2023 Best Online Community Colleges in Arizona

Mohave Community College (MCC) in rural Kingman is a public, two-year institution offering online associate degrees in several fields of study, including administration of justice, business, computer information systems, and paralegal. A quarter of MCC's students participate in online-only education and complete online degrees, such as business administration, computer graphics and web design, and substance abuse counseling. These degrees help students prepare for entry-level careers and transfer to four-year universities. Full-time distance learners generally complete MCC's online associate degrees in two years. MCC has an open admission policy and accepts all applicants. It has an 18% graduation rate.

MCC delivers its online curriculum via the Canvas learning management system. It has a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and these small class sizes enable instructors to provide individualized instruction. Online student support services include tech support, online student readiness tutorials, tutoring, advising, library resources, and access to the bookstore. Future students may be eligible for scholarships through the Mohave Community College Foundation. These scholarships are based on financial need and grades.

Pima Community College is a public, Hispanic Serving Institution, as well as a Military Friendly School. Prospective students can pursue a variety of online associate degrees and certificate programs. Some of Pima’s online associate degree programs focus on the following subjects: business administration, programmer analyst, early childhood studies, health information technology, supply chain management, and more.

At Pima, online students complete coursework through the learning management system (LMS) called D2L Brightspace. Online classes are delivered in asynchronous and synchronous formats. Remote student support at Pima includes virtual tutoring services, an online library, academic advising, counseling, and disability services.

Tempe's Rio Salado College (RSC) is a public, Hispanic-serving institution in the Maricopa Community College system. It offers numerous online degrees at the associate level and limited online bachelor's degrees. About 40% of RSC's students participate in distance-only education. They enroll in RSC's online associate degrees in areas of study such as STEM, culture and society, education, business, applied technology, and behavior science and human services. Online bachelor's degrees include elementary education and public safety administration. Various online certificate programs are available in victimology, public administration, web design, cyber engineering, and Homeland Security. Due to its open admission policy, RSC accepts all applicants, and 13% of students graduate with degrees.

RSC uses its proprietary RioLearn online learning platform to deliver online coursework and instruction. It has a 25:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Distance learners can access RSC student resources, such as tutorial services, tech support, the library, testing, and academic advising. Online students may qualify for various scholarships from the Maricopa Community College District and the Maricopa Community College Foundation. RSC has been known for serving non-traditional students since 1978.

Mesa Community College (MCC) is a public institution that offers several online associate degrees and certificate programs. All of MCC Online’s courses require full academic credit, so students can easily transfer them to other schools. In addition, MCC Online offers the flexibility and affordability to help students successfully complete their programs on a budget.

Through MCC Online, students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats via the LMS Canvas. A few examples of the online associate degree programs offered at MCC Online include an Associate in Arts, with focuses in Social Work, Anthropology, Communication, and Counseling — to name a few possibilities. MCC Online also offers an Associate in Business, an Associate in General Studies, and several options for an Associate of Applied Science. Online students at MCC Online can access academic advising, tutoring, career services, disability resources, an online library, and more.

Yavapai College (YC) is a public institution that offers fully accredited online associate degrees and certificates. Future students interested in YC’s online associate degree programs can expect convenient online courses and a supportive faculty to help them succeed. From Business to Management, students can choose from several online associate degree programs.

YC facilitates asynchronous and synchronous online learning via Canvas. YC’s online associate degree programs cover the following subjects: elementary education, business, general studies, accounting, administration of justice, administrative professional, management, paralegal studies, and video game development. Online student resources at YC are academic advising, tutoring, disability services, veteran services, and more.

At Scottsdale Community College (SCC), a public institution, students can pursue various online associate degrees. Aside from the associate level, students can also obtain online certificates to advance their resumes further. SCC’s online programs allow students to obtain their education according to their personal preferences.

SCC online students complete coursework asynchronously and synchronously through the digital platform Canvas. A few examples of the online associate program subjects offered at SCC include anthropology, economics, general business, information technology, marketing, political science, retail management, sociology, and visual communication. SCC’s online student resources include advising, testing, tutoring, and an online library.

Bryan University Online (BU) is a private, for-profit institution in Tempe offering online degrees at the associate and bachelor's levels and one online master's degree in public health. Online undergraduate degrees are in areas of study such as healthcare, accounting, human resources, and technology. Notable degrees include online bachelor's degrees in healthcare administration, business administration - accounting, and exercise science. Courses run for eight weeks, which may help students finish degree programs faster. BU also offers online certificate programs such as medical billing and coding and pharmacy technician. BU has an open admission policy and accepts all applicants, while 23% of students graduate with degrees.

BU delivers its online asynchronous programming via Canvas and synchronous coursework via Zoom. It has a 32:1 student-to-faculty ratio. BU provides its distance learners with access to digital adaptive textbooks for some of its classes, which can save money. Other online student services include job assistance and employment counseling, academic advising, and Student Resource Center (SRC) access, including "Ask a Librarian."

Cochise College is a public institution that offers online associate degrees, certificate programs, and non-credit courses. In addition, Cochise has the Center for Lifelong Learning, which has several free online professional development and personal enrichment classes.

At Cochise, online students complete coursework in asynchronous and synchronous formats through the LMS Moodle. The online associate degree programs at Cochise include Business Administration, Elementary Education, Exercise Science, Health, and Physical Education, General Studies, General Requirements, and Intelligence Operations Studies. Online students can access tutoring, counseling, advising, and a virtual library.

As a distance-education-only institution, Sessions College for Professional Design (SCPD) in Tempe offers online degrees at the associate and bachelor's levels in fine arts fields. At this private, nonprofit college, online bachelor's degrees offered include a Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, Graphic Design, or Digital Photography. These fields of study are also available online at the associate level and as undergraduate certificates. SCPD's online bachelor's degrees take four years of full-time study, and associate degrees take two. SCPD accepts all applicants due to its open admission policy. It has a 57% graduation rate.

SCPD's distance learners use Canvas to access their online courses. It has a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Future students can apply for creative scholarships SCPD offers if they identify as career changers, international students, 24/7 parents, bridge students, entrepreneurs, or first-generation students. Awards range from $500 to $2,000.