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2026 Best Value Trade Schools in Arizona
Looking for the best-value Trade degree programs in Arizona? Our ranking highlights 110 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed 21 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Arizona
Explore the best-value schools below:
Estrella Mountain Community College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Arizona. This public school is set in Avondale, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,752 in student loans. Estrella Mountain Community College alumni report median earnings of $44,356 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Estrella Mountain Community College
Out of the 21 schools in Arizona in this year's value ranking, Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #2 spot. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Gateway Community College Phoenix Trade students take on a median of $15,736 in debt. Gateway Community College Phoenix alumni report median earnings of $46,147 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Gateway Community College Phoenix
A rank of #3 makes Chandler Gilbert Community College one of the best values in Arizona. Located in Chandler, AZ, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. The median Trade program debt is $10,447. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $51,111. That is a strong return on a $10,447 median debt. Read the full report on Chandler Gilbert Community College
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Arizona College earned it the #4 place in Arizona. Eastern Arizona College is a public school based in Thatcher, AZ. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,552. Eastern Arizona College Trade students take on a median of $6,781 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,018. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on Eastern Arizona College
You'll get strong value at Central Arizona College, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Coolidge, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, compared with $4,500 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $11,635. Central Arizona College alumni report median earnings of $40,513 a decade after entry. Set against $11,635 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on Central Arizona College
Phoenix College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Phoenix College is a public school based in Phoenix, AZ. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. The median Trade program debt is $15,204. Phoenix College alumni report median earnings of $40,870 a decade after entry. Set against $15,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Phoenix College report
Mohave Community College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Kingman, AZ, Mohave Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Graduates carry a median of $14,766 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,522. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about Mohave Community College
Mesa Community College landed the #8 spot for value in Arizona this year. Set in Mesa, AZ, Mesa Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete their Trade program here. Median earnings reach $44,034 ten years out. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Mesa Community College
Northland Pioneer College landed the #9 spot for value in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Holbrook, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,232, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Students borrow a median of $8,680 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,199. Set against $8,680 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Northland Pioneer College
Cochise College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Cochise College is a public school based in Sierra Vista, AZ. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,280, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Cochise College Trade students take on a median of $12,013 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $38,033. That is a strong return on a $12,013 median debt. Read the full report on Cochise College
Pima Community College landed the #11 spot for value in Arizona this year. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Pima Community College Trade students take on a median of $10,655 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,810. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt. More on Pima Community College
Glendale Community College Glendale Az placed #12 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. Based in Glendale, AZ, Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Students borrow a median of $15,996 to complete their Trade program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,108. Set against $15,996 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Yavapai College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Prescott, AZ, Yavapai College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,948, compared with $9,486 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,087 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,890 ten years after entry. Set against $14,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read more about Yavapai College
Arizona Western College placed #14 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. Located in Yuma, AZ, Arizona Western College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $36,857. Get the full Arizona Western College report
University Of Phoenix Arizona ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Set in Phoenix, AZ, University Of Phoenix Arizona is a private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,552. Typical Trade student debt is $35,323. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,752. That is a strong return on a $35,323 median debt. See the full University Of Phoenix Arizona profile
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. This public school is set in Scottsdale, AZ. Students from in state pay about $11,627 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,925. Graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $23,742 median debt. The acceptance rate is 67%. Read more about Arizona State University Skysong
Arizona State University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Arizona State University Trade students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,668 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Arizona landed the #18 spot for value in Arizona this year. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical Trade student debt is $21,861. Median earnings reach $59,979 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Grand Canyon University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Based in Phoenix, AZ, Grand Canyon University is a private for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,508 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $30,027 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,186. Set against $30,027 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Canyon University admits about 79% of applicants. More on Grand Canyon University
American Intercontinental University Online came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Based in Chandler, AZ, American Intercontinental University Online is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,397. Typical Trade student debt is $39,107. Graduates go on to earn a median of $36,144 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $39,107 median debt. See the full American Intercontinental University Online profile
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Based in Prescott, AZ, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,974. The median Trade program debt is $24,707. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott alumni report median earnings of $84,131 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,707 median debt. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott admits about 77% of applicants. Read more about Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott
Western Maricopa Education Center Northwest Campus placed #22 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. Read more about Western Maricopa Education Center Northwest Campus
Xtylo Beauty College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Get the full Xtylo Beauty College report
Arizona Christian University landed the #24 spot for value in Arizona this year. More on Arizona Christian University
Roberto Venn School Of Luthiery came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Roberto Venn School Of Luthiery
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Trade Degree Schools in Arizona
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Brookline College Phoenix ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read more about Brookline College Phoenix
National Paralegal College came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full National Paralegal College profile
Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc placed #28 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. See the full Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona Inc profile
Avalon School Of Cosmetology Phoenix offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Avalon School Of Cosmetology Phoenix report
Gateway Community College Central City placed #30 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. More on Gateway Community College Central City
South Mountain Community College landed the #31 spot for value in Arizona this year. Read more about South Mountain Community College
Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa placed #32 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. Read the full report on Avalon School Of Cosmetology Mesa
Sessions College For Professional Design came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Sessions College For Professional Design profile
Carrington College Phoenix came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full Carrington College Phoenix profile
Aveda Institute Tucson Avondale landed the #35 spot for value in Arizona this year. Read more about Aveda Institute Tucson Avondale
Empire Beauty School Tucson placed #36 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. Read the full report on Empire Beauty School Tucson
Pima Medical Institute Mesa ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Trade schools. Read the full report on Pima Medical Institute Mesa
Devry University Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. See the full Devry University Arizona profile
Paradise Valley Community College landed the #39 spot for value in Arizona this year. Read the full report on Paradise Valley Community College
Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. See the full Chamberlain College Of Nursing Arizona profile
Indian Bible College landed the #41 spot for value in Arizona this year. See the full Indian Bible College profile
Arizona Automotive Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Get the full Arizona Automotive Institute report
East Valley Institute Of Technology placed #43 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. More on East Valley Institute Of Technology
Studio Academy Of Beauty offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. See the full Studio Academy Of Beauty profile
Pima Medical Institute Tucson landed the #45 spot for value in Arizona this year. Get the full Pima Medical Institute Tucson report
Jersey College Mesa came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Jersey College Mesa report
Sonoran Desert Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. See the full Sonoran Desert Institute profile
Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School Arizona Holistic Institute came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pure Aesthetics Natural Skincare School Arizona Holistic Institute profile
Carrington College Tucson placed #49 among the best-value Trade schools in Arizona. More on Carrington College Tucson
Arizona College Of Allied Health came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. See the full Arizona College Of Allied Health profile
More Trade Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 21 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 110 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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