Tempe, Ariz., April 1, 2026 – This April, Maricopa Community Colleges joins institutions nationwide to celebrate Community College Month. Observed annually, this year’s theme, “The Smartest First Step. The Strongest Next Step,” reinforces the 10-college system’s role in providing Arizonans with an accessible, affordable, high-quality education that leads to successful, high-wage careers.
“Each year, more than 140,000 students make the smart choice by beginning or continuing their academic journey at one of our 10 colleges,” said Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “We pride ourselves on being the best return on investment for not only our students, but also our workforce, government, and nonprofit partners, and the communities we serve. As we celebrate Community College Month, we reflect on what’s in our DNA, creating a better way to do college, which results in opportunities for every Arizonan.”
Pathways for Every Learner
For more than a century, Maricopa Community Colleges have been the first step and the next step for countless Arizonans. From high school students and first-generation college-goers taking their first college course to adult learners seeking short-term training to learn new skills or advance their careers.
Recognizing that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, Maricopa Community Colleges offers over 600 certificate and degree programs. Students benefit from small class sizes and flexible pathways at every stage of their higher education journey.
- Early College: Provides early access to college for more than 27,000 high schoolers through Achieving a College Education, dual enrollment, Hoop of Learning, and concurrent enrollment.
- Microcredentials and Certificates: Short-term programs, like microcredentials and certificates, provide workforce-ready skills in months, not years.
- Associate Degrees: These two-year degrees are the foundation of community colleges nationwide. With an associate degree, students can use it as a stepping stone to earn a bachelor’s degree or enter the workforce.
- Bachelor’s Degrees: With 11 affordable four-year degrees, students can transfer up to 90 credits from any of the system’s 10 colleges to their preferred bachelor’s degree program. The system will roll out additional programs beginning in Fall 2027.
- Transfer Pathways: An expansive network of transfer partnerships removes barriers, providing students with additional pathways to complete their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Closing the Skills Gap
As Arizona’s largest community college system and workforce training provider, Maricopa Community Colleges collaborates with industry, business, and government leaders to educate workforce-ready graduates for in-demand, high-wage careers in the state’s top fields, including healthcare, education, trade, and advanced manufacturing.
- Nurses: As Arizona’s largest integrated healthcare education provider, Maricopa Community Colleges educates nearly one-third of the state’s nurses. With over 70 Health Sciences programs, more than 8,000 students enroll annually.
- K-12 Teachers: Amid a decade-long teacher shortage, the system is stepping up to close the gap. For the 2024-25 academic year, over 300 students graduated with education-focused associate and bachelor’s degrees. Today, more than 2,050 students are enrolled in the system’s two bachelor’s degree programs in education.
- Construction Trades: The construction industry is expected to grow by 30% by 2030. To train the next generation of tradespeople, Maricopa Community Colleges offers 15 degree and certificate programs.
- Advanced Manufacturing: Arizona’s manufacturing industry is experiencing rapid growth. To support semiconductor manufacturing, the system offers 31 certificate and degree programs.
Smart Investment, Big Returns
Maricopa Community Colleges continues to redefine the value of higher education by making college work for every learner. With the lowest tuition in the county and scholarship opportunities, 93% of students graduate debt-free. For students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the system offers an affordable path at just one-third of the cost of Arizona’s public universities.
With impact extending beyond the classroom, Maricopa Community Colleges drives Arizona’s economic growth and strengthens its workforce. During the 2023-24 fiscal year alone, the 10-college system added nearly $9 billion in income to Maricopa County, supporting over 108,000 jobs—equivalent to one out of every 30 jobs. Alums currently employed in the county contribute an additional $7.1 billion in income.
Learn more at maricopa.edu.
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Media Contacts:
Lindsey Wilson, [email protected], (480) 703-8378
Mel Valenzuela, [email protected], (480) 298-5364
About Maricopa Community Colleges
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is one of the largest community college systems in the nation, serving approximately 140,000 students annually across 10 colleges. MCCCD offers affordable, high-quality education through associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, industry-recognized certificates, and workforce training programs. For more information, visit www.maricopa.edu.