RIO SALADO COLLEGE
- 2323 W 14th St
- Tempe, AZ 85281
- OPEID College Code: 02177500
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- General Phone: (480) 517-8000
- President: Linda Thor
- Type: Public, 2-Year
- Calendar System: Semester
- Highest Degree: Associate's
- Local Area: Rural Fringe
- Student Enrollment: 20,865
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*Not all of the programs above may be offered
Rio Salado College is a community college that serves more than 60,000 students. Rio Salado is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa Community College District. The other community colleges in the district are Chandler-Gilbert, Estrella Mountain, GateWay, Glendale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Scottsdale and South Mountain.
It offers online courses as well as campus courses at 11 locations in the Tempe, Arizona area. Programs at Rio Salado offer many choices, easy access, flexibility and affordability. The college also operates three radio stations and a radio reading services for the visually impaired.
Rio Salado College programs are popular with working adults, thanks in part to the support services available to online students 24/7. Rio Salado is also popular with new college students who have just finished high school, and adults who are re-entering college or seeking lifelong learning. Rio Salado offers many learning options including field based, hybrid, onsite, independent study, online, mixed media, print based, private instruction and more. Courses are available during the days and evenings, as well as weekends. Online start dates occur 48 times throughout the year.
Rio Salado offers 37 academic associate degrees, as well as transfer study programs for students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions to complete a bachelor's degree. Rio Salado also offers Certificates of Completion or Competency for many professional programs. Online courses are taught using the RioLearn learning management system.
Rio Salado College is considered a "Military Friendly School" by G.I. Jobs Magazine. Rio Salado is also considered a "Top 10 Digital Savvy College" in the U.S. by the Center for Digital Education and Converge magazine.
History
Rio Salado College was established in 1978 by the Maricopa County Community College District. Rio Salado had 8,000 students enrolled when it first opened, and 78 classrooms. That same year it established its distance learning program. In 1979, Rio Salad offered classes at Luke Air Force Base, and later developed an accelerated program for military students. In 1980, Rio Salado offered the first telephone registration in Arizona. In 1986, The "Rio Main" property was purchased. In 1987, Rio Salado established the Concurrent Enrollment program that allows high-achieving high school students to receive college credit for their academic work. Rio Salado recently celebrated 30 years of Learning, Innovating and Partnering.
Academics
Although Rio Salado College's academic calendar follows a semester format, the College has many open enrollment programs that allow a student to start a course or program at many times throughout the year for optimum flexibility. Students must select the starting "term" or semester of their choice when enrolling in their program.
Colleges and Schools
The academic units at Rio Salado College are divided into programs. There are more than 700 academic programs at Rio Salado.
Student Life
Student services at Rio Salado College include:
- Graduation & Career Services
- Computer Labs
- Counseling
- Disability Resources & Services
- East Valley Veterans Education Center
- Helpdesks & Additional Assistance
- Honors Program/Phi Theta Kappa
- International Students
- Library
- Online Career & Job Preparation Center
- Testing
- Tutoring
- Veteran Affairs
Rio Salado College participates in events and specialty programs every year that benefit the community. Community outreach programs at Rio Salado include:
- Excellence in Education - KEZ 99.9FM
- KISS a Hero - KISS 104.7FM
- Spotlight on Success - MIX 96.9FM
- Valley Vibe - Latino Vibe 95.1FM
Rio Salado staff members attend several career and education fairs throughout the year to get the word out on how the college delivers education in new and innovative ways.
Athletics
No varsity sports are available at Rio Salado College at this time.
Satellite Campuses
In addition to its "Rio Main" Campus on West 14th Street in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado has online programs and six satellite learning centers:
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Rio Salado
Lifelong Learning Center
12535 Smokey Dr.
Surprise, AZ 85378 -
Rio Salado
Rio @ Surprise (Communiversity)
15950 N. Civic Center Plaza
Surprise, AZ 85374 -
Rio Salado
Rio East Valley
1455 S. Stapley Dr.
Suite 15
Mesa, AZ 85204 -
Rio Salado
Rio Salado @ Northern
1715 West Northern Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85021 -
Rio Salado
Rio West Valley - Luke AFB
7383 North Litchfield Road
Glendale, AZ 85309 -
Rio Salado
RSC @ Avondale
420 North Central Avenue
Avondale, AZ 85323
Community Life
Rio Salado provides learning opportunities to local, national and international communities, through its variety of online, hybrid, mixed media and onsite learning options. For more than 30 years, Rio Salado has been creating programs and developing partnerships with educational institutions, governmental agencies, corporations and other organizations to benefit its students.
- Student Services
- Remedial Services Offered
- Academic or Career Counseling Services Offered
- Employment Services Offered
- Placement Services For Graduates Offered
- Special Learning Opportunities
- Distance Learning Opportunities
- Study Abroad Opportunities
- Weekend / Evening Classes Available
- Teaching K-12 Certification Offered Must Complete Preparation at Another Institution Can Complete Preparation With Specialization State Approved for Certification
- Website
- www.riosalado.edu
- Mission Statement
- As an institution of higher education placing high value on student learning, Rio Salado College creates convenient, high-quality learning opportunities for diverse populations. We specalize in customized, unique programs and partnerships, accelerated formats and distance delivery. In all that we do, we pursue continuous improvement and innovation, and we challenge the limits of tradition.
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, The Higher Learning Commission
- Facilities and Programs Offered
- Library Available
- College Carnegie Classifications
- Basic Classification Associates--Public Urban-Serving Multicampus
- Undergraduate Classification Associates
- Undergraduate Profile Classification Higher Part-Time Two-Year
- Enrollment Classification Exclusively Undergraduate Two-Year
- Size Classification Large Two-Year
- Chandler - Gilbert Community College (CGCC)
Chandler, AZ 85225
13 Miles Away - Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC)
Avondale, AZ 85323
22 Miles Away
- Gateway Community College
Phoenix, AZ 85034
3 Miles Away - Glendale Community College (GCC)
Glendale, AZ 85302
16 Miles Away
- Maricopa Skill Center
Phoenix, AZ 85034
5 Miles Away - Mesa Community College (MCC)
Mesa, AZ 85202
6 Miles Away
- Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC)
Phoenix, AZ 85032
17 Miles Away - Phoenix College (PC)
Phoenix, AZ 85013
8 Miles Away
- Scottsdale Community College (SCC)
Scottsdale, AZ 85256
8 Miles Away - South Mountain Community College (SMCC)
Phoenix, AZ 85040
4 Miles Away
- Southwest Skill Center - Campus of Estrella Mountain Community College
Avondale, AZ 85323
22 Miles Away
Swift & Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College Dental Clinic
Carla Dasher
All-Arizona Academic Team
Excellence in Education_January 2011 Winner
Rio Salado College Dental Program
Rio Salado College Conference Center
Rio Salado College Conference Center
Rio Salado College Students In the Classroom
Give Kids a Smile 069
- Follow @RioSaladoOnline on
- College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credit
- AP Credit
- Applicant Considerations
- Open Admission Policy Accepts Any Student Who Applies
- Financial Aid Links and Information
- Percent of Students Receiving Financial Aid: 53%
| Loan | Federal Grant | State/Local Grant | Institutional Grant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (%) of Students Receiving | 37% | 39% | 2% | 1% |
| Avg Amount Receiving | $6,173 | $3,509 | $583 | $2,160 |
| 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Default Rate (%) | 12.7% | 11.1% | 10.0% |
| Number in Default | 210 | 187 | 170 |
| Number in Repayment | 1,641 | 1,679 | 1,687 |
| 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition, Fees and Other Expenses | |||
| In-District Tuition and Fees | $1,734 | $1,734 | $1,590 |
| In-State Tuition and Fees | $1,734 | $1,734 | $1,590 |
| Out of State Tuition and Fees | $7,518 | $6,894 | $6,750 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 | $1,136 | $1,104 |
| Housing Expenses | |||
| Off Campus | |||
| Room and Board | $8,352 | $7,902 | $7,668 |
| Other Expenses | $5,544 | $5,238 | $5,076 |
| Off Campus with Family | |||
| Other Expenses | $5,544 | $5,238 | $5,076 |
| Total Expenses | |||
| On Campus | |||
| In-District | $2,934 | $2,870 | $2,694 |
| In-State | $2,934 | $2,870 | $2,694 |
| Out of State | $8,718 | $8,030 | $7,854 |
| Off Campus | |||
| In-District | $16,830 | $16,010 | $15,438 |
| In-State | $16,830 | $16,010 | $15,438 |
| Out of State | $22,614 | $21,170 | $20,598 |
| Off Campus with Family | |||
| In-District | $8,478 | $8,108 | $7,770 |
| In-State | $8,478 | $8,108 | $7,770 |
| Out of State | $14,262 | $13,268 | $12,930 |
- Overall Student Enrollment
- Total Student Enrollment: 20,865 Undergraduate: 20,865
- Student Gender
- Total Student Gender Male: 7,292 Female: 13,573
- Undergraduate Gender Male: 7,292 Female: 13,573
- Student Attendance
- Total Student Attendance Full-Time: 2,395 Part-Time: 18,470
- Undergraduate Attendance Full-Time: 2,395 Part-Time: 18,470
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Resident Alien | 53 | 0.3% |
| American Indian | 343 | 2% |
| Black | 1,534 | 7% |
| Asian | 792 | 4% |
| Hispanic | 2,776 | 13% |
| White | 13,006 | 62% |
| Unknown | 2,361 | 11% |
| Number | Percent | |
|---|---|---|
| Age Under 18 | 6,101 | 29% |
| Ages 18-19 | 1,015 | 5% |
| Ages 20-21 | 1,386 | 7% |
| Ages 22-24 | 2,191 | 11% |
| Ages 25-29 | 3,107 | 15% |
| Ages 30-34 | 2,309 | 11% |
| Ages 35-39 | 1,690 | 8% |
| Ages 40-49 | 2,080 | 10% |
| Ages 50-65 | 911 | 4% |
| Age Over 65 | 45 | 0.2% |
| Age Unknown | 30 | 0.1% |
| Total | Full-Time | Part-Time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Employees | 1,082 | 420 | 662 |
| Faculty Status | 658 | 23 | 635 |
| Instruction, Research and/or Public Service | 658 | 23 | 635 |
| Primarily Instruction | 658 | 23 | 635 |
| Executive, Administrative and/or Managerial | 71 | 70 | 1 |
| Other Professionals | 108 | 96 | 12 |
| Technical and/or Paraprofessional | 245 | 231 | 14 |
| Clerical And Secretarial | 165 | 153 | 12 |
| Service and/or Maintenance | 6 | 6 | - |
| Total | Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/10 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $77,792 (23) | $80,617 (5) | $77,007 (18) |
| Equated 9 Month Contract | |||
| All Faculty | $77,792 (23) | $80,617 (5) | $77,007 (18) |
- Retention Rates
- Full-Time Entering Students Retained: 51%
- Part-Time Entering Students Retained: 18%
| (%) of Entering Class | |
|---|---|
| Overall | |
| All Students | 48% |
| By Gender | |
| Male | 52% |
| Female | 40% |
| By Race | |
| Black | 67% |
| Hispanic | 46% |
| White | 50% |
| Unknown | - |
| 2007-08 | 2006-07 | |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Offenses | ||
| On Campus | ||
| Burglary | - | 1 |
- Reviewed on: February 11, 2011
Flag Review - Rating:
- I give Rio 1 cap if that, they have done nothing but provide me with problems... advisement, these individuals need educating on the programs, what is necessary, I could go on, and financial aid what a joke............. I am out of there...
