10 Most Affordable Online Colleges in Arizona 2025

Going to college doesn't have to break the bank. Students in Arizona can find affordable online degrees through colleges and universities in their state.

Many students want to complete their higher education but are often too busy or don't have the finances to make it work. Luckily, there are many cheap online colleges available that offer flexible coursework and low tuition rates.

The least expensive online universities can still provide a high-quality education. Many of the best online colleges in Arizona can provide a valuable education at a low cost. Keep reading to discover the most affordable online colleges in Arizona.

List of the Cheapest & Most Affordable Online Colleges in Arizona

There are quite a few cheap colleges in Arizona many of which offer online programs. We've highlighted the ten most affordable online colleges in Arizona below.

1. Pathways College

Pathways College is a private online school headquartered in Phoenix, AZ. It offers associate and bachelor's degrees in business administration and liberal arts.

Tuition at Pathways College is only $206 per credit hour. While the university does not accept federal student aid, students can use private scholarships to help cover their costs.

2. Benedictine University at Mesa

A Bachelor of Science in nursing, as well as several master's degrees, are available online through Benedictine University at Mesa. The Catholic school is based in Mesa, AZ.

Tuition at the university is $415 per credit hour for the bachelor's degree and the rate varies from $670 to $800 for graduate degrees. Numerous scholarships and other types of financial aid are available to students.

3. Arizona Christian University

At Arizona Christian University, students can earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online. These are available in fields such as biblical studies, education, leadership, and psychology.

This private school is based in Glendale, AZ. It charges $450 per credit hour for undergraduate programs, accepts federal aid, and offers several scholarship programs to help students pay for their online degree programs.

4. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University offers several online bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as an online doctoral degree. NAU is a public research institution in Flagstaff, AZ.

The university offers online learning programs in areas of study like business, criminal justice, education, and public administration. Tuition for bachelor's degrees is $11,688 per year, or about $487 per credit hour, with no additional cost for out-of-state students.

5. Ottawa University Surprise

Bachelor's and master's degrees are available online at Ottawa University Surprise. Available fields of study include business administration, computer science, education, and healthcare management.

Ottawa University Surprise is a private Baptist school named for the town where it's located. Tuition is $499 per credit hour for bachelor's degrees, while tuition for master's degrees varies by program.

6. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a private based in Daytona Beach, FL, with an additional residential campus in Prescott, AZ. It offers associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees online through its Worldwide campus.

These degrees are available in majors like aeronautics, engineering, logistics, and project management. Tuition for associate and bachelor's degree programs is $503 per credit hour before financial aid is applied.

7. Prescott College

Students at Prescott College can earn online bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas of study like counseling, education, leadership, and psychology. The private Arizona college is a Christian school based in Prescott.

Tuition for undergraduate distance education programs is $512 per credit, while online master's and doctoral degrees vary by program. Financial aid is available to college students who file their FAFSA.

8. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona offers bachelor's master's and doctoral degrees online. Students can earn degrees in fields like criminal justice, humanities, information systems, and natural sciences.

The public university is located in Tucson, AZ. In-state and out-of-state tuition for online undergraduate students is $525 per credit hour.

9. Park University

Online associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees are available through Park University. The private institution is based in Parkville, MO, but has an additional campus in Gilbert, AZ.

Its online degrees cover subjects like business administration, education, information systems, and public administration. Undergraduate programs have a tuition rate of $575, while graduate programs have a standard tuition rate of $695.

10. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research institution in Tempe, AZ. It offers a huge selection of bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in areas of study including art, business, healthcare, and science.

Tuition for online undergraduate students is $580 per credit hour, regardless of the student's state of residence. ASU also has a partnership with Starbucks to offer free tuition to full-time employees.

Our Selection Criteria

Our methodology for choosing the online programs above was simple. We focused on:

Location: All schools listed are based in or have a campus in Arizona.
Accreditation: Every school above is regionally accredited, most by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Type: We only selected four-year public and non-profit schools.

Once we narrowed down this list, we selected the top 10 schools with the lowest tuition rates.

How Much Do Online Schools in Arizona Cost?

Tuition rates can vary significantly based on several factors. Of the most affordable online colleges listed above, rates range from $206 to $580 per credit hour.

However, your final cost will depend on several things, such as whether you study full-time or part-time and what financial aid you qualify for.

How Can I Make an Online Degree Affordable?

To make an online degree more affordable, consider attending a public university, which often offers lower in-state tuition rates. Apply for financial aid, including grants and scholarships, to reduce costs.

Explore credit transfer options if you have prior college credits, as this can shorten your program and save you money. Look for scholarships specifically for online students and compare tuition rates at different institutions.

Check if your employer offers tuition assistance and choose programs with flat-rate tuition if available.

Learn more below on how to make an online degree more affordable:

FAQs About the Cheapest Online Colleges in Arizona

Below, we've answered a few frequently asked questions about the cheapest online colleges in Arizona.

What Is the Cheapest Online Bachelor's Degree in Arizona?

The cheapest online university for a bachelor's degree in Arizona is Pathways College, which charges $206 per credit hour.

How Many Online Colleges Are There in Arizona?

Although there are about 35 four-year public and nonprofit institutions in Arizona, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), most offer programs exclusively in-person. Roughly a dozen offer online programs.

Arizona is also home to multiple for-profit institutions that offer online degrees as well.

Can I Get Free Online College in Arizona?

While online colleges in Arizona don't offer free tuition, there are ways to significantly reduce, or even completely cover your tuition costs. Most colleges accept federal financial aid and many offer financial aid programs of their own.

Are Affordable Online Degrees Accredited?

While not every affordable online degree is accredited, all the programs listed above come from schools with regional accreditation.

Explore Affordable Online Colleges

Find a degree that won't send you into debt by exploring the affordable online education options featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and affordability.