
Mesa Community College (MCC) is a two-year college located in Mesa, Arizona, which is located in the East Valley area of Phoenix, Arizona. It is one of 10 colleges that make up the Maricopa Community College District in the Phoenix metropolitan area. MCC offers numerous programs of study for associate's degrees, transfer to four-year universities for completion of bachelor's degrees, career training and service. Its Center for Teaching and Learning provides faculty with opportunities to improve classroom instruction and develop professionally.
History
Mesa Community College was founded as Phoenix Junior College in 1920. It had 15 enrolled students in its first year. In 1960, countywide junior college districts were established, and in 1962, Arizona voters created the Maricopa County Junior College District. The three original extensions of this junior college district held classes in church buildings around Phoenix. In 1966, a 160-acre campus for the recently renamed Mesa Community College was opened at Southern and Dobson roads. Enrollment increased significantly, and the school continued to grow and develop its curriculum and programs.
Academics
The academic calendar for Mesa Community College follows the semester system with fall and spring semesters and a summer session.
Colleges and Schools
Mesa Community College divides its academic units into Academic Departments, rather than into colleges and schools. The Academic Departments for Mesa Community College are:
- Administration of Justice
- Applied Sciences and Technology
- Art & Photography
- Business and Information Systems
- Communication, Theatre Arts and Film
- Counseling
- Cultural Sciences
- Education Studies
- English
- Exercise Science
- Fire Science/EMT
- Life Science
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Music
- Nursing
- Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Physical Sciences
- Psychological Science
- Reading
- Social Science
- World Languages
Student Life
Students at Mesa Community College have many opportunities to get involved on campus. There are programs for community services and leadership, as well as many student clubs and organizations that foster the development of interpersonal skills. Groups and activities on campus include student government, Phi Theta Kappa, Chicano de Aztlan, an Amateur Radio Club, the American Society of Interior Designers, a Biotechnology Club, music ensembles, an award-winning student-run newspaper, and intramural athletics, among others. Students may also elect to form their own club or organization.
Athletics
The "Thunderbirds" athletics program at Mesa Community College competes in most intercollegiate major team sports for men and women, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cheer and Spirit Line
- Cross Country
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Tennis
- Track and Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cheer and Spirit Line
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
Satellite Campuses
Mesa Community College has two primary campuses - MCC at Southern and Dobson and MCC at Red Mountain. It also has learning sites at its Downtown Center, Banner Boswell Center, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Center. MCC also offers Internet courses through its MCC eLearning branch for distance learning.
Community Life
MCC is committed to serving the community through active partnerships with community businesses and organizations. MCC partners with the City of Mesa and the United Way, among others. It also sponsors an organization of local community leaders and school administrators called the Commission on Excellence in Education.
The Mesa-East Valley Rose Society maintains the MCC Rose Garden and includes many community members. Several community service programs are offered through MCC including New Frontiers for older adults, and the Water Watchers Drowning Awareness Program. MCC's annual "Artwalk - Art on Campus" program showcases the work of both student and community artists.
MCC has an active alumni association that encourages alumni to stay connected with the college and involved with its community initiatives.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $8,100. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition estimates are:
- State Residents: $2,000-$2,400
- Out-of-State: $7,800-$9,360
- Charges per unit:
- In-State: $84-$100 per unit
- Out-of-State: $330-$390 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 | 69% | - |
Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 61% | $4,178 |
Receiving Student Loans | 19% | $3,531 |
Admissions, Academics, & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and recent graduates, Mesa Community College may provide student services including:
- Distance learning
- Classes offered on nights and weekends
- Remedial instructional courses
- Career path counseling
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- Child care
Graduation & Transfer Rates
Community colleges often times offer both career training courses and curriculum to help students transfer out to a 4-year college or university, that is why we include how this school compares for both graduation and transfer rates against other community colleges in Maricopa County and community colleges in Arizona in total.
Mesa Community College | Maricopa County | Arizona | |
---|---|---|---|
Graduation Rate | 12.5% | 14.2% | 14.1% |
Transfer-out Rate | 29.9% | 35.6% | 27.9% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Dental Assistant Program
- Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (since 2004)
- Dental Hygienist Program
- Accredited by the American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation (since 2005)
- Funeral Service Education Program
- Accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education, Committee on Accreditation (since 1997)
- 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 1966)
- Find all the other nursing programs in Arizona
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 Mesa Community 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
- Applied Horticulture, Horticultural Business Services (A)
- Landscaping (C)
Business and Marketing Studies
- Business Administration (A, C)
- Commerce (A, C)
- Real Estate (C)
- Fashion Merchandising (A)
- Organizational Behavior Studies (A)
- Merchandising and Buying Operations (C)
- Advertising and Marketing (C)
- Sales Manager (C)
- Administrative Assistant
- Entrepreneurship
- Small Business Management
- International Business
Communication Technology
- Audio and Video Production (A, C)
- Prepress , Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (C)
Communications and Journalism
- Communication and Journalism (C)
- Public Relations (A)
- Journalism
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Networking (A, C)
- Computer Support Specialist (C)
- Web Design (A, C)
- Computer (A)
- Computer Programming (C)
- Computer Systems Analyst (A)
- Computer Graphics (C)
Construction Trades
Education
- Elementary Education (A)
- Early Childhood Education (C)
- Bilingual and Multilingual Education (C)
- Educational Leadership and Administration (A)
- Curriculum and Instruction
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels
- ESL
- Teacher Assistant (TA)
Engineering
Engineering Technology
- Cad Drafting (C)
- Electrical and Communications Engineering Technology (A, C)
- Architectural Drafting cad (A, C)
- Manufacturing Engineering Technician (A)
- Drafting and Design Engineering Technologies (A, C)
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) (C)
- Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting cad (C)
- Electromechanical Engineering and Technology
English Language and Literature
- Creative Writing (C)
- Writing, General
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Child Care (C)
- Apparel and Textile Manufacture (C)
- Child Development (A)
- Foodservice Administration and Management (A, C)
- Apparel and Textiles (C)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies and Services (C)
- Spanish Language and Literature (C)
Health and Clinical Professions
- EMT & Paramedic (A, C)
- Nursing (A, C)
- Nursing Assistant (C)
- Veterinary Assistant (A)
- Dental Hygienist (A)
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (C)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Natural Sciences (C)
Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Liberal Arts (A, C)
- General Studies (A)
Library Science
- Library Assistant (A, C)
Mechanic and Repair Technology
Natural Resources and Conservation
Personal and Culinary Services
Physical Sciences
- Physical Sciences (A)
Precision Production
- Welding (A, C)
- Machinist (A, C)
- Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) (C)
Recreation and Fitness Studies
- Kinesiology And Exercise Science (A, C)
- Sports Medicine (C)
- Parks and Recreation
Science Technology
- Biology Technician, Biotechnology Laboratory Technician (C)
Security and Protective Services
- Fire Science (C)
- Criminal Justice (A, C)
- Police Science (A, C)
- Forensic Science (C)
- Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, and Firefighting (C)
Social Sciences
Transportation and Materials Moving
- Construction, Heavy Equipment Operation (A)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Art Studies (C)
- Design and Visual Communications (A, C)
- Interior Design (A, C)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (A)
- Graphic Design (C)
- Fashion Design (C)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (A)
- Music Management (A)
- Visual and Performing Arts (A)
- Music Pedagogy (C)
- Music Theory and Composition
- Music Technology
Other Community Colleges Nearby
The list of nearby schools has been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to Mesa Community College.
- Scottsdale Community College in Scottsdale, AZ (8 miles away)
- Chandler - Gilbert Community College in Chandler, AZ (8 miles away)
- GateWay Community College - Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ (8 miles away)
- South Mountain Community College in Phoenix, AZ (9 miles away)
- Phoenix College in Phoenix, AZ (14 miles away)