Head-to-head · 2026
University of Arizona vs University of Phoenix-Arizona
Compare average net price ($16,674 at University of Arizona; $13,520 at University of Phoenix-Arizona), ROI score (8.99 vs 6.98), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($59,979 vs $37,752), and admissions context (86.1% at University of Arizona; Open / not reported at University of Phoenix-Arizona) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | University of Arizona | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.99 ✓ | 6.98 |
| Avg net price | $16,674 | $13,520 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,696 | $54,080 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,926 | $9,552 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $42,278 | $9,552 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $59,979 ✓ | $37,752 |
| Acceptance rate | 86.1% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 67.5% ✓ | 20.8% |
| Retention rate | 82.8% ✓ | 40.8% |
| Median debt | $19,620 ✓ | $31,553 |
| Enrollment | 42,537 | 85,991 |
| Ownership | Public | Private For-Profit |
| Avg SAT | 1246 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | University of Arizona | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $13,353 | $12,776 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $14,984 | $13,833 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $16,051 | $14,963 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $19,777 | $17,177 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $22,307 | $19,150 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | University of Arizona | University of Phoenix-Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4% | 41.9% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.4% | 13.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.3% | 5% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.9% | 5.8% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.5% | 5.4% |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 1.5% | 4.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1.6% | 3.5% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.7% | 2.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
University of Phoenix-Arizona reports the lower average net price by $3,154 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,616 difference over four years ($54,080 vs $66,696).
University of Arizona reports $22,227 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($59,979 vs $37,752). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 82.8% at University of Arizona and 40.8% at University of Phoenix-Arizona. Median federal debt among completers is $19,620 vs $31,553, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
University of Arizona vs University of Phoenix-Arizona, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
University of Phoenix-Arizona is cheaper — average net price $13,520 per year vs $16,674 at University of Arizona. The annual difference of $3,154 adds up to about $12,616 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Arizona reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $59,979 vs $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The gap in the federal data is $22,227. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.