By BVS Staff
Welcome to our best value ranking of online colleges in Arizona.
In some ways, online learners in Arizona are the luckiest in the entire country. First of all, like many of the state's neighbors in the Southwest (including New Mexico and Nevada), Arizona is not exactly rife with options for college students. In total, Arizona claims fewer than 20 four-year institutions of higher learning. Plus, only a small fraction within that group – about 25% – have developed online programs. However, the few that have taken the plunge into virtual learning have not held back. In fact, the 3 "best values" listed below don't just crowd out the competition in Arizona. They're probably some of the best values in the entire country, too! Note that for rankings with 3 schools or fewer, we made the decision not to include individual scores due to a lack of data. However, the order of the ranking still stands as an indication of relative value.
Methodology
Click here to read all about our best value online schools ranking methodology, and check our our overall ranking of most affordable online colleges.
3. Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
Northern Arizona University is a superb choice for students who want a lot of choices. Why? Because with nearly 50 affordable online degrees in Arizona, NAU has something for just about everyone. Online degree options range from Business to Social Work to the Health Sciences. In particular, their healthcare programs include a variety of unique, career-focused options – like Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Surgical Technology – that can help aspiring professionals get a leg up in the industry. Oh, and there is no need to check to see which classes are available, because all of NAU's distance ed programs are offered 100% online!
In-State Undergrad Tuition: $10,358/yr
2. University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Distance learning programs are rarely distinguished by the diversity of their degree offerings. However, the state of Arizona seems to have turned that paradigm on its head. That's because, while Northern Arizona University already set the bar astonishingly high, the University of Arizona exceeds its record in double-digits. In fact, students at U of A can select from well over 60 affordable online college courses in Arizona spanning everything from Adult Gerontology to Systems Engineering. Coupled with a graduation rate above 60%, it's easy to see why so many people are eager to attend the university – both virtually and in person!
In-State Undergrad Tuition: $11,403/yr
1. Arizona State University-Tempe
Tempe, AZ
If this list is any indication, the state of Arizona offers stiff competition for any school looking to enter the online education arena. At the head of the pack is Arizona State University at Tempe, a top online school in Arizona that leads its competitors in every single metric. Of course, statistics can be misleading, and some important aspects of online learning are not easily quantifiable. That being said, ASU doesn't leave much open to interpretation. Staggeringly low tuition coupled with an impressive 66% graduation rate paint a pretty clear picture of the level of quality students can expect. What's more, ASU Tempe's online enrollment is constantly growing, and today distance learners represent over half of the undergraduate student body!
In-State Undergrad Tuition: $10,158/yr
What did you think of these top online degrees in Arizona?
See also: 9 Best Value Colleges and Universities in Arizona
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