The best accredited online colleges in Arizona offer degree options with flexible learning formats. From baccalaureate programs to doctorate programs, the best online schools in Arizona have essential accreditation and offer affordable, world-class education to online students with flexible schedules.
Virtual schools in Arizona are among the best in the United States. Continue reading to find everything you need to know about the best online colleges in Arizona to help you with your school search, including the best virtual campus programs, school rankings, academic certificate options, and accreditation status.
Fully Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona: Two Types of Accreditation
The two types of accreditation in the United States, are regional and national accreditation. Regional accreditation is more widely accepted and operated in specific regions of the country, whereas national accreditation is for private institutions.
Incoming learners should be sure to know the status of their school of choice, as accreditation ensures the quality of their level of education.
Regionally Accredited Online Colleges
Regional accreditation is granted to both public and private universities in the same geographic area and is considered the highest form of essential accreditation. The main appeal of a regionally-accredited institution is that credits are accepted more universally, so it is easy to transfer credits to another regionally-accredited school.
Most online baccalaureate programs in Arizona are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission under the supervision of the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Nationally Accredited Online Colleges
National accreditation is typically granted to for-profit vocational schools or private colleges that offer online degrees in trade or technical education. National accreditation still ensures a high standard of education but is less compatible with other regionally-accredited schools.
Why Is Accreditation Important for College?
Accreditation is important for college because it ensures that the minimum quality standards of an educational institution are being met. An accredited university or college has the trust of your future employers or universities you may attend. It also regulates the credit transferring system from one college to another.
How to Find an Accredited Online College in Arizona
You can find out whether an online college in Arizona is accredited by visiting the website of the college and looking for its accreditation information. You can also find accreditation information through the official website of the regional accrediting agency in Arizona, or through official resources like the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP).
Check the US Department of Education’s Database
The US Department of Education’s database is known as the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP). To find a school’s accreditation, go to the DAPIP website, search the school name, and press the Search button. The name of your desired online school will appear if it is accredited, and then clicking on that link will lead you to its accreditation information.
Search for Colleges on the Regional Accrediting Agency’s Website
The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) is the regional accrediting body for colleges and education programs in Arizona. Go to the official HLC website. Select “Find Institutions” from the dropdown menu, select the state of Arizona, and then type the name of the institution you are looking for. You can also just select the state and click search to see all the regionally accredited colleges in Arizona.
Visit the School’s Official Website
To find out whether a university is accredited, you can also simply visit the school’s official website to look for its accreditation information. To access the accreditation page, you may want to do a Google site search to locate the information easily on the official website.
Top 10 Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona: Overview
| Ranking | Online College | Accreditation | Graduation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (regional) | 66% |
| 2 | University of Arizona | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 64% |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 59% |
| 4 | Prescott College | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 56% |
| 5 | Arizona State University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 52% |
| 6 | Arizona Christian University | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 48% |
| 7 | Ottawa University – Phoenix | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 45% |
| 8 | University of Advancing Technology | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 29% |
| 9 | Scottsdale Community College | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 16% |
| 10 | Phoenix College | Higher Learning Commission (regional) | 14% |
How We Ranked the Best Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona
We ranked the best accredited online colleges in Arizona by looking at the graduation rates of various institutions that offer fully online degree programs. The information in the table above comes from the schools’ official websites, the US Department of Education’s database of accredited schools, and the US Department of Education’s College Scorecard tool.
Best Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona: Deep Dive
The best accredited online colleges in Arizona, when ranked according to graduation rates, include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, and Prescott College. Below we’ll take a closer look at these school rankings and the most popular academic programs available to online students.
What Is the Easiest Online College That Is Accredited in Arizona?
The easiest online college that is accredited in Arizona is Arizona State University in Tempe, which offers a Bachelor of Science in Communication degree. The degree allows students to take 40 classes and can be fast-tracked if they have prior experience in the fields of journalism, production, or radio. Financial aid is also available to help with tuition fees.
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Easy is a relative term when talking about online accredited education because not everyone is going to feel the same way about online programs. Regardless, degree programs based in the humanities are typically more feasible than technical-based programs, such as those in STEM.
What Is the Cheapest Accredited Online College in Arizona?
The cheapest online accredited college in Arizona is Phoenix College. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in-state tuition costs $2,070 per year, and out-of-state tuition is $7,854. Additionally, nearly 84 percent of students receive some form of financial aid to fund their studies.
Are There Free Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona?
No, there are no free accredited online colleges in Arizona. However, there are other learning resources available, such as affordable online certifications that can be a useful stepping stone for building your career. Coursera and Udemy are great, affordable places to start and find free programs that can grant you a certification to help you jump into the profession of your choice.
If you’re only interested in looking for accredited courses, then there are always scholarships and grants that you can apply for. Other avenues include financial aid, such as federal and state student aid and partial scholarships.
Why Choose an Accredited Online College in Arizona?
You should choose an accredited online college in Arizona because they offer a wide range of flexible programs for distance learning. Additionally, Arizona colleges and universities offer affordable tuition fees for students wishing to enroll. Some courses that can’t be offered at a lower price point are supplemented with grants and financial aid to help students afford them.
Accredited Distance Learning
Arizona colleges provide online accredited degrees, also known as distance learning. These degrees are accredited, which means that these are officially recognized as being up to the standards set by national education boards. This in turn helps guarantee that the degree you receive will be considered valid and respected when applying in professional fields.
Affordable Tuition
Arizona colleges and universities offer many affordable options for quality education and degree programs. This is the result of a state initiative to get more students enrolled in graduate and undergraduate programs to encourage a higher literacy rate, therefore enabling students to enroll without breaking the bank.
Flexibility
Online or distance learning provides flexibility for those with a busy schedule. Whether you work part-time or simply prefer learning in the comfort of your own space, online degree programs offer flexible learning options that work with your personal schedule.
Most Affordable Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona
The most affordable accredited online colleges in Arizona include the American InterContinental University, Northern Arizona University, Ottawa University Phoenix Campus, University of Arizona, and Arizona State University.
- Scottsdale Community College | Tuition: $85/Credit. Scottsdale Community College offers excellent associate degree programs in the humanities, education, and applied sciences. The tuition rate does not include audit and course fees.
- Phoenix College | Tuition: $85/Credit. Another top-ranked Arizona community college, Phoenix College is a great option for those wanting to enroll in an associate degree in topics like computer science, media, and graphic design.
- Northern Arizona University (NAU) | Tuition: $455/Credit. The minimum online tuition per credit at NAU is $455. Top online programs at this university include degrees in management, liberal arts, and computer information technology.
- Ottawa University | Tuition: $499/Credit. Ottawa University offers online courses at an affordable cost along with high-level quality education. Popular online programs include health, human services, and education.
- University of Arizona | Tuition: $500/Credit. The University of Arizona charges a minimum amount of $500 to a maximum amount of $610 per credit for an undergraduate degree. The most popular virtual programs include those in psychology, nursing, and business.
- Arizona State University | Tuition: $561/Credit. Arizona State University charges a minimum of $561 and a maximum of $1,343 per credit for its online courses, depending on the program of study. The university features excellent programs in engineering, digital media, and business.
Best Online Accredited Colleges in Arizona That Accept Financial Aid
The most affordable accredited colleges in Arizona that accept financial aid include the University of Arizona, Arizona College of Nursing, Arizona Western College, Central Arizona College, and Arizona State University. The below statistics on student financial aid are from the National Center for Education Statistics.
- University of Arizona | Tuition: $500/Credit. The University of Arizona offers most students financial aid, with over 95 percent of students receiving financial aid during their undergraduate degrees.
- Arizona College – College of Nursing | Tuition: $708/Credit. The Arizona College of Nursing offers all students financial aid, and 100 percent of students receive financial aid in some form.
- Arizona Western College | Tuition: $92/Credit. Approximately 86 percent of students receive financial aid at Arizona Western College.
- Central Arizona College | Tuition: $86/Credit. Similar to Arizona Western College, Central Arizona College grants 76 percent of its undergraduate students some form of financial aid.
- Arizona State University | Tuition: $561/Credit. At Arizona State, approximately 92 percent of students receive aid in some form.
Best Online Schools in Arizona by Popular Subjects
The best online schools in Arizona by popular subjects include Grand Canyon University for computer science, Pima Medical Institute for nursing, and the University of Advancing Technology for various technical subjects. Read on to find out more about each school and the top programs offered.
Best Accredited Online Colleges With Associate Degree Programs in Arizona
The best accredited online colleges with associate degree programs in Arizona include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Arizona, Arizona Christian University, Scottsdale Community College, and Phoenix College.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Associate of Science in Aeronautics. This top-ranked AS program features a flexible yet rigorous curriculum that allows students to pursue their own interests of study.
- University of Arizona | Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education. UA features a well-respected early childhood education degree program, with core online courses such as teaching mathematics, technology for young children, and language arts and literacy practices.
- Arizona Christian University | Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education. ACU features an excellent online Associate in General Studies degree program that prepares students for education roles and features a mentorship program available to all students
- Scottsdale Community College | Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Economics. This two-year degree program requires a total of 60 credit hours to finish and teaches core online courses in macroeconomic principles, microeconomic principles, and business statistics.
- Phoenix College | Associate of Applied Science in Digital Media Arts. During this degree program, students learn the basics of design thinking, graphic design, and writing for online media.
Best Online Associate Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Arizona
The best accredited online colleges with bachelor’s degree programs in Arizona include Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University, Prescott College, and Arizona State University.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Bachelor of Science in Aviation and Business Administration. This university offers the best online bachelor’s programs in aeronautical engineering and aviation business administration.
- University of Arizona | Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Computing. This top-notch undergraduate degree program trains students in fundamental tech subjects like cyber security, programming, and computational thinking.
- Northern Arizona University | Bachelor of Science in Education: Career and Technical Education (BSED). This degree takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and combines psychology, technical advancements, and teaching methodologies.
- Prescott College | Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development. Prescott College is well known for its psychology-related programs, and this featured degree program focuses on training students in the critical thinking methods that are essential for psychology in practice.
- Arizona State University | Bachelor of Science in Accounting. ASU Online offers an online accounting degree from the W.P. Carey School of Business, which has been ranked as one of the best business schools in the country by US News & World Report.
Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees
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Best Accredited Online Colleges With Master’s Degree Programs in Arizona
The best accredited online colleges with master’s degree programs in Arizona include Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Northern Arizona University, Prescott College, and Ottawa University.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance. Students of this master’s program benefit from the technical focus of this degree, wherein online learners will learn about cyber and information assurance and security on a global scale.
- Northern Arizona University | Master of Education in Human Relations. In this degree program, students develop comprehensive practical skills for analyzing situations in a cultural, racial, ethnic, and diverse context.
- Prescott College | Master of Science in Counseling. The signature online courses in this degree program explore themes of social justice in counseling, mindfulness in clinical practice, and relationship counseling.
- Arizona State University | Master of Science in Addiction Psychology. This well-respected degree program from ASU tackles the psychology behind an addictive personality.
- Ottawa University – Phoenix | Master in Educational Technology. This master’s program teaches online learners about the ever-changing and evolving trends in educational technologies.
Best Online Master’s Degrees
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Why You Should Attend an Accredited Online College in Arizona
You should attend an accredited online college in Arizona because distance learning is flexible and can cater to your own personal needs. Additionally, accredited degrees are more respected and widely accepted for transferring credits.
Accreditation ensures that the highest education quality standards have been met in a university, so be sure to choose an online college that has a strong accreditation.
Accredited Online Colleges in Arizona FAQ
Yes, Arizona colleges offer online classes. Many universities and online colleges offer online classes or distance learning programs in Arizona including Prescott College, ASU online, Northern Arizona University, and Phoenix College.
Yes, Arizona State Online (ASU Online) is a highly respected university with regionally accredited online degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and certification levels for all kinds of online learners.
The easiest online college to get into is any community college. Most community colleges have open enrollment policies, meaning anyone with a high school diploma or equivalent can enroll in community college classes online.
The best online degree for you is the one you are most interested in. Choosing a degree that aligns with your own areas of interest is very important, and looking at the accreditation and choosing a degree with regional accreditation is the best way to narrow your school search.
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