Best Community Colleges in Arizona of 2023

Offering a number of associate degree and certificate tracks, as well as an online bachelor of applied science, the opportunity to live on campus, and a vibrant student life, Eastern Arizona College is the Intelligent Pick. Students can graduate in two years ready to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year college for a bachelor’s degree. Associate programs include physics, theater arts, sociology, music, math, and geology. Some of the occupational certificates offered are in welding, paramedicine, nursing, HVAC-R, CDL, and cosmetology. There are active student organizations and athletic teams for volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, golf, and cheer. EAC provides great options.

The cybersecurity program at Cochise College recently achieved validation by the National Security Administration. This NSA designation means that graduates will be in high demand across the workforce. The program offers start dates in both the fall and spring semesters. The degree is a four-semester program, and there is a two-semester certificate option as well. The entire CIS department at Cochise is robust, with options for Amazon Web Services Cloud Architecting and Foundations, Google IT Professional, Linux System Administrator, and an associate of applied science degree in Network Technology. If you’re looking for something beyond CIS, Cochise offers programs for first responders, health sciences, aviation, business, and human services.

Paradise Valley Community College has a competitive gaming team. Beyond the competitive league, there’s also a more casual eSports club focused on camaraderie and skill building. To complement their eSports team, PVCC offers an associate’s degree in video game production with specializations in coding and scripting, game writing, game art, and audio and sound design. Many graduates of the game design program go immediately to work in the industry while expanding their skills and knowledge at a university. The program takes two years and requires 62-79 credit hours, depending on specialization. Maricopa County residents pay $85 per credit hour, so degrees are affordable at PVCC.

Tohono O’odham Community College primarily serves residents of the Tohono O’odham Nation, but it is open to all who wish to pursue higher education. With four campus locations, and a number of transfer, degree, and certificate programs, TOCC has versatile options for every learner. A.A. degrees are available in education, social work, liberal arts, science and health, CIS, business, and Tohono O’odham studies. Certificate programs include digital media, casino gaming, social services, substance abuse, and addiction studies, culinary arts, and early childhood education. TOCC is one of 37 tribal colleges. Because tribal elders crafted its mission and vision, it can uniquely serve the Tohono O’odham Nation while providing a rich resource for the greater region. There is a vaccine requirement for anyone coming onto the campus, so students can feel safe building a community.

The geology department at South Mountain Community College is vibrant and offers an associate’s degree in science with an emphasis in geology. Courses are offered in-person, online, and hybrid, though there are lab requirements for some. A geoscience degree prepares you to transfer to a four-year college or graduate directly into the workforce. SMCC’s A.A. degrees typically take two years, and there are flexible options for part-time students. In-state residents pay $85 per credit hour, and most A.A. degrees cost around $5,000. If academic studies aren’t what you’re looking for, SMCC has a trades institute focused on construction, including electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.

With four locations, Chandler-Gilbert Community College provides easy access to students in the southeast suburbs of Phoenix. Applied technology programs are focused on aviation (aircraft maintenance and airway technology) and unmanned aircraft systems. Drone technologies are one of the fastest growing fields, and CGCC’s two-year program prepares students for the FAA Part 107 Certification. They offer certificates in many aviation programs as well. Beyond its applied technology department, CGCC has visual and performing arts, STEM, education, culture and society, CIS, health sciences, behavioral science, and business programs.

The degree and certificate offerings at Yavapai College are varied. There seems to be something for everyone here: gunsmithing, equine care and management, video game development, viticulture, and fire science. However, it’s the health sciences offerings that really shine. With options from athletic coaching to EMT to phlebotomy to caregiver certificates, YC is educating the next generation of healthcare workers in Arizona. Currently, they have an associate of applied science in nursing that takes four semesters and costs $160 per credit hour. YC is launching its bachelor of science in nursing program and will welcome the inaugural cohort in the fall of 2024.

Visual and performing arts is a robust department at Scottsdale Community College. Besides A.A. degrees in the fine arts with a possible emphasis in art, dance, music, musical theater, and theater, they have degree programs for dance performance and technology, interior design, motion picture, television, new media production, and visual communication. SCC is able to offer guaranteed acceptance to one of their 40 partner universities, so any students completing their degree can be assured of the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree. Certificate programs in the arts include editing, interior design, motion picture production, interior merchandising and home staging, creative branding, and design. These programs are an efficient way to study the arts and move quickly into the workforce with the skills required to thrive. Students can earn most certificates in two to three semesters.

Estrella Mountain Community College offers a full suite of learning options to suit every student’s preference and schedule. With classes offered in-person, hybrid, live online, and asynchronous online, most students can tailor their schedules to suit their needs. Classes with labs or hands-on learning modules require in-person or hybrid models, but others are available online. EMCC offers associate degrees, certificate programs, and university transfer options. Their health sciences tracks include exercise science, nutrition, nursing, and community health. Most degree programs require a two-year commitment. The STEM and CIS departments at EMCC are also well-regarded.

Glendale Community College is committed to helping students join the workforce, and the fast-track certificate program can make that happen. While some degree and certificate programs can take up to two years, the fast-track programs require no more than fifteen credits, so most take six months, and some take only a few weeks. Eligible programs fall under health sciences, computer and information technology, applied technology, behavior science and human services, business, and performing arts. With GCC’s fast track, students can earn certificates in real estate pre-license, homeland security, legal studies, EMT, nurse assisting, and iOS app development, to name a few. The fast-track programs are efficient and affordable, helping students transition to the workforce on their own timelines.