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Best Community Colleges in Tucson: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026

GradeToGrad Editorial Team

February 26, 2026

Compare Tucson community colleges with real tuition, earnings, and program data.

Why Community College in Tucson?

Tucson's community colleges offer an affordable launchpad for higher education and career training. With tuition well below four-year university rates and transfer agreements with state universities, the 2+2 path (2 years at CC, 2 at university) can save thousands while putting you on the same career trajectory.

Community Colleges in Tucson

Pima Community College (Tucson)

Tuition: $2,370/year | Enrollment: 13,869 | 6-year earnings: $34,622

Nursing ADN graduates earn $63,790/year.

Cochise County Community College District (Sierra Vista)

Tuition: $2,232/year | Enrollment: 3,007 | 6-year earnings: $33,836

Nursing ADN graduates earn $60,454/year.

Carrington College-Tucson (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 437 | 6-year earnings: $34,062

Nursing ADN graduates earn $69,437/year.

HDS Truck Driving Institute (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 342 | 6-year earnings: $44,593

Aveda Institute-Tucson (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 264 | 6-year earnings: $27,978

Empire Beauty School-Tucson (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 213 | 6-year earnings: $19,285

Brookline College-Tucson (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 211 | 6-year earnings: $32,705

Tucson College of Beauty (Tucson)

Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 134 | 6-year earnings: $21,104

How to Choose

Priority	Best Fit
Lowest tuition	Cochise County Community College District ($2,232/yr)
Best earnings outcome	HDS Truck Driving Institute ($44,593 at 6yrs)
Nursing	Check which schools offer ADN programs with clinical rotations
Transfer	Look for schools with articulation agreements to your target university

Transfer Pathways

Check with your target university for specific transfer agreements. Most Arizona public universities accept credits from in-state community colleges through statewide articulation agreements. Complete your general education core at a CC and transfer as a junior to save significantly on your bachelor's degree.

Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grant — up to $7,395/year, often exceeds full CC tuition
Arizona state grants — check your state's financial aid office for resident programs
Institutional scholarships — many CCs offer merit and need-based scholarships
Workforce development grants — available for high-demand programs like nursing and skilled trades

Next Steps

Compare Tucson community colleges on GradeToGrad — see tuition, programs, and transfer rates.