Arizona Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
This guide provides key information for aspiring teachers in Arizona. Many colleges and universities in the state offer teaching degree programs designed to prepare future educators for the classroom. Continue reading to find a table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs and curated lists of affordable and top-ranked programs.
Table of Contents
- AZ Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 4 Affordable AZ Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Arizona Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Arizona Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 10 Arizona teacher preparation programs across key factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the Arizona State Board of Education (AZSBE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Arizona traditional certification guide and our Arizona alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Christian University | No | 140 | 22 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $28,962 |
| Arizona State University | No | 2485 | 838 | 92% | 358 | 88 | 85% | $14,653 |
| Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff | Yes | 1440 | 472 | 96% | 76 | 21 | 100% | $15,692 |
| Northern Arizona University-Yuma | Yes | 10 | 8 | N.Av. | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Ottawa University | No | 115 | 39 | 74% | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Pima Community College | No | 63 | 14 | 65% | 301 | 61 | 100% | $3,696 |
| Prescott College | No | 37 | 12 | 84% | 22 | 8 | N.Av. | $23,225 |
| Rio Salado College | No | 190 | 38 | 94% | 342 | 114 | 97% | $9,017 |
| Scottsdale Community College | No | 21 | 21 | 72% | 27 | 27 | 77% | $10,547 |
| University of Arizona | No | 799 | 270 | 89% | 47 | 10 | N.Av. | $15,620 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Arizona
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These four most affordable schools have a net price under $15,000.
- Pima Community College ($3,696)
- Rio Salado College ($9,017)
- Scottsdale Community College ($10,547)
- Arizona State University ($14,653)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Arizona
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Arizona
Our list of the top four bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff (96%)
- Rio Salado College (94%)
- Arizona State University (92%)
- University of Arizona (89%)2
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 20 Arizona schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Arizona Western College
- Central Arizona College
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
- Cochise County Community College District
- Dine College*
- Eastern Arizona College
- Estrella Mountain Community College
- GateWay Community College
- Glendale Community College-Glendale
- Mesa Community College
- Mohave Community College
- Northland Pioneer College
- Paradise Valley Community College
- Phoenix College
- Pima Community College*
- Rio Salado College
- Scottsdale Community College*
- South Mountain Community College
- Tohono O’odham Community College
- Yavapai College
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/