Maricopa Community Colleges will keep tuition unchanged for the fourth consecutive year, reinforcing its commitment to affordability and access for students across Maricopa County and the state of Arizona.
“Today’s students already face higher costs for transportation, groceries, utilities, and other necessities,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “It’s up to us to keep tuition low, and by doing so, we’re ensuring that higher education remains affordable and accessible to all learners.”
Student Feedback Impacts Tuition Decision
To better understand the potential impact of a tuition increase, the system conducted a comprehensive budget survey of students and a focus group with elected student leaders from the Maricopa Student Senate.
Key findings included:
- A $5 increase is manageable for many, but would strain some students.
- An $8 increase significantly raises the risk of stop-outs, increases borrowing, delays completion, and creates hardships related to basic needs.
- Student feedback clearly indicates that tuition increases present real challenges.
“The Governing Board’s decision reflects a careful balance between fiscal responsibility and our commitment to student access,” said Dr. Linda Thor, Maricopa Community Colleges Governing Board President. “Maricopa Community Colleges play a vital role in Arizona’s economic strength and in preparing the workforce that supports our state’s continued growth. Keeping tuition stable is one of the most direct ways we can support students, their families, and the long-term health of our communities.”
People Over Profits
At a time when many two-year and four-year public in-state colleges and universities nationwide are raising tuition, thereby increasing the financial burden on learners, Maricopa Community Colleges continue to prioritize students' financial well-being. The 10-college system is determined to provide students with the lowest tuition in Maricopa County. Students will continue to pay $97 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $145.50 per credit hour for upper-division courses.
To further reduce costs for students, the Governing Board also approved a change to simplify the current registration fee model. Now, students attending multiple Maricopa Community Colleges will pay only one single $15 registration fee per semester.
“One of the biggest reasons I chose GateWay was its affordability,” shared Mark Garcia, a current student completing his RN-BSN at GateWay Community College. “That made it possible for me to keep going in school without added financial stress, while still receiving great support and instruction.”
A Continued Commitment to Affordability—and Arizona's Future
As the nation's largest community college system, the Maricopa Community Colleges serves over 145,000 students each year and plays a central role in preparing the workforce that drives the state's economy, from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to education and emerging technologies.
For more than a decade, the system has operated without state operating aid, requiring Maricopa Community Colleges to remain disciplined and strategic in balancing affordability with the resources needed to deliver high-quality education and workforce training at scale. During that same period, tuition has increased only once, reflecting a long-standing commitment to minimizing financial burden on students while continuing to meet the needs of Arizona's growing economy.
Learn how Maricopa Community Colleges is making college work for every Arizonan at maricopa.edu.