Best Online Colleges in Arizona 2025

Online college programs are a great way for students to earn an education that fits their budgets and lifestyles. In fact, in Arizona, more than 52% of all college students were enrolled exclusively in online programs in 2023. Perhaps you're looking for online colleges in Arizona and you're wondering which schools provide the best academic programs for remote learners.

Keep reading as we look at some of the best online colleges available to students in Arizona. We'll also talk about the top online degrees each school offers and answer some questions you may have about pursuing higher education online.

Best Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona

Several top universities in Arizona provide online degree programs. Let's take an in-depth look at the best online schools in the state and what they have to offer.

1. Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a large public school in the Phoenix metro area. It enrolls more than 150,000 students, including many through the school's remote platform, ASU Online. Hundreds of degrees and certificates are available at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Areas of study include:

• art history
• biochemistry
• community health
• film and media studies
• geographic information science

About 68% of students attending this school online receive financial aid. Courses are taught in flexible sessions and provide in-depth education. Due to these factors and the wealth of programs available, ASU is considered a top online college in Arizona.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $11,308

Out-of-State: $13,512

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $10,170

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 64%

Retention Rate: 50%

Institution Type: Public university

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. University of Arizona

The University of Arizona is located in Tucson. It enrolls more than 50,000 students, many of whom study remotely through U of A Online and the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in many areas of study, including:

• applied computing
• business administration
• cybersecurity
• emergency medical services
• global media

Up to 98% of students attending the University of Arizona receive financial aid. The school provides top-notch academics and world-class faculty, and online students can take advantage of flexible scheduling and reduced tuition costs.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $13,626

Out-of-State: $41,095

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $12,718

Out-of-State: $32,290

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 86%

Retention Rate: 88%

Institution Type: Public university

Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

3. Northern Arizona University

Northern Arizona University is a public school located in Flagstaff. It offers various online and hybrid degrees at graduate and undergraduate levels. Options include:

• applied wildland fire science
• communication studies
• elementary education
• health sciences
• parks and recreation management

The school provides financial aid for 97% of students. Its commitment to quality and the availability of various unique areas of study make this one of the best online schools in the state.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $12,652

Out-of-State: $28,900

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: $11,674

Out-of-State: $21,204

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 91%

Retention Rate: 73%

Institution Type: Public university

Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Advancing Technology

The University of Advancing Technology is a private for-profit school located in Tempe. It provides tech-focused bachelor's and master's degrees, many of which are available online. Options include:

• business technology
• virtual reality
• human-computer interaction
• artificial intelligence
• game production and management

Students attending this school receive financial aid in 98% of cases. Due to the uniqueness of the available programs, flexible online coursework, and affordable tuition rates, this is one of the top schools for online learners in Arizona.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $19,430

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $15,915

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 95%

Retention Rate: 79%

Institution Type: Private for-profit university

Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Phoenix

The University of Phoenix is a private for-profit school headquartered in Phoenix. Students attending this school can pursue various online degrees at every program level. Some of the areas of study include:

• data science
• criminal justice
• finance and technology
• public administration
• social work

The school provides financial aid for 91% of students and features affordable tuition rates. Its online programs are highly flexible, making them ideal for students with busy schedules. For these reasons, the University of Phoenix is a top online school in Arizona.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $9,552

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State and Out-of-State: $16,215

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 41%

Institution Type: Private for-profit

Accreditation: HLC

6. Pima Community College

Pima Community College consists of five campuses in Pima County. The school offers many of its associate degree and certificate programs exclusively online. Areas of study include:

• cybersecurity
• early childhood studies
• health information technology
• logistics and supply chain management
• hospitality leadership

Tuition prices are some of the lowest in the state, and the school provides financial aid for 70% of students. Students can take advantage of support services like online tutoring to help them succeed in their remote classes.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $2,370

Out-of-State: $7,686

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: N/A

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 67%

Institution Type: Public community college

Accreditation: HLC

7. Mesa Community College

Mesa Community College is located in Mesa and is the largest campus in the Maricopa County Community College District with more than 15,000 students. It provides many online classes, certificates, and associate degrees, including:

• anthropology
• general business
• beauty and wellness
• counseling and applied psychological science
• administration of justice studies

About 69% of students receive financial aid at this school. Convenient courses are taught by expert, supportive faculty and are designed to transfer seamlessly to most four-year universities, making this one of the best online college in Arizona.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State: $2,358

Out-of-State: $8,958

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State: N/A

Out-of-State: N/A

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 65%

Institution Type: Public community college

Accreditation: HLC

8. Ottawa University Surprise

Even though Ottawa University is a private school headquartered in Ottawa, KS, one of its campuses is in Surprise, AZ. It offers various online degree programs, including:

• business economics
• human resources
• nursing
• counseling
• leadership

The school awards financial aid to 100% of students, helping them afford a quality private school education. Coursework is flexible and a wide variety of programs are available.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $35,300

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $11,682

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 40%

Retention Rate: 44%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit university

Accreditation: HLC

9. Arizona Christian University

Arizona Christian University is a private school located in Glendale. It offers a variety of associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees along with certificates and minors online. Some of the programs include:

• interdisciplinary studies
• secondary education
• Christian ministries
• biology
• general studies

As many as 98% of students at this school receive financial aid. The school provides flexible courses and four yearly start dates, ensuring their high-quality liberal arts education is within reach.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $34,697

Average Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $13,230

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 74%

Retention Rate: 55%

Institution Type: Private nonprofit university

Accreditation: HLC

10. Brookline College

Brookline College is a private school headquartered in Phoenix. The school provides healthcare degrees and diplomas at the associate, bachelor's, and master's levels. Online programs include:

• allied health
• healthcare administration
• health and wellness

About 87% of students receive financial aid. The flexible online programs give students an accessible way to continue their education and start, change, or advance rewarding careers in healthcare.

Tuition Costs

Average Undergrad and Graduate Tuition

In-State & Out-of-State: $37,807

College Stats

Acceptance Rate: 100%

Retention Rate: 50%

Institution Type: Private for-profit college

Accreditation: Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools

Other Featured Online Schools

Online programs enable students to complete their education from anywhere. Let's consider some top out-of-state online schools that provide top degree programs for students throughout the U.S., including in Arizona.

Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University is a private school with a primarily online student body of more than 135,000. Around 200 online programs are available at every program level, with areas of study including:

• community health education
• curriculum and instruction
• data analytics
• digital photography
• environmental science

The school is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. All online courses are available in eight-week sessions and are highly flexible. Tuition is affordable, and up to 90 transfer credits are accepted.

Colorado State University Global

Colorado State University Global is an online school affiliated with the Colorado State University System. Online bachelor's and master's degrees are available in areas such as:

• international business
• legal studies
• healthcare analytics
• organizational leadership
• human services

The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It provides a generous transfer policy, low tuition rates, and flexible eight-week course sessions to make school accessible.

Western Governors University

Western Governors University is a private, nonprofit online school based in Utah. Students can earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in areas like:

• user experience design
• educational leadership
• cybersecurity and information assurance
• health science
• nursing

The school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. It provides competency-based education, giving students the most flexible path to earning their degree on their own terms.

How We Rank Schools

We used data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard when choosing schools for this article. The selection criteria were as follows:

• Accreditation: Each school is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting body. In Arizona, most schools are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
• Reputation: All of the schools are known for providing high-quality academic programs both online and in-person.
• Accessibility: Each school features options like flexible study schedules, low tuition rates, or generous transfer credit policies to make learning accessible for students.

Pros and Cons of Online Degrees in Arizona

There are many benefits of online college programs, but there are a few drawbacks as well. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of online education.

Pros of earning an online degree:

• Flexible coursework: Students often have the option of setting their own schedules when studying online. Most online courses don't have set class times.
• Study from anywhere: Since students don't have to attend campus to take online courses, they can study from wherever they have an internet connection.
• Affordability: Online degrees are typically more affordable than on-campus programs thanks to lower tuition rates and/or fewer fees and added expenses.

Cons of earning an online degree:

• Lack of structure: Thanks to the flexibility of online degree programs, they lack the structure and routine of in-person programs. Some students may struggle in this more flexible environment.
• Isolation_: Online students sometimes feel isolated from their professors and classmates, which can lead to feeling unsupported in their academic journeys.
• Employer skepticism: Some employers are skeptical of online degrees, still preferring to hire those who earned their degrees on-campus.

How To Choose the Right Arizona Online College

The most important thing when exploring online colleges in Arizona is to make sure they are accredited and reputable. This will give employers more confidence that your degree is legitimate. If you have transfer credits, you'll also want to find a school that will accept them and apply them toward your degree.

When choosing a school, think about what's most important to you: tuition rates, financial aid, student resources, specific majors, and admission requirements. You can make a list of your priorities and use it to compare prospective schools against each other. Choose the school that best aligns with what's important to you.

How Much Does an Online Degree in Arizona Cost?

Tuition costs vary widely. Among the schools discussed above, average costs range from around $2,400 to over $41,000.

These numbers only account for tuition. Additional expenses, like book costs and technology fees, may raise your prices even more.

Tips on How To Make Online College in Arizona More Affordable

Even affordable online degrees in Arizona can be expensive, but there are ways to lower your degree costs. Financial aid from the FAFSA and private scholarships are some of the most common ways to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Additionally, you can save money by using transfer credits from previous college or life experiences and applying to schools with no application fee. Your school may also offer payment plans so you can pay your college expenses in smaller, more manageable increments. Find out more about all of these options below:

• online colleges that accept FAFSA
• online colleges with payment plans
• online colleges that accept the Pell Grant
• online colleges that accept transfer credits
• online colleges with scholarships
• online colleges with no application fee

Arizona Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships and grants are a great way for students to save money on their college experiences. Some scholarships specifically available for Arizona students include:

Arizona Promise Scholarship Program

This state-funded scholarship is available to all students attending a public university in Arizona who complete the FAFSA, qualify for the Pell Grant, and have a GPA of at least 2.5. As a last-dollar scholarship, it covers all remaining tuition and fees after other forms of financial aid have been applied.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: April 1, 2025

Arizona Community Foundation Scholarships

The Arizona Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that provides a wide range of scholarship opportunities. Students can complete a general application that will automatically match them with any scholarship they may qualify for.

Award Amount: Varies

Deadline: Varies

GK Legacy Foundation Keep Your Chin Up Scholarship

This scholarship is specifically designed for Arizona residents aged 25 and older. To qualify, students must have a high school diploma or GED and be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree or vocational certificate.

Award Amount: $500 to $5,000

Deadline: February 28, 2025

Top Majors for Arizona Graduates

Arizona students can pursue a wide variety of majors when studying online. Some of the most popular areas of study include:

• Human services: Human services degrees can lead to an array of professional opportunities, from social work to education to counseling to hospitality. Most students can pursue their chosen career path with a bachelor's degree.
• Accounting: A degree in accounting teaches skills relative to taxation, auditing, and financial management. Students typically earn a bachelor's or master's degree in the field.
• Criminal justice: This degree is ideal for students pursuing legal or law enforcement careers. Students typically only need a bachelor's degree to get started in their career path, but master's degrees can lead to advanced or management careers.
• Business administration: Business administration degrees teach many skills relative to business ownership and operation. Bachelor's and master's degrees are both common, though associate and doctoral degrees may also be available.
• Interdisciplinary studies: This customizable degree permits students to choose courses from at least two disciplines to design their own program of study. It is often available as an associate or bachelor's degree and can lead to a variety of professional opportunities.

FAQs About Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona

If you still have questions about online college programs, keep reading. Below, we'll answer some common questions you may be curious about.

How Quickly Can I Earn My Degree Online in Arizona?

Typically, students finish a bachelor's degree in four years and a master's degree in about two years. Accelerated online degrees in Arizona can speed up the process, enabling students to earn a bachelor's degree in three years or less and a master's degree in one year or less.

Is ASU Online 100% Online?

Yes, ASU Online courses are all available entirely online. Students enrolled in traditional, in-person degree programs cannot take ASU online classes, which are available exclusively for fully remote learners.

Is Online College in Arizona Worth It?

For many students, online college makes it possible to finish a degree and pursue career change or advancement. For these students, getting an online degree is well worth the time and money they invest in it.

What Is the Fastest and Easiest Online Degree To Get in Arizona?

Most students consider associate degrees to be the easiest type of degree you can get. These degree programs typically last for two years. Some are designed to transfer to bachelor's degree programs, while others lead directly to specific careers. Either way, the introductory coursework required for these programs is generally thought to be less challenging than the advanced coursework necessary for higher degree levels.

Which Online Colleges in Arizona Have the Highest Graduation Rates?

A school's graduation rate can indicate the quality of its academics and the student support services it offers. The online colleges in Arizona with the best graduation rates are the University of Arizona (66%), Brookline College (50%), and Arizona State University (44%).

Discover Online Degrees in Arizona

If you're ready to start your educational journey, consider the schools featured on Learn.org. Reach out to any of the schools today to learn more about their academic programs and to choose the right one for you.