School Spirit

   Prescott College has a strong sense of school spirit, which is fueled by its tight-knit community and commitment to environmental sustainability. The college’s student body is highly engaged, with many students participating in extracurricular activities, clubs, and events. Prescott College is known for its outdoor adventure programs, so many students are passionate about exploring the surrounding Arizona wilderness. From attending sporting events to volunteering in the community, Prescott College students are proud to be part of this unique and socially conscious institution.

   Learn more about Prescott College

2. Northern Arizona University

   Northern Arizona University is a four-year, full-time, inclusive, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Flagstaff, AZ. It has an enrollment of 23,772 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 78.35%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $14,636.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 21 to 1.

   The average SAT score was unreported for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was unreported for the incoming class to 2023.

   Recent Graduate Salaries

   (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

   • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,774
   • Forestry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
   • Forestry. (Master’s Degree) – $41,193
   • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,138
   • Communication and Media Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $40,461
   • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,322
   • Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,784
   • Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,612
   • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $76,117
   • Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education. (Master’s Degree) – $52,385
   • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $50,677
   • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $79,081
   • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,937
   • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $43,426
   • Special Education and Teaching. (Graduate/Professional Certificate) – $55,547
   • Student Counseling and Personnel Services. (Master’s Degree) – $43,974
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,741
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $41,457
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,717
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $48,326
   • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $54,252
   • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $74,890
   • Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
   • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,350
   • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,714
   • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,602
   • English Language and Literature, General. (Master’s Degree) – $46,924
   • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $41,286
   • Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,772
   • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,260
   • Biology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $38,289
   • Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,459
   • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,420
   • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
   • Cultural Studies/Critical Theory and Analysis. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,351
   • Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,569
   • Health and Physical Education/Fitness. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,055
   • Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,157
   • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,685
   • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Master’s Degree) – $45,696
   • Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $37,568
   • Physical Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,212
   • Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,189
   • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,409
   • Psychology, General. (Master’s Degree) – $33,993
   • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Master’s Degree) – $59,124
   • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $42,682
   • Social Work. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,678
   • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,967
   • Anthropology. (Master’s Degree) – $46,478
   • Criminology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,348
   • Geography and Cartography. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,384
   • International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,060
   • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,043
   • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,277
   • Design and Applied Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,726
   • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,166
   • Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,374
   • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $19,227
   • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
   • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $60,298
   • Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,110
   • Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $101,406
   • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,792
   • Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. (Doctoral Degree) – $71,183
   • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,364
   • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $92,632
   • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,886
   • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $65,042
   • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,829
   • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
   • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,930
   • Hospitality Administration/Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $39,257
   • Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,253
   • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,667
   • Construction Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,219
   • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236

   Northern Arizona University School Spirit

   Northern Arizona University is known for having a lively and engaging campus culture, with a strong emphasis on school spirit. Students and alumni alike take great pride in their affiliation with the university and frequently participate in campus events, rallies, and athletic competitions to show their support for the Lumberjacks athletic teams. Additionally, Northern Arizona University boasts a number of traditions and symbols that reinforce school spirit, such as the NAU fight song, the blue-and-gold Lumberjacks colors, and the university’s mascot, Louie the Lumberjack. Overall, Northern Arizona University is a great option for students who value a strong sense of community and school pride.

   Learn more about Northern Arizona University

3. University of Arizona

   University of Arizona is a four-year, full-time, selective, higher transfer-in, higher education institution located in Tucson, AZ. It has an enrollment of 36,560 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 87.27%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $15,601.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

   The average SAT score was 1230.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 25.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

   Recent Graduate Salaries

   (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

   • Agricultural Business and Management. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,041
   • Animal Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,133
   • Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,456
   • Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,386
   • Natural Resources Conservation and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,423
   • Architecture. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $45,696
   • Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $46,673
   • City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,848
   • City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning. (Master’s Degree) – $46,869
   • Landscape Architecture. (Master’s Degree) – $50,439
   • Architecture and Related Services, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $38,289
   • Area Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
   • Area Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $29,685
   • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,925
   • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. (Doctoral Degree) – $58,673
   • Communication and Media Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,844
   • Journalism. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,594
   • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,170
   • Computer and Information Sciences, General. (Master’s Degree) – $75,518
   • Computer Science. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $79,199
   • Computer Software and Media Applications. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,446
   • Education, General. (Master’s Degree) – $40,821
   • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
   • Educational Administration and Supervision. (Doctoral Degree) – $80,152
   • Educational/Instructional Media Design. (Master’s Degree) – $46,087
   • Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,133
   • Special Education and Teaching. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,162
   • Special Education and Teaching. (Master’s Degree) – $47,494
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,815
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. (Master’s Degree) – $38,829
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,398
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Master’s Degree) – $39,585
   • Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. (Doctoral Degree) – $55,755
   • Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. (Doctoral Degree) – $52,107
   • Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,660
   • Biomedical/Medical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
   • Chemical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,218
   • Civil Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
   • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $72,699
   • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Master’s Degree) – $83,388
   • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,275
   • Mining and Mineral Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,035
   • Systems Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $68,047
   • Biological/Biosystems Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,005
   • Engineering-Related Fields. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $73,215
   • Engineering-Related Fields. (Master’s Degree) – $103,078
   • Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
   • Germanic Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,351
   • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,599
   • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. (Master’s Degree) – $31,839
   • Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,856
   • Law. (First Professional Degree) – $59,314
   • English Language and Literature, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,546
   • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,035
   • Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $36,848
   • Library Science and Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $35,701
   • Biology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,774
   • Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,236
   • Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,494
   • Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $31,719
   • Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,588
   • Biotechnology. (Master’s Degree) – $50,439
   • Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $21,964
   • Neurobiology and Neurosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $30,771
   • Mathematics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,432
   • Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,274
   • Nutrition Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,615
   • International/Global Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $27,126
   • Philosophy. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,187
   • Religion/Religious Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $25,194
   • Chemistry. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $40,647
   • Chemistry. (Doctoral Degree) – $84,653
   • Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $47,260
   • Physics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,791
   • Physics. (Master’s Degree) – $88,195
   • Physics. (Doctoral Degree) – $123,527
   • Materials Sciences. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $67,101
   • Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,273
   • Psychology, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,811
   • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Doctoral Degree) – $53,608
   • Homeland Security. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $34,704
   • Public Administration. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,272
   • Public Administration. (Master’s Degree) – $51,273
   • Anthropology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $29,033
   • Anthropology. (Doctoral Degree) – $60,094
   • Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $44,356
   • Economics. (Master’s Degree) – $33,993
   • Geography and Cartography. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,668
   • Geography and Cartography. (Master’s Degree) – $54,109
   • International Relations and National Security Studies. (Master’s Degree) – $47,260
   • Political Science and Government. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
   • Sociology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,993
   • Dance. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $18,315
   • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $23,411
   • Film/Video and Photographic Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,213
   • Fine and Studio Arts. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $22,892
   • Fine and Studio Arts. (Master’s Degree) – $21,508
   • Music. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $26,353
   • Music. (Master’s Degree) – $25,194
   • Music. (Doctoral Degree) – $31,305
   • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $24,863
   • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Master’s Degree) – $63,997
   • Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. (Doctoral Degree) – $71,575
   • Medicine. (First Professional Degree) – $58,540
   • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,162
   • Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. (Master’s Degree) – $39,214
   • Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. (First Professional Degree) – $117,473
   • Public Health. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $32,010
   • Public Health. (Master’s Degree) – $49,392
   • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $64,617
   • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Master’s Degree) – $74,953
   • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. (Doctoral Degree) – $103,746
   • Business/Commerce, General. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $33,281
   • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $46,177
   • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Master’s Degree) – $92,743
   • Accounting and Related Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,211
   • Accounting and Related Services. (Master’s Degree) – $58,165
   • Business/Managerial Economics. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,771
   • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $52,107
   • Finance and Financial Management Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $60,023
   • Human Resources Management and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $50,356
   • Management Information Systems and Services. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $63,501
   • Marketing. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $51,652
   • History. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $28,753
   • History. (Doctoral Degree) – $36,131

   University of Arizona School Spirit

   School spirit at the University of Arizona is very strong. The university’s sports teams, known as the Wildcats, have a large and passionate following among students, alumni, and fans. Arizona is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, one of the premier athletic conferences in the country, and their athletics programs are highly competitive. In addition to sports, the University of Arizona has many other traditions, including a strong focus on sustainability and the environment. The strong school spirit at the University of Arizona is one of the reasons it’s such a great school to attend.

   Learn more about University of Arizona

4. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott

   Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott is a four-year, full-time, selective, lower transfer-in, higher education institution located in Prescott, AZ. It has an enrollment of 3,015 undergraduate students. The admissions acceptance rate is 73.76%. The average annual cost of attendance after financial aid is $36,270.00. The school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 17 to 1.

   The average SAT score was 1240.0 for the incoming class of 2023. The median ACT score was 26.0 for the incoming class to 2023.

   Recent Graduate Salaries

   (Average salaries of students from select majors two years after graduation)

   • Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $65,080
   • Computer Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $62,012
   • Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $61,020
   • Mechanical Engineering. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $55,964
   • Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $35,416
   • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $41,937
   • International Relations and National Security Studies. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $36,134
   • Air Transportation. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $48,833
   • Air Transportation. (Master’s Degree) – $77,039
   • Business Administration, Management and Operations. (Bachelor’s Degree) – $59,314

   Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott School Spirit

   Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott has a strong school spirit and is known for its strong sense of community and camaraderie. The university boasts a vibrant campus life with numerous clubs and organizations for students to get involved in, and the athletics teams enjoy a strong following from the student body. Furthermore, the university is located in a beautiful natural setting that offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration, adding to the overall campus experience. Overall, students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott tend to be highly engaged and passionate about their school and its traditions.

   Learn more about Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott