Best Community Colleges in Phoenix: Maricopa District, Transfer & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
March 20, 2026
All 10 Maricopa Community Colleges charge just $2,358/year. MyPath2ASU guarantees seamless transfer to Arizona State University.
Why Community College in Phoenix?
Phoenix's community college story is the Maricopa Community College District — 10 campuses, 100,000+ students, all at $2,358/year ($97/credit hour). It's one of the largest and most affordable community college districts in the nation, and the transfer pipeline to Arizona State University is exceptionally well-built.
Maricopa Community Colleges
All 10 Maricopa colleges share the same $2,358/year tuition. The difference is location, campus culture, and specialty programs.
Mesa Community College — 12,049 students
The largest Maricopa campus. Strong STEM, business, and nursing programs. East Valley location near ASU Polytechnic campus. 6-year earnings: $38,702.
Glendale Community College — 10,180 students
West Valley's largest CC. Strong nursing ($65,903 ADN earnings), aviation, and automotive programs. 6-year earnings: $37,269.
Chandler-Gilbert Community College — 7,626 students
Southeast Valley campus with the highest nursing ADN earnings in the district ($68,231). Strong IT and engineering transfer programs. 6-year earnings: $42,763 — highest in the district.
Phoenix College — 6,952 students
The oldest Maricopa campus (founded 1920), centrally located. 98% NCLEX nursing pass rate. Strong fire science and paralegal programs. 6-year earnings: $36,674.
Estrella Mountain Community College — 6,424 students
West Valley campus serving Avondale, Goodyear, and Buckeye. Growing fast with the West Valley's population boom. 6-year earnings: $39,357.
Scottsdale Community College — 4,274 students
Known for culinary arts, hospitality, and American Indian studies. Nursing graduates earn $67,593. 6-year earnings: $39,059.
Paradise Valley Community College — 4,076 students
North Phoenix location with strong transfer rates. 6-year earnings: $41,597 — second highest in the district.
GateWay Community College — 3,473 students
Phoenix's healthcare-focused CC. 98% nursing NCLEX pass rate, strong allied health programs (radiology, respiratory therapy). 6-year earnings: $42,262 — tied for highest.
South Mountain Community College — 2,612 students
Serves South Phoenix with strong community focus. 6-year earnings: $35,633.
Rio Salado College (Online) — large online enrollment
Primarily online, offering flexible scheduling for working students. Partners with all other Maricopa campuses.
Transfer to ASU
MyPath2ASU
The flagship transfer tool: Maricopa students plan prescribed coursework that transfers directly to ASU. Features include:
- Course-by-course equivalency maps
- Guaranteed admission pathways for specific majors
- Concurrent enrollment option (take Maricopa + ASU classes simultaneously)
Maricopa-ASU Concurrent Enrollment (CEP)
A unique program where students are enrolled at both institutions simultaneously. For nursing, this means you can graduate with your AAS (from Maricopa) and BSN (from ASU) in the same semester.
AZTransfer
Arizona's statewide system guarantees course transfer between all public institutions. The Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) completes your general education at a CC, and it transfers as a block to ASU, UA, or NAU.
Cost Comparison
| Path | 4-Year Total | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| 4 years at ASU | $48,204 | $12,051/yr |
| 2yr Maricopa + 2yr ASU | $28,818 | $2,358 then $12,051 |
| Savings | $19,386 |
Best Programs by Earnings
| School | 6-Year Earnings | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Chandler-Gilbert CC | $42,763 | IT, engineering transfer |
| GateWay CC | $42,262 | Healthcare, allied health |
| Paradise Valley CC | $41,597 | Transfer programs |
| Estrella Mountain CC | $39,357 | Growing West Valley |
| Mesa CC | $38,702 | Largest, most programs |
Financial Aid
- Arizona Promise Program — covers tuition for qualifying first-time students
- Maricopa Foundation Scholarships — hundreds available across the district
- Federal Pell Grant — $7,395 max vs. $2,358 tuition = money left for books and living
- President's Scholarship — merit-based at individual campuses
At $2,358/year, most students with any financial aid attend for free.
Next Steps
Compare Phoenix community colleges on GradeToGrad.
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