2026 Best Value Education Schools in Arizona
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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%.
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%.
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%.
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.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
