Central Arizona College vs. Pima Community College

Comparable Facts

Compare Central Arizona College in Coolidge, AZ with Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Pima Community College is larger than Central Arizona College based on total student enrollment (16,283 students vs. 5,053 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Central Arizona College is located in Coolidge, AZ (Distant Rural setting); Pima Community College is in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting).
• Central Arizona College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Pima Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Central Arizona College 15:1; Pima Community College 18:1.

Central Arizona College vs. Pima Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Central Arizona College or Pima Community College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Pima Community College than Central Arizona College ($3,670 vs. $5,544).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Central Arizona College are 23.9% lower than at Pima Community College ($8,786 vs. $11,542).
• Pima Community College is 8.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Central Arizona College (about $192 more per year; $2,442.00 vs. $2,250.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.4% higher at Pima Community College than at Central Arizona College (about $3,258 more per year; $7,758.00 vs. $4,500.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Central Arizona College than at Pima Community College (74% vs. 66%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pima Community College students is 16.7% larger than aid received by Central Arizona College students ($6,216 vs. $5,325).

Central Arizona College vs. Pima Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Central Arizona College or Pima Community College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Pima Community College and Central Arizona College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Central Arizona College - Open admission; Pima Community College - Open admission.

Central Arizona College vs. Pima Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Central Arizona College and Pima Community College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Pima Community College earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Central Arizona College graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,600 vs. $31,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have a $2,750 lower median loan debt than Central Arizona College graduates ($6,750 vs. $9,500).
• Among borrowers, Pima Community College graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Central Arizona College graduates ($69 vs. $98).
• More Pima Community College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Central Arizona College students, three years after graduation. (33% vs. 26%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.