Best Colleges in Arizona – 2024

Academic Highlights: UArizona undergrads can choose from over 150 majors. A 19:1 student-to-faculty ratio leads to a mix of smaller and larger course sections with 32% of classes having an enrollment of under 20 and 16% possessing 50 or more students. Through the Undergraduate Research & Inquiry Collaborative, students can access dozens of research-related resources and opportunities. Over ninety opportunities to study abroad during the year or in the summer are available, including 14 Arizona Abroad program at locations as varied as Madrid, Tokyo, and Bangkok.

Professional Outcomes: In recent years, some of the top employers hiring Arizona grads have been Raytheon, Banner Health, Amazon, JPMorgan Chase, Northrop Grumman, Deloitte, and ADP. An astonishing 92% of employers rate Wildcats as coming to their first job with the skills needed to succeed; One in three students stay in Tuscon post-graduation, with Phoenix and Los Angeles also proving popular with Wildcat alumni.

Academic Highlights: All students must complete a minimum of twenty-nine credits in General Studies courses.  They must also meet requirements in three “awareness areas”: Cultural Diversity in the United States, Global Awareness, and Historical Awareness. There are plenty of opportunities for experiential learning as close to half of undergrads engage in research, land an internship, or have a practicum experience as part of their academic program.

Professional Outcomes: A healthy 89% percent of ASU graduates looking for work are employed within six months of earning their degrees. The median salary for an ASU grad is roughly $55,000. Among the school’s top fifty employers are Starbucks, the U.S. Air Force, Amazon, and the Intel Corporation. Most graduates settle in the Greater Phoenix area, with Tempe, Phoenix, and Los Angeles rounding out the list of the top three cities where recent alumni can be found.

Academic Highlights: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University stands as the world’s premier aviation and aerospace institution, offering 29 specialized bachelor’s programs that combine rigorous academics with cutting-edge research. While maintaining an 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio that supports personalized mentorship, most courses utilize an optimal 20-49 student format for technical training. The university’s industry-leading facilities, including the Boeing Center for Aviation Safety and the NEXTGEN Facility, provide students with unparalleled access to aerospace research and innovation, preparing them to solve real-world challenges in global aviation.

Professional Outcomes: Those graduating in 2023 had an 85% placement rate six months after graduation. 59% had entered the world of employment, and 27% elected to pursue an advanced degree. The mean salary for those employed was $68,500, and the highest-volume employers were the US Air Force, Northrop Grumman, the US Navy, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing. Popular grad schools included the University of West Florida, the University of Florida, Johns Hopkins, and Georgia Tech.

Academic Highlights: Northern Arizona University delivers comprehensive research-focused education through 100+ academic programs across seven colleges, offering students the resources of a public university with personalized attention. With 71% of classes maintaining an intimate 10-39 student size and 500+ global study programs, NAU blends accessible academics with worldwide perspectives. The university’s commitment to undergraduate research shines through its annual Undergraduate Symposium, where students showcase scholarly work, embodying NAU’s hands-on approach to learning.

Professional Outcomes: NAU graduates achieve solid career outcomes, earning a median salary of $50,000 with 49% securing positions at employers like Amazon, Boeing, and Enterprise Holdings. While 5% continue their education at institutions including Arizona State and the University of Washington, most alumni contribute to regional and national workforces. These results reflect NAU’s success in combining research opportunities, global awareness, and career-aligned academics to prepare graduates for professional success across diverse fields.

Academic Highlights: Arizona Christian University offers students a Christ-centered liberal arts education through 18 academic programs with 41 areas of study, all supported by an intimate 18:1 student-to-faculty ratio and average class size of 17. The university’s CORE curriculum grounds students in biblical worldview integration across disciplines, serving a diverse community from 38 states and 29 countries. This personalized learning environment fosters both intellectual growth and spiritual formation.

Professional Outcomes: ACU’s Class of 2024 achieved strong outcomes, with 73% employed (83% in major-related positions) and 32% preparing for graduate studies. Alumni serve in impactful roles at Christ’s Church of the Valley, Scottsdale Bible Church, Paradise Valley Unified School District, and Chick-fil-A, with most building their careers in Greater Phoenix. These results demonstrate ACU’s success in preparing graduates who combine professional competence with Christian leadership to transform their communities.