Staff Reports | Community Updates
Maricopa Community Colleges is preparing to confer more than 300 workforce-aligned bachelor’s degrees during its 2026 commencement season, marking the largest graduating class since the programs launched in fall 2023.
The milestone reflects growth across the 10-college system, which continues expanding its bachelor’s degree offerings to meet workforce needs, according to a press release.
“Our bachelor’s degree programs have proven to be a tremendous success, not only because they are affordable and accessible but for the immediate impact our graduates will have right here in our communities,” Maricopa Community Colleges Chancellor Dr. Steven R. Gonzales said. “By keeping tuition low and degrees aligned with Arizona’s high-demand industries, our graduates are securing rewarding careers while also seeing a strong return on their investment in education.”
Programs aligned with workforce demand
Graduates this year will receive degrees from nine of the system’s 11 bachelor’s programs. These include the first cohorts in business administration-management, data analytics and programming, nuclear medicine technology and computed tomography, and registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing.
Additional programs include behavioral sciences, early childhood education and dual language, elementary education and special education, information technology, and public safety administration.
Maricopa Community Colleges officials said tuition will remain unchanged for the fourth consecutive academic year beginning this fall, maintaining a lower-cost pathway to a four-year degree.
Students can earn a bachelor’s degree at about one-third the cost of in-state tuition at Arizona’s three public universities, based on current tuition rates.
Enrollment in bachelor’s degree programs has grown, with nearly 10,000 students currently enrolled across the system.
The district plans to introduce new degree programs annually beginning in fall 2027, with a goal of offering 26 bachelor’s degrees by 2032. Future programs are expected to focus on industries such as healthcare, information technology, finance, construction and artificial intelligence.
