Roaming the World Wide Web for affordable online colleges in Arizona? Well, the AS Staff is here to help. Our site has researched cheap Arizona online schools that make flexible, high-quality postsecondary courses only a click away.
Admitted to the Union in 1918, Arizona is the 48th state with 14th biggest population of 7.17 million people. These “Grand Canyon State” residents are served by 220 school districts as well as 24 public and 23 private colleges. One of which, Arizona State University, has the nation’s eighth-largest campus enrollment of 51,585 in Tempe. The oldest, the University of Arizona, has 135 years of experience delivering 275+ degrees in 19 Pac-12 schools. The cheapest, the Maricopa County Community College District, enrolls about 220,000 Arizonans at 10 campuses for $86 per credit. From Flagstaff to Phoenix, Arizona covers its arid Southwest desert landscape with learning opportunities. Perhaps that’s why college diploma attainment hit a record-high 31.9 percent in 2017. However, The Arizona Republic warns that the state still ranks 40th for the percentage of adults age 25-34 with a bachelor’s degree or better.
The U.S. News & World Report declared Arizona the 24th best state for higher education beyond high school. Lack of affordability prevents many Arizonans from pursuing collegiate goals though. After all, Arizona’s poverty rate of 14.9 percent is nearly two points higher than the average. Arizona colleges currently charge mean in-state tuition of $9,337 and out-of-state tuition of $16,146. University graduates are left saddled with a median loan debt of $23,967 each. Financial obstacles can be even taller at some private institutions. For example, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott has direct 2020-21 costs of $50,038. Wilkes University at Mesa bills an attendance price of $52,865 per year. Paying an arm and a leg isn’t required to fill your brain with knowledge though. Affordable Arizona online colleges are available to stay on budget and access classes on your schedule 24/7.
Methodology
Affordable Schools searched for cheap Arizona online colleges using the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator tool. We checked the boxes to locate senior four-year AZ institutions with distance education programs available. Our results turned up 29 universities with one or more bachelor’s and advanced degrees online. Then, we looked for regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission. We found only nine Arizona online colleges were regionally accredited according to the Council on Higher Education Accreditation database. Next, we evaluated these nine online Arizona schools by average price. We recorded the full-time tuition and fees for in-state undergrad students taking 15+ semester credits. Our team placed the colleges in descending order and researched their virtual learning. Below you’ll find the nine most affordable online Arizona colleges for degree completion.
Ranking Low-Cost Online Arizona Colleges
9. Prescott College
Prescott, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $31,485
Given the Arizona Association for Environmental Education’s 2019 Outstanding School Award, Prescott College is a small private, nonprofit CIEL member led by President John Flicker that’s endowed for $1.52 million to educate 350 undergrads and 388 post-grads for 72 percent retention. Prescott College maintains a low 8:1 student-faculty ratio across four “Military Friendly” divisions available online, on its 13-acre Yavapai County campus, and at eight extensions like Kino Bay Center. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Prescott among the top 113 West schools with the 69th best social mobility. College Factual placed Prescott 192nd for location diversity and 155th for interdisciplinary studies. Washington Monthly crowned Prescott the 88th best master’s institution. Prescott College starts our website’s nine best affordable Arizona online colleges with $31,485 average annual pricing. On Moodle, Prescott Online students must take an interactive two-hour orientation before entering 225+ HLC-accredited Web courses. Online learners can select from 14 bachelor’s, 12 graduate, and 11 certificate options, such as the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Arts and Letters
- Bachelor of Arts in Human Development and Psychology
- Master of Arts in Adventure Education
- Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems
- Master of Arts in Social Justice and Community Organizing
- Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability Education
- Equine-Assisted Mental Health Certificate
- Expressive Arts Therapy Certificate
8. Arizona Christian University
Glendale, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $26,796
Chosen for a 2019 GSAC Cliff Hamlow Champion of Character Award, Arizona Christian University is a private, nonprofit Baptist CCCU member that’s endowed for $1.1 million under President Len Munsil to employ 24 full-time and 72 part-time faculty teaching 776 Firestorm with a 14:1 ratio. Four HLC-accredited, Bible-based schools build atop the CORE curriculum online or on its 68-acre Glendale campus northwest of Phoenix for 55 percent freshman retention. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Arizona Christian the 22nd top Western school and 21st best social mobility performer. On Niche, ACU boasts America’s 397th safest learning environment and 443rd best business degrees. College Factual named ACU 353rd for ethnic diversity and 31st for pastoral ministries. Arizona Christian University is our eighth best affordable Arizona online college with mean annual tuition of $26,796. Six times yearly, ACU Online conveniently starts 50+ accelerated, eight-week Canvas courses with 24/7 Academic Center access. Students strive to “Transform Culture With Truth” in these six 100 percent online bachelor’s programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Behavioral Health
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (Grades K-8)
- Bachelor of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts in Family Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (Grades 6-12)
7. Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $17,050
Conferred a 2018 CODiE Best Higher Education Learning Content Solution Award, Grand Canyon University is a private, for-profit nondenominational CCCU member worth $875 million that’s headed by President Brian Mueller to instruct 90,253 Lopes with a 20:1 student-faculty ratio. Grand Canyon has selective 67 percent acceptance into eight HLC-accredited colleges available online, on its 100-acre Valley of the Sun campus, and at the Tucson Extension. The U.S. News & World Report ranked GCU in the top 381 universities with the 42nd best social mobility. On Niche, GCU claims America’s 33rd best online education, 66th best religious studies, and 99th top teaching degrees. Washington Monthly declared Grand Canyon the 166th best regional value. Grand Canyon University stands seventh among the AS Staff’s cheap Arizona online colleges with a $17,050 annual cost. Since 2004, the oldest Christian for-profit has logged into the GCU Portal to deliver over 1,000 online LoudCloud courses in accelerated five- and eight-week formats. Online Lopes can quickly finish 77 bachelor’s, 93 master’s, and 20 doctoral degrees, including the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design
- Bachelor of Science in Sports Management
- Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Master of Arts in Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Master of Science in Forensic Psychology
- Master of Arts in Youth and Family Ministry
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership
- Doctor of Business Administration in Marketing
6. University of Advancing Technology
Tempe, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $16,598
Designated a 2019 NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, the University of Advancing Technology is a private, for-profit polytechnic school overseen by President Jason Pistillo that budgets $25 million to employ 64 faculty teaching 758 students with a median 3.07 GPA. Eighteen HLC-accredited departments have an average class size of 15 online and on its two-acre East Valley campus in Tempe for 65 percent retention. Niche applauded UAT for America’s 286th best location and 433rd safest learning environment. College Factual ranked UAT 222nd for location diversity and 126th for computer sciences. Washington Monthly placed UAT 271st overall among baccalaureate institutions. The University of Advancing Technology is the AS Staff’s sixth best affordable online Arizona school with a $16,598 in-state attendance rate. On Moodle, UAT Online utilizes the “Synchronic Learning” pedagogy to deliver five-week, tech-oriented modules each 15-week semester. Online pupils benefit from a locked-in tuition guarantee when pursuing 15 bachelor’s and five master’s degrees, such as the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Game Art and Animation
- Bachelor of Science in Robotics and Embedded Systems
- Bachelor of Science in Human Computer Interaction
- Bachelor of Science in Digital Maker and Fabrication
- Bachelor of Science in Network Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Technology Forensics
- Bachelor of Science in Business Technology
- Master of Science in Software Engineering
- Master of Science in Cyber Security
- Master of Science in Technology Leadership
5. University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $12,467
Granted a 2018 Online Learning Consortium Effective Practice Award, the University of Arizona is a selective public, research-based AAU member managed by President Robert C. Robbins that’s endowed for $959.6 million to enroll 35,801 undergrad and 10,117 post-grad Wildcats with 78.6 percent acceptance. Eighteen UA colleges have an average 15:1 student-faculty ratio online, on its 179-building Tucson campus, and at eight satellites to retain three-fourths of freshmen. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Arizona 10th for online MBA, 11th for online bachelor’s, and 31st for online nursing degrees. The Center for World University Rankings placed UA 52nd globally. Sierra magazine deemed UA the 35th coolest school for sustainability. The University of Arizona made our top five affordable online schools by charging $12,467 in-state tuition. On Desire2Learn, UA Online has developed 550+ HLC-accredited, 7.5-week distance education courses since Fall 2015 with free Academic Skills Center tutoring. Online students from 50 states can fully complete 33 bachelor’s, 31 master’s, and eight doctoral degrees like the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Meteorology
- Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Built Environments
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Cyber Operations
- Master of Science in Agricultural Education
- Master of Business Administration in Finance
- Master of Science in Optical Sciences
- Master of Arts in Human Rights Practice
- Master of Science in Photonic Communications Engineering
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Informatics
4. Ottawa University
Phoenix, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $11,976
Home to a 2019 NISOD Excellence in Teaching & Leadership Award recipient, Ottawa University is a private, nonprofit Baptist “College of Distinction” that’s endowed for $16.2 million under President Reggies Wenyika to serve 1,398 undergrad and 1,919 post-grad Braves with a 12:1 student-faculty ratio. Three HLC-accredited Ottawa colleges teach online, at its 64-acre Kansas headquarters, and on six campuses from Phoenix to Queen Creek for 63 percent retention. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Ottawa the Midwest’s 43rd best school with the 49th top social mobility performance. The Economist noticed Ottawa University for the 181st most value-added education. Washington Monthly crowned Ottawa the 76th best bachelor’s institution and 306th top Midwest investment. Ottawa University finished fourth among our list’s affordable Arizona colleges online with $11,976 annual expenses. On Blackboard, the Adult, Professional & Graduate Studies Division gives 24/7 access to FlexTerm online courses with four-, eight-, or 16-week formats. Online learners declare 19 bachelor’s and eight master’s majors, including the:
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration
- Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Services
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
- Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education
- Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
- Master of Business Administration in Accounting
- Master of Arts in Learning Technologies
- Master of Science in Addiction Counseling
- Master of Arts in Human Resources Management
3. American InterContinental University
Chandler, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $11,937
Presented the 2016 IMS Global Learning Impact Gold Medal Award, American InterContinental University is a large private, for-profit system that’s owned by Career Education Corporation and led by Chancellor George P. Miller with $13.5 million revenue from teaching 15,500 at a 38:1 student-faculty ratio. American InterContinental has rolling admission with 100 percent acceptance into six HLC-accredited departments available online, on its Maricopa County campus in Chandler, and at satellites from Houston to Atlanta. The U.S. News & World Report included AIU among the top 195 online bachelor’s programs. College Factual placed AIU 35th for homeland security, 75th for information systems, and 66th for business degrees. Military Times selected AIU as the 20th best for vets college. American InterContinental University is Affordable Schools’ third best low-cost Arizona online college with an average $11,937 cost. On the AIU Mobile App, the Virtual Campus offers five- and 10-week sessions for 250+ flexible courses with 15 scholarship opportunities. Online pupils pick from two associate, 25 bachelor’s, and 18 master’s offerings like the:
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts in Business Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement
- Master of Education in Adult Education and Training
- Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security
- Master of Business Administration in Project Management
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
2. Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $11,564
Conferred the 2016 University Business Models of Excellence Award, Northern Arizona University is a public, four-year coed AASCU member administered by President Rita Hartung Cheng that’s endowed for $186.2 million to instruct 26,513 undergrad and 4,223 post-grad Lumberjacks from 80+ countries. Eight elite NAU colleges teach online, on its 683-acre Flagstaff campus, or at 22 extensions from Pima to Scottdale with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio for 75 percent retention. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Northern Arizona 77th for online nursing, 80th for online bachelor’s, and 87th for online business programs. On Niche, NAU boasts America’s 202nd top public education and 238th most diversity. Washington Monthly placed NAU 196th for social mobility performance. Northern Arizona University is second among the AS Staff’s affordable colleges online in Arizona with an $11,564 in-state tuition bill. Celebrating its 20th year, NAU Online logs into Blackboard Learn for eight- or 16-week internet courses with Academic Peer Mentors. Online students can complete 52 bachelor’s and 34 graduate degrees, such as the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood
- Bachelor of Science in Small Business Administration
- Bachelor of Applied Science in Technology Management
- Master of Science in Parks and Recreation
- Master of Arts in Rhetoric Writing and Digital Media
- Master of Science in Applied Geospatial Sciences
- Master of Education in ESL and Bilingual Education
- Master of Science in Computer Information Technology
- Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Leadership
1. Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ
Average In-State Tuition: $10,317
Honored with a 2018 OLC Digital Learning Innovation Award of Excellence, Arizona State University is a metropolitan public, coed PLuS Alliance member headed by President Michael M. Crow that’s endowed for $554.8 million to employ 2,222 full-time and 653 part-time faculty teaching 51,585 Sun Devils. Seventeen ASU colleges report average retention of 87 percent online, on its 631-acre Tempe campus near Papago Park, and at four Phoenix Metro extensions. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Arizona State sixth for business, sixth for criminal justice, sixth for bachelor’s, and 13th for engineering degrees online. The Wall Street Journal crowned ASU the 155th top global institution. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance named ASU the 110th best public value. Arizona State University is our #1 most affordable online Arizona college with a $10,317 in-state annual price. Certified by Quality Matters in 2012, ASU Online starts thousands of accelerated, 7.5-week courses six times yearly with Online Success Center services. Online students achieve 87 percent job placement after 89 undergrad and 81 post-grad degrees, including the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Corporate Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Forensic Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Sustainability
- Master of Arts in World War II Studies
- Master of Science in Medical Nutrition
- Master of Arts in Indigenous Education
- Master of Science in Digital Audience Strategy
- Executive Master of Arts in Fire Administration
Getting more “Valentine State” residents through college is an important initiative. Inside Higher Ed reports that the average college investment return is 14 percent. Bachelor’s grads receive a mean annual wage of nearly $80,000. In contrast, high school grads have median yearly earnings below $50,000. Advancing your education can make your salary potential jump 30 percent or more. Affording the upfront costs doesn’t even have to be difficult thanks to financial aid programs. For example, the Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP) Grant provides up to $2,500 per year to low-income, in-state citizens. The Arizona Teacher Student Loan Program forgives $7,000 of student debt annually for upperclassmen with 55+ credits in K-12 education degrees. The $10,000 Horatio Alger Arizona Scholarship has an October 25th deadline for in-state freshmen entering accredited, nonprofit universities with GPAs above 2.0. Since 1977, the Arizona Community Foundation has raised $961 million for 100+ annual funds like the Walt Vikram Troester Memorial Scholarship and Diane Wasson University Women Scholarship. Other offerings include the PMI Phoenix Chapter Scholarship, Tesoro Youth Leadership Award, and FBLA Arizona Scholarship. Select a cheap Arizona online school and apply for financial aid to fund your career dreams.
AS Staff
January 2020
This concludes our list of the 9 most affordable online colleges in Arizona for 2020.
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