This May, Maricopa Community Colleges is preparing to confer more than 18,400 degrees and certificates across its 10 colleges, including approximately 350 bachelor’s degrees, from eight programs.
“The commencement season is filled with joy and excitement, as we celebrate the culmination of our students' academic achievements,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “As I prepare for my final commencement season, I’m reminded of the sheer impact of our system, as students prepare to lead, serve, and innovate throughout Arizona.”
The Class of 2026 will make an immediate impact in some of the state’s most critical industries. More than 90% of students enrolled across the system are Arizona residents. They will step into vital roles such as nurses, teachers, skilled trades professionals, and advanced manufacturing technicians, among many others.
Clear Pathways to the Future
With nine Fields of Study that include over 600 microcredentials, certificates, associate degrees, and 11 bachelor’s degrees, students have a clear path forward after graduation, including finishing their bachelor’s degrees at Maricopa Community Colleges, transferring to a partner institution, or entering the workforce.
Annually, the 10-college system enrolls more than 145,000 students, and is the largest provider of higher education for state residents. Here’s how this year’s graduates will close workforce gaps in Arizona:
- General Transfer Certificate and Degrees: Over 3,300 students will continue their academic endeavors at one of the system’s transfer partners.
- Applied Technology: More than 800 graduates will have the skills needed for roles that include automotive repair, CNC machining, and aircraft maintenance.
- Behavioral Sciences and Human Services: More than 2,400 graduates will have the training necessary to serve communities as counselors, firefighters, law enforcement, paralegals, and social workers.
- Business, Entrepreneurialism, and Management: Over 2,400 students are on a pathway to careers in accounting, hospitality, management, marketing, and entrepreneurialism.
- Computer and Information Technology: Nearly 1,000 graduates are highly skilled in areas such as cybersecurity, data analytics, and video game production.
- Culture and Society: Nearly 350 students will use their skills in anthropology, creative writing, economics, and journalism to shape the world around them.
- Education: More than 400 graduates are now prepared to teach the next generation of students in areas like elementary, special, and secondary education.
- Health Sciences: Nearly 3,000 graduates will provide compassionate care in health-related fields such as dental hygiene, nursing, paramedicine, phlebotomy, and respiratory care.
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics: More than 560 students gained skills in STEM-related pathways like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, engineering, mortuary science, sustainable horticulture, and veterinary.
- Visual and Performing Arts: Nearly 390 graduates will pursue their love of the arts as actors, artists, designers, and musicians.
Graduating with Financial Freedom
As the most affordable option for higher education in Maricopa County, Maricopa Community Colleges continues to keep tuition costs accessible to all students. For the fourth consecutive fiscal year, tuition will remain unchanged across its 10 colleges. Students pay just $97 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $145.50 per credit hour for upper-division classes.
For the vast majority of Maricopa Community Colleges students, 93% graduate and enter the job market debt-free thanks to grants, scholarships, and free and low-cost textbooks.
Learn more about how Maricopa Community Colleges is making college work for every Arizonan at maricopa.edu.