Arizona Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Arizona College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Arizona institutions.
Top Arizona Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Public 4-yr | $11,618 | $31,450 | 65,100 |
| University of Arizona | Public 4-yr | $13,200 | $39,400 | 38,700 |
| Northern Arizona University | Public 4-yr | $12,294 | $29,652 | 22,100 |
| Grand Canyon University | Private | $17,050 | $17,050 | 104,000 |
| University of Phoenix | Private | $9,552 | $9,552 | 86,000 |
| Maricopa Community Colleges | Community | $3,800 | $10,200 | 140,000 |
Arizona State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) and the Arizona Board of Regents.
Arizona Promise Program
Last-dollar tuition program at AZ public universities for Pell-eligible AZ residents.
Arizona Teacher Academy
Covers tuition and fees at AZ public universities for students pursuing teaching degrees with AZ service commitment.
Arizona Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (AzLEAP)
Need-based grant for AZ residents at eligible AZ institutions.
Regents High Honors Endorsement
For AZ high school grads passing AIMS with exceeds standards.
Student Loan Options for Arizona Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Arizona have a state student loan program?
Yes. Arizona offers the Arizona Teacher Student Loan Program, which is a need-based forgivable loan designed to encourage private college students who are Arizona residents to become teachers in an Arizona public school. The loan is forgiveable if certain criteria are met. Learn more about the Arizona Teacher Student Loan Program
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Arizona state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
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Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about student loans and financial aid from Arizona students.
How much does college cost in Arizona?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Arizona public four-year universities is about $12,700 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $27,900 on campus for Arizona residents and $41,400 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Arizona?
Arizona borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $35,100. Total outstanding federal student debt for Arizona residents is approximately $34.6 billion.
Does Arizona offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. AZ administers the Arizona Promise Program (free tuition for Pell-eligible students), the AZ Teacher Academy, AzLEAP (need-based), AIMS Tuition Scholarship (merit), and CSAP.
Does Arizona have a state student loan program?
Yes. Arizona offers a forgiveable loan for teachers who go to private college and become public school teachers.
Which Arizona colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
AZ community colleges average $3,800 per year. ASU is the lowest three-major public at $11,618 in-state, followed by NAU. UA is the highest in-state at $13,200.
What scholarships are available for Arizona residents?
Key awards include the Arizona Promise Program, AZ Teacher Academy, AzLEAP, AIMS Scholarship, and CSAP. GCU offers substantial merit scholarships.
Related Arizona Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Arizona public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- AZ Commission for Postsecondary Education program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller