Every college journey starts somewhere, and for more than 140,000 learners, it begins at one of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges. Keeping pace with national trends, the system’s enrollment continues to climb, with the Spring 2026 semester experiencing a 4% year-over-year increase. As public sentiment toward community colleges rises, the system’s continued commitment to affordability, early college offerings, and direct connection to industry is drawing students in.
“The success we are seeing is rooted in the fact that we are making efforts to ensure college works for every Arizonan,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor. “Each day, we ask ourselves, what makes opportunity real and how do we create that opportunity for our students?”
The Big Picture
Last fall, undergraduate enrollment at community colleges increased by 3%, more than double the rate seen at public, four-year institutions. In addition, growth in certificate and associate degree programs continues to expand, with certificate programs experiencing four consecutive years of growth at community colleges nationwide. Community colleges have a long history of creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds, including first-generation, non-traditional, lifelong learners, and those seeking practical training.
Unmatched Affordability
Nearly eight-in-ten adults believe colleges and universities are doing a poor job of keeping tuition affordable for learners. Today, the cost of a public, four-year, in-state postsecondary education is greeted with sticker shock by most families, with a national average of $11,371 a year. At a time when the cost of higher education continues to skyrocket, Maricopa Community Colleges is keeping tuition affordable. Students pay only $97 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $145.50 per credit hour for upper-division courses. Many of the system’s 11 bachelor’s degree programs can be completed for under $15,000, equivalent to one year of tuition and fees at one of Arizona’s state universities. Additionally, 93% of Maricopa Community Colleges’ students graduate debt-free.
“Being the number one choice for Arizonans doesn’t mean added cost or exclusivity,” continued Chancellor Gonzales. “It simply means finding new ways to be innovative and listening to what our students need so that we can open the doors to higher education for everyone.”
Opportunity Starts Early
Dual enrollment doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. In fact, during the 2023-24 academic year, more than 2.8 million students were taking dual enrollment classes across the country. Of those students, 2 million relied on their local community college for a jump start on their college education. Dual enrollment has become one of the most effective strategies for increasing postsecondary persistence and attainment. Research from the Helios Education Foundation found that dual enrollment students are twice as likely to attend college and, once enrolled, are more likely to persist, earn higher GPAs, and complete postsecondary degrees.
As Arizona’s largest community college system, Maricopa Community Colleges is creating a college-going mindset amongst high school students across the Valley. Dual enrollment is just one of the early college programs available. Without leaving their high school campus, more than 25,000 students are fulfilling high school diploma requirements while also earning college credits.
Workforce-Ready Graduates
From TSMC’s semiconductor investments to a thriving aerospace and defense sector to an increased demand for healthcare professionals, Arizona is moving at the speed of business. The state has become the most competitive in the mountain region, attracting top companies and talent. As the state’s largest provider of workforce training, Maricopa Community Colleges supports one out of every 30 jobs in Maricopa County. The system maintains partnerships with more than 170 companies, working hand-in-hand to develop programs and curriculum that address critical labor shortages.
As Gen Z seeks out AI-proof jobs and adult learners look to reskill, Maricopa Community Colleges proudly offers pathways across the workforce continuum. Students can be job-ready in as little as 6 weeks, thanks to the system’s Fast Track certificates. For those looking to earn a bachelor’s degree, learners can choose from workforce-aligned programs, including business administration, information technology, nuclear medicine, and nursing. During the 2022-23 academic year, more than half of the credentials awarded by a community college were workforce or career-and-technical credentials.
“If you look back at some of the earliest community colleges, many were formed with the intention of educating and training workers to support expanding industries,” shared Chancellor Gonzales. “While the higher education landscape has evolved, much of what we do is still rooted in the same mission: preparing students to be workforce-ready so they can become gainfully employed and earn a living wage. When a student earns a credential and moves into the workforce, they create upward mobility for not only themselves but their families and future generations.”
Learn how Maricopa Community Colleges is creating opportunity for every Arizonan.