Staff Reports | Community Updates
Enrollment at the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges is on pace to reach 110,000 students, marking a 15% increase over last year and the largest year-over-year growth in recent memory.
Of these students, 52% are the first in their families to attend college, continuing the system’s tradition of opening doors to higher education for all, according to a press release.
“We are incredibly proud to welcome a record-breaking class this fall,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges chancellor. “These numbers are a testament to the role we play as Arizona’s most accessible, affordable, and local higher education provider.”
More than 90% of students enrolled at Maricopa Community Colleges are Arizona residents, making the system the top choice for in-state students, according to a press release.
This fall, nearly 91% of the students call Arizona home, representing a double-digit percentage increase over last year’s fall enrollment. In 2024, the colleges educated more than 125,000 Arizonans, surpassing the combined in-state enrollment of all three public universities. As Arizona’s largest higher education provider, the 10-college system is the state’s most significant talent pipeline, preparing graduates to power the local workforce and economy.
Only two years after launching its first baccalaureate degree programs, Maricopa Community Colleges now offers 11 bachelor’s degrees. This fall, enrollment in these programs has nearly doubled, with nearly 7,500 students pursuing four-year degrees across the system. Three new programs debut this semester, further expanding pathways for students to advance their education and careers.
At just $97 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $145.50 for upper-division courses, these degrees offer substantial savings—up to $40,000 compared to tuition at Arizona’s public universities—making the system the Valley’s most affordable bachelor’s degree.
Over half of the students enrolled are the first in their families to attend college. In addition to being the most affordable pathway to a better future,
“Our students are the future leaders, innovators, and professionals who will shape Arizona’s growth,” added Dr. Gonzales. “We are proud to serve them and to continue building a stronger, more vibrant state.”
