
About
Central Arizona College, located in Coolidge, Arizona, was founded in 1961 to provide education to residents of Pinal County. The school is a public two year institution providing service and educational opportunities to over 12,000 students annually. In addition to the Coolidge campus, the school operates the Aravaipa campus in Winkelman and the Superstition Mountain campus in Apache Junction.
The school also operates six education centers providing additional services in its expanded service area. The school prides itself on its quality education and diverse population of students, allowing for intellectual and cultural exchange.
Academics
Central Arizona College provides students a large number of programs that may result in either a degree or certificate. Students may pursue academic transfer of career training opportunities in a field that best suits one's goals. Academic transfer programs allow students to complete the lower division portion of a four year education, typically taking two years to complete. Upon successful completion, students can submit an application for transfer to a four year institution to continue their education and earn a bachelor's degree.
Four year institutions have varying transfer requirements, and it is recommended students meet with an academic advisor to develop a curriculum that best assists in transfer to a student's desired school or schools.
Career programs provide the development of skills and abilities necessary for entry into the workforce as professionals. Through a combination of practical and classroom courses students will develop valuable experience and knowledge useful for seeking employment.
Programs take between one and two years to complete, resulting in a certificate or degree which demonstrates competency and allows graduates to obtain work immediately after graduation. Such are usually reflective of the needs of the community and are often for high demand fields.
Programs offered at CAC include:
Admissions and Financial Aid
CAC is an open enrollment institution allowing any student who submits a completed application and meets the minimum requirements for admission to enroll. Students must provide transcripts from previous schools as well as take a placement exam, which may be waived if standardized test scores are provided. First time students are encouraged to visit student orientation, as well as meet with a guidance counselor to outline a curriculum and discuss goals. Registration for classes takes place prior to the start of each semester and tuition due shortly thereafter.
Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and work study programs. Students in need of financial assistance must submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the information provided from which will be used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Financial aid must be reapplied for prior to the start of each academic year. Students may be asked to provide additional financial information to ensure that the FAFSA is accurate and verified prior to the disbursement of funds. This selection is federally required and the students are selected randomly. Students in need of assistance regarding the application process may make an appointment with a financial aid counselor.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $4,400. In order to calculate a more accurate and detailed cost of attendance check out their cost calculator here. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Tuition estimates per year:
- State Residents: $2,500-$3,000
- Out-of-State: $11,000-$12,890
- Part-time students are charged:
- In-State: $82-$98 per unit
- Out-of-State: $160-$200 per unit
Financial Aid Details
The table below breaks down the types of financial aid, the percent of students receiving aid, and average amount of aid per student per year.
Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
---|---|---|
Any Financial Aid | 75% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 71% | $4,918 |
Receiving Student Loans | 16% | $4,774 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Central Arizona College may offer services like those listed below:
- Online classes
- Night and weekend classes available
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Day care for children
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges offer a variety of career and transfer options for students. The following table shows the graduation and transfer-out rates for this school, versus those community colleges in Arizona, which can be valuable information for determining which school to attend.
Pinal County Community College | Pinal County | Arizona | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 18.3% | - | 14.1% |
Transfer-out Rate | 5.4% | - | 27.9% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
Campus: Central Arizona College
- Dietetic Technician Program
- Accredited by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (since 1978)
- Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) Program
- Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. ? May 6, 2013 Formerly: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (since 1974)
- See a list of all associate's degree in nursing (ADN) programs in Arizona
Campus: Central Arizona College - Superstition Mountain Campus
- Radiology Technician Program
- Accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (since 2010)
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.

Get more information about the programs offered by Central Arizona College by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Agriculture Operations
- Agricultural Business and Management (A)
- Agriculture, Agriculture Operations and Related Sciences (A)
- Equine Studies
- Agricultural Machine Technology
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Business and Marketing Studies
- Commerce (A, C)
- Accounting (A, C)
- Hospitality Administration and Management (A, C)
- Business Administration (C)
Communication Technology
- Audio and Video Production (A, C)
- Prepress , Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design
Communications and Journalism
- Media Studies (A)
- Communications (C)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Information Technology Services Administration and Management (A)
- Computer (C)
- Web Design (C)
- Computer Programming, Specific Applications (C)
- Computer Programming (A, C)
- Computer Software and Media Applications
Construction Trades
- Property Management (C)
- Carpentry (C)
Education
Engineering Technology
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology (A)
- Solar Energy Technology (A, C)
- Engineering Technologies
- Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Nutrition and Wellness Studies (C)
- Child Development (A, C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- Nursing (A)
- Dietetic Technician (A)
- Radiologic Technology (A)
- Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (C)
- Medical Records Administrator (A)
- Medical Laboratory Assistance (C)
- Medical Executive Assistant (A)
- Pharmacy Technician (C)
- Dietetics (C)
- Massage Therapy (A, C)
- Clinical Nutrition (C)
- Ultrasound Technician (A)
- Medical Insurance Biller (C)
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Athletic Training (A)
- Medical Assistant (C)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
- Medical Insurance Coding
- Medical Transcription
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- General Studies (A, C)
- Liberal Arts (A)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
- Diesel Mechanic (A, C)
- Auto Mechanic
Personal and Culinary Services
- Cooking and Related Culinary Arts (A, C)
- Baking And Pastry (C)
Physical Sciences
Precision Production
- Welding (C)
- Upholstery (C)
Public Administration and Social Services
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Parks and Recreation (C)
Science Technology
- Biology Technician, Biotechnology Laboratory Technician (A)
Security and Protective Services
- Criminal Justice (A)
- Fire Prevention (A)
- Fire Science (C)
- Corrections Officer (A)
Transportation and Materials Moving
- Construction, Heavy Equipment Operation (A, C)
- Ground Transportation
Visual and Performing Arts
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (A)
- Music Performance (A)
- Theatre Design and Technology (A)
- Music Technology
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Central Arizona College.
- Chandler - Gilbert Community College in Chandler, AZ (25 miles away)
- South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ (37 miles away)
- Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, AZ (41 miles away)
- Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, AZ (52 miles away)
- Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, AZ (54 miles away)