The Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona That Actually Graduate Their Students
Arizona State University Campus Immersion offers the strongest combination of affordability and graduation rate among public colleges in Arizona, graduating 68% of students within six years at $12,914 in-state tuition. This ranking covers Arizona’s public four-year colleges, ranked by six-year graduation rate per thousand dollars of in-state tuition, using federal IPEDS data.
| Rank | College | City | 6-Year Grad Rate | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Median ACT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion | Tempe | 68% | $12,914 | $25,398 | N/A |
| 2 | Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | 57% | $11,946 | $21,690 | N/A |
| 3 | University of Arizona | Tucson | 66% | $14,015 | $33,957 | 25 |
1. Arizona State University Campus Immersion
Tempe, Arizona
Arizona State University Campus Immersion graduates 68% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $12,914 per year. Out-of-state students pay $25,398.
2. Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, Arizona
Northern Arizona University graduates 57% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $11,946 per year. Out-of-state students pay $21,690.
3. University of Arizona
Tucson, Arizona
University of Arizona graduates 66% of its students within six years at an in-state tuition of $14,015 per year. Out-of-state students pay $33,957. Median ACT: 25.
How were these colleges ranked?
These rankings score each public four-year college in Arizona by dividing its six-year graduation rate by its in-state tuition per thousand dollars. A school graduating 60% of students at $10,000 in-state tuition scores 6.0; one graduating 60% at $20,000 scores 3.0. Higher score means more degree completions per dollar spent.
Data comes from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the federal government’s official higher education database. Graduation rates reflect the most recent six-year cohort. Only public four-year bachelor’s-granting institutions with at least 100 students in the graduation cohort are included. The ranking covers 5 qualifying public institutions in Arizona.
Source: IPEDS — National Center for Education Statistics
Data from IPEDS 2022 reporting year. Published September 2026.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. Information and conditions are subject to change. Verify current details directly with the relevant source before making any decisions.
