Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Cost is resident tuition plus required fees, 2023-24.
Associate Degrees in Arizona
19
Meet the Ranking Threshold
16
Median Resident Tuition and Fees
$2,358
With a Fully Online Option
8
General Studies Associate Degrees in Arizona
Arizona's general studies associate degrees are 16 ranked programs and 3 others, every one of them at a public community college, and the thing that separates them is almost never price. Thirteen of the 16 ranked colleges charge between $2,136 and $2,428 a year in resident tuition and required fees for 2023-24, so the ranking is decided by how many students finish and how many degrees a college awards. Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher holds the top score at 79.3, 12th in the national associate ranking, because it combines the highest graduation rate among the ranked colleges, 42%, with 189 degrees a year and $2,352 in tuition and fees.
Yavapai College in Prescott is second at 70.7 on 328 degrees a year and a 34% graduation rate, with a fully online option. Cochise County Community College District in Sierra Vista follows at 62.2, then Mohave Community College in Kingman at 61.9 with a 38% graduation rate and $2,136 in tuition and fees, the lowest of the ranked programs. Arizona Western College in Yuma is the biggest program, 528 degrees a year, but its 20% graduation rate holds it to 54.5 and sixth place.
Graduation rates run from Eastern Arizona's 42% down to 9% at Rio Salado College in Tempe, with Mesa, Glendale and South Mountain at 16%. Tuition and fees run from $2,136 at Mohave to $3,254 at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff. Phoenix College, Scottsdale and GateWay sit below the ranking threshold with 5 to 9 degrees a year.
The 16 Best General Studies Associate Degrees in Arizona
The best general studies associate degrees in Arizona are ranked below by their national score, from the national associate degree ranking. The number on each card is the program's place in Arizona. Each needed at least 10 graduates in the latest year to be ranked.
1
Eastern Arizona College
Associate of General Studies
Arizona
79.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 42%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,352 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 189
About the Program
Everything in the Associate of General Studies rests on the Arizona General Education Curriculum, which here means 32 to 35 credits across six categories. Written and oral communication takes 6 to 10 credits, the first 6 in English composition and the rest in communication studies or languages. Arts and humanities and social and behavioral sciences each run 6 to 9 credits, natural sciences 4 to 8, quantitative reasoning 3 to 4, plus a 3-credit Institutions of the Americas course, so the ranges leave room to lean toward science or the arts.
Competency, not seat time, is how the college frames the general education requirement. You fulfill it by demonstrating the college's Essential Learning Outcomes: communication, creativity, critical thinking, diverse and global perspectives, and technology and information literacy. That framing matters because the AGEC categories are the vehicle and the outcomes are the destination, which gives you a way to judge whether a course you're considering for the core is teaching you something the college says you'll have to show.
Finishing the AGEC before you leave is the decision that matters. Complete it and it fulfills the lower-division general education requirements of the corresponding bachelor's degree at each of the three Arizona state universities, and the college certifies the completed AGEC on your transcript. Leave with it unfinished and your courses aren't packaged together but evaluated one by one by the university you transfer to, which is why the college advises completing the AGEC here first. Courses transferred in from another college can count toward it, so credits you already hold aren't wasted.
Some majors need more than the AGEC. If the one you want isn't listed in the college's catalog, or is flagged as a Transfer Guide-Extra Requirements degree, you're told to consult the target university's catalog or its curriculum transfer guide before choosing courses, because the general core alone won't cover the extra requirements. The college strongly recommends getting help from an advisor at the university you plan to transfer to, so the planning conversation happens at both ends rather than only here.
2
Yavapai College
Associate of Arts
Arizona
70.7- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 34%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,838 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 328
About the Program
Inside the 60 credit hours of the Associate of Arts sits the Arizona General Education Curriculum, known as the AGEC. Finish all 32-35 credit hours of the AGEC with a grade of C or higher and you get recognition of completion on your transcript, plus guaranteed transferability of the AGEC upon admission to a state university in Arizona. The guarantee applies upon admission, so you still have to be admitted by the university.
Beyond general education you take 22-25 credits, and the college recommends five 200 level courses as required for the major. A couple of rules shape what counts. Written communication must be met with two semesters of English composition or their equivalents, but courses with the DAN, PHE and REC prefixes are limited to 4 activity-based credit hours each.
If you follow the Associate of Arts, your general education is set up to fulfill all lower division general education requirements at the Arizona universities. The college points you to ASU's Transfer Admission Guarantee, which helps you plan coursework to meet the lower-division course requirements for your ASU major, and to NAU's Jacks Path, which shows how your credits transfer. For the University of Arizona, UA Bridge is described as a partnership with several Arizona community colleges.
3
Cochise County Community College District
Arizona
62.2- Public
- College graduation rate
- 30%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,232 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 167
About the Program
Cochise County Community College District is a public college in Sierra Vista, Arizona that enrolls 3,905 students. It conferred 167 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 72% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Cochise County Community College District, 30% graduate, and that beats 33 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $2,232 a year for residents and $6,000 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 98% of programs at this level. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 98th percentile.
4
Mohave Community College
Arizona
61.9- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 38%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,136 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 28
About the Program
Kingman, Arizona is home to Mohave Community College, a public community college of 4,619 students. It conferred 28 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 24% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. A 38% graduation rate puts the college at the 59th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Residents pay $2,136 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $7,248. Because the full degree is offered online, it is open to students well outside the region. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 98th percentile.
5
Estrella Mountain Community College
Arizona
60.1- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 32%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 79
About the Program
Estrella Mountain Community College is a public community college in Avondale, Arizona that enrolls 10,109 students. The program's last federal report shows 79 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 51 in every 100 programs measured here. A 32% graduation rate puts the college at the 41st percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $2,358 a year as a resident and $8,959 otherwise. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 96th percentile.
6
Arizona Western College
Arizona
54.5- Public
- College graduation rate
- 20%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,820 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 528
About the Program
Yuma, Arizona is home to Arizona Western College, a public community college of 8,964 students. It conferred 528 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 91% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 20% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 9% of the institutions behind this list. Residents pay $2,820 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $9,630. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 93rd percentile.
7
Pima Community College
Arizona
54.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 28%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,370 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 93
About the Program
Based in Tucson, Arizona, Pima Community College is a public community college with 16,283 students on its rolls. It conferred 93 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 56% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Pima Community College, 28% graduate, and that beats 26 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees are $2,370 a year for residents and $7,686 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 95% of programs at this level. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 95th percentile.
8
Coconino Community College
Arizona
52.0- Public
- College graduation rate
- 24%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $3,254 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 142
About the Program
Coconino Community College is a public community college in Flagstaff, Arizona that enrolls 2,524 students. Some 142 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 68% of the programs ranked alongside it. Its college-wide graduation rate is 24%, the 17th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Expect tuition and fees of $3,254 a year as a resident and $9,492 otherwise. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 91st percentile.
9
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Arizona
46.5- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 30%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 16
About the Program
Some 15,085 students attend Chandler-Gilbert Community College, a public community college in Chandler, Arizona. It conferred 16 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 11% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Across the whole college, 30% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 33% of the institutions behind this list. Tuition and fees are $2,358 a year for residents and $8,959 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 96% of programs at this level. Nothing in the degree requires attending in person, since it is offered fully online. What lifts it most is price, where it reaches the 96th percentile.
10
Central Arizona College
Arizona
45.9- Public
- College graduation rate
- 27%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,250 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 28
About the Program
Some 5,053 students attend Central Arizona College, a public community college in Coolidge, Arizona. During the most recent year on record it awarded 28 associate's degrees, a count at the 24th percentile for size. Its college-wide graduation rate is 27%, the 24th percentile, because the federal record tracks completion by institution. Expect tuition and fees of $2,250 a year as a resident and $4,500 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 97th percentile.
11
Rio Salado College
Arizona
44.0- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 9%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 102
About the Program
Tempe, Arizona is home to Rio Salado College, a public college of 18,841 students. During the most recent year on record it awarded 102 associate's degrees, a count at the 60th percentile for size. Across the whole college, 9% of students finish, which is a higher rate than 1% of the institutions behind this list. Expect tuition and fees of $2,358 a year as a resident and $8,958 otherwise. The degree can be finished entirely online, which suits anyone who cannot move or stop working. On price it does best, reaching the 96th percentile.
12
Mesa Community College
Arizona
40.3- Public
- Fully Online Option
- College graduation rate
- 16%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 54
About the Program
Mesa Community College is a public college in Mesa, Arizona that enrolls 17,077 students. It conferred 54 associate's degrees in the latest reported year, which is more than 40% of the associate's programs ranked at this level. Of the students who start at Mesa Community College, 16% graduate, and that beats 3 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Residents pay $2,358 a year in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay $8,959. Distance students can complete the whole degree online, so where you live matters less here. On price it does best, reaching the 96th percentile.
13
Northland Pioneer College
Arizona
37.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 22%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,428 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 18
About the Program
Based in Holbrook, Arizona, Northland Pioneer College is a public college with 3,158 students on its rolls. Some 18 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 13% of the programs ranked alongside it. Of the students who start at Northland Pioneer College, 22% graduate, and that beats 13 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Tuition and fees run $2,428 a year in state against $9,851 out of state, so on price it sits at the 94th percentile. Its strongest mark is price, at the 94th percentile.
14
Glendale Community College
Arizona
36.7- Public
- College graduation rate
- 16%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 30
About the Program
Based in Glendale, Arizona, Glendale Community College is a public college with 13,914 students on its rolls. The program's last federal report shows 30 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 26 in every 100 programs measured here. Of the students who start at Glendale Community College, 16% graduate, and that beats 3 in every 100 institutions on this measure. Expect tuition and fees of $2,358 a year as a resident and $8,959 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 96th percentile.
15
Paradise Valley Community College
Arizona
35.3- Public
- College graduation rate
- 19%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 18
About the Program
Phoenix, Arizona is home to Paradise Valley Community College, a public college of 6,148 students. Some 18 associate's degrees were conferred in the last year on record, a bigger output than 13% of the programs ranked alongside it. A 19% graduation rate puts the college at the 7th percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Tuition and fees are $2,358 a year for residents and $8,959 for students from out of state, which makes it cheaper than 96% of programs at this level. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 96th percentile.
16
South Mountain Community College
Arizona
34.4- Public
- College graduation rate
- 16%
- In-state tuition and fees
- $2,358 a year
- Degrees awarded, latest year
- 21
About the Program
Phoenix, Arizona is home to South Mountain Community College, a public college of 4,516 students. The program's last federal report shows 21 associate's degrees conferred, so it is larger than 17 in every 100 programs measured here. A 16% graduation rate puts the college at the 3rd percentile, though that figure counts every student who started there and not this degree alone. Expect tuition and fees of $2,358 a year as a resident and $8,958 otherwise. Strongest of its measures is price, which lands at the 96th percentile.
Other General Studies Associate Degrees in Arizona
The other general studies associate degrees in Arizona awarded fewer than 10 degrees in the latest year or did not report a figure the ranking uses, so they are listed here without a score. That says something about size and nothing on its own about quality.
| College | Degrees Awarded | Graduation Rate | Tuition and Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix College, Phoenix | 9 | 14% | $2,358 |
| Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale | 8 | 17% | $2,358 |
| GateWay Community College, Phoenix | 5 | 29% | $2,358 |
Source: IPEDS, as of September 29, 2026. Graduation rate is the college's, for first-time, full-time students.
How Much Does a General Studies Associate Degree Cost in Arizona?
A general studies associate degree in Arizona costs $2,358 a year in resident tuition and required fees at the median program for 2023-24, and 10 of the 19 programs sit at exactly that figure because they belong to the Maricopa County district. Mohave Community College in Kingman is the low end at $2,136, then Cochise County at $2,232, Central Arizona College at $2,250 and Eastern Arizona at $2,352. Above the Maricopa rate come Pima at $2,370, Northland Pioneer at $2,428, Arizona Western at $2,820, Yavapai at $2,838 and Coconino Community College at $3,254, the high end. Nonresidents pay between $4,500 at Central Arizona and $9,851 at Northland Pioneer.
State aid that fits a community college student comes through the Arizona leveraging educational assistance program, which state statute opens to residents with financial need who are attending, on at least a half-time basis, an approved program at an accredited postsecondary institution in the state. That half-time floor is the useful part for an associate student working alongside classes. The Arizona Board of Regents administers the program, and your college's financial aid office can tell you whether it participates and how the grant is awarded there.
Will a General Studies Associate Degree Transfer in Arizona?
A general studies associate degree in Arizona transfers to the three public universities when it contains the Arizona General Education Curriculum, the 32 to 35 credit block of lower-division general education courses that AZTransfer maintains. Complete the AGEC at a public community or tribal college and it transfers as a block to Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona. Finish it with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and you get assured general admission to ASU, NAU and the University of Arizona. Beginning in 2026 there is one unified AGEC rather than the previous AGEC-A, AGEC-B and AGEC-S options.
The degree wrapped around the AGEC matters too. AZTransfer says the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Business transfer as a block without loss of credit to the public universities, and the Associate in Arts is the degree designed for students who plan to transfer. Yavapai's ranked program is an Associate of Arts. Eastern Arizona's is an Associate of General Studies, a separate award the university reads course by course.
If you left a university with credits and no degree, the Board of Regents' AZ Comeback Initiative works with ASU, NAU and the University of Arizona to re-engage students with some college and no degree, and a general studies associate can be the way back in.
What Do Jobs With a General Studies Associate Degree Pay in Arizona?
Jobs open to a general studies associate degree in Arizona pay the state medians below, from the May 2025 federal wage survey, with the national median beside each for comparison. Each row links to the salary guide for that job.
How to Choose a General Studies Associate Degree Program in Arizona
Graduation rate is the first thing to check when choosing a general studies associate degree program in Arizona, because tuition and fees won't separate the colleges and the completion gap is enormous. Eastern Arizona graduates 42%, Mohave 38%, Yavapai 34% and Estrella Mountain Community College 32%. At the other end, Rio Salado graduates 9%, and Mesa, Glendale and South Mountain graduate 16%. The trade-off the data shows is size against completion: Arizona Western awards 528 degrees at a 20% graduation rate, while Eastern Arizona awards 189 at 42%.
Six ranked programs offer a fully online option: Yavapai, Mohave, Estrella Mountain, Chandler-Gilbert, Mesa and Rio Salado. Of those, Mohave and Yavapai pair online study with the two highest completion rates, 38% and 34%. If you plan to continue to a bachelor's, ask whether the degree is awarded as an Associate of Arts, as Yavapai's is, or an Associate of General Studies, as Eastern Arizona's is, since the two carry different transfer rules, and ask whether it contains the complete AGEC rather than part of it.