Maricopa Community Colleges has reached a significant milestone in its bachelor’s degree programs, with the number of students admitted increasing nearly 15 percent year-over-year. The system anticipates surpassing 10,000 enrolled students this year across its 11 affordable bachelor’s degree programs as it advances a multi-year expansion of baccalaureate offerings.
“In just two years, we have seen extraordinary growth with our bachelor’s degree programs, which is undoubtedly associated with the lower per-credit-hour cost,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. “As many Arizonans weigh the decision of earning a bachelor’s degree, Maricopa Community Colleges continue to provide the most affordable and accessible path to higher education for all.”
Why It Matters
Tuition has tripled over the past 25 years at traditional four-year institutions. In Arizona alone, the annual in-state tuition and fees at public universities have risen from $2,272 in 2000 to over $12,000 today. For prospective students, key questions on degree relevance and affordability remain top of mind.
“The program’s affordability is just miles beyond the competition,” said Rheanan Heller, who became Rio Salado College’s first bachelor’s degree recipient in 2024. “I wouldn’t have been able to afford to go to school if I had gone to a four-year university, especially with a new baby.”
Community colleges remain an affordable, accessible entry point for many learners on their higher education journey, enrolling 39% of U.S. undergraduates. Today, 214 community colleges nationwide, including Maricopa Community Colleges, now offer a combined 763 bachelor’s degrees at a fraction of the cost when compared to traditional colleges and universities.
A Better Way to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
As the nation’s largest community college system, Maricopa Community Colleges offers over 600 certificate and degree programs, including 11 industry-aligned bachelor’s degrees. The 10-college system continues to provide the lowest-cost tuition in Maricopa County. With 93% of Maricopa Community Colleges students graduating debt-free, the system remains the most affordable option in Arizona. Since launching the affordable four-year degree programs in fall 2023, enrollment has grown from 1,800 to 8,746.
The Value of a Bachelor’s Degree
Even with rising tuition costs, many Americans still view higher education as valuable. A recent report on the State of Higher Education finds that 89% U.S. adults without a degree or credential believe it holds value. Additionally, 91% of bachelor's degree students are confident that their degree will provide job-related skills.
In Arizona, nearly seven in 10 jobs will soon require more education and training beyond high school. A study by the Helios Education Foundation and Education Forward Arizona shows that a bachelor’s degree can significantly boost lifetime earnings, with graduates earning $1.5 million more. Additionally, increasing postsecondary enrollment by 20% could generate more than $5 billion in annual economic gains for the state. Since Achieve60AZ launched nine years ago, Arizona’s postsecondary attainment rate has increased from 42% to 49%.
“I chose Mesa Community College because they were more affordable than a university, and I was able to obtain a First Things First scholarship that paid for my classes,” said Amber Hernandez, a 2025 graduate. “Along with offering eight-week classes, it allowed me to take more credits per semester, which allowed me to get my bachelor’s degree faster.”
By the Numbers
Student data details trends in enrollment, retention, and completion for Maricopa Community Colleges’ bachelor’s degree programs, including:
- Nearly 61% are first-generation college students, and 39.7% are 30 years old or older.
- While 45.3% are enrolled full-time, a majority have prior academic experience, with 72% having earned college credits, and 78.4% are continuing or former students of Maricopa Community Colleges.
- Financially, 30.1% of bachelor’s degree students receive a Federal Pell Grant.
In just two years, the system has seen strong completion outcomes, with 262 students graduating with bachelor’s degrees.
“When I heard about the bachelor’s program, a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders,” said Aryanaz Besharatlou, a Phoenix College 2025 graduate. “I saw the opportunity that you can start with community colleges, save a lot of money, and be closer to home.”
Learn more at maricopa.edu