Graduating with an Associate’s Degree from your local community college can add thousands of dollars per year onto your paychecks. A wide range of two year degree programs are offered at all community colleges in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Best of all, the cost of these two year degree programs is significantly less than tuition at a state university. Fitting classes into your busy schedule, even if you have a full time job, is easy with the variety of classes offered at multiple locations and times. You can even take accelerated courses and online classes. Furthering your education is the smartest move you can make to increase your earning potential. Start now by selecting a nearby campus that caters to your education needs.
Phoenix College
1202 W Thomas Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85013
(602) 285-7800
www.phoenixcollege.edu
Phoenix College offers over 200 programs or careers. These programs include arts, culinary, fashion, healthcare, computers, architecture, constructions, criminal justice, fire science, language, education, finance, and marketing. Northern Arizona University has partnered with Phoenix College, making it easier for students to go on to complete their bachelor’s degree after finishing their associate’s degree. Maricopa county residents pay just $71 per credit hour. Prices per credit hour increase depending on whether you are an out-of-county or out-of-state student, with $299 for full time out-of-county students being the maximum cost per credit hour. If you need money for school, contact their financial aid office at (602) 285-7410 to inquire about grants, work study programs, and loans that you may be eligible for. Scholarships may also be applied for in the scholarship office. Go online to the Phoenix College website to register for classes and browse the class schedule. They no longer print the class schedule books in effort to be more eco-friendly.
Paradise Valley Community College
18401 N 32nd Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
(602) 787-6500
http://www.pvc.maricopa.edu
PVCC offers a variety of classes and degree programs, including nursing, fire science, and criminal justice. They also offer non-credit fitness and continuing education classes. Their financial aid office will help you meet your college expenses with federal, state, and private sources. Just make sure to fill out your FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. In state tuition cost is $71 per credit hour. PVCC’s athletic program offers several sports for both men and women: baseball, track and field, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and softball. Students interested in furthering their leadership skills are encouraged to apply to PVCC’s Peak Leadership Institute. Clubs focused in essentially any area are available for students to join. Students with a high GPA should check out the Honors Program. Honors Program students are qualified for many special opportunities and may even qualify for the President’s scholarship or tuition waiver.
Rio Salado College
2323 W 14th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 517-8000
www.riosalado.edu
For those looking for an alternative to traditional education, Rio Salado may just be the place. Their online classes start every Monday and are perfect for the student who wants to work at their own pace. Degree programs include dentistry, retail management, behavioral health, computer technology, nursing, military leadership, and teacher education. Tuition for Rio Salado is the same as Phoenix College, with Maricopa County students paying the lowest per credit hour at $71. The Textbook Savings Program helps students save money on textbooks by allowing the students to purchase special textbooks that contain only the material needed for their class. These textbooks can be sold back to Rio Salado just like normal textbooks.
Art Institute of Phoenix
2233 W Dunlap Ave # 109
Phoenix, AZ 85021
(602) 331-7500
www.artinstitutes.edu/phoenix
The Art Institute of Phoenix offers both associate’s degrees and bachelor’s degrees to those interested in the arts from design to culinary. Their programs include advertising, animation, culinary arts and management, film, fashion, interior design, video game design and programming, web design and interactive media, and graphic design. The cost per credit is $449, and each degree program requires a different number of credits. Financial aid information is offered on the Art Institute’s website. Advisors are available to help students with career planning. School-sponsored housing is offered, starting at $597 per month for two-bedroom that accommodates four students. The Art Institute of Phoenix is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.
