Exploring Colleges in Scottsdale, Arizona: A Comprehensive Guide

Scottsdale, Arizona, and its surrounding areas, offer a diverse range of higher education opportunities. From community colleges to universities, students can find institutions catering to various academic and career goals. This article provides an overview of colleges in and near Scottsdale, Arizona, including Scottsdale Community College and other institutions, along with information on tuition, programs, and job market prospects.

Scottsdale Community College (SCC)

Scottsdale Community College is a public community college located just outside of Scottsdale, Arizona. It is situated on the city's eastern boundary, occupying 160 acres (650,000 m2) of land leased from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. The lease was established in 1970 and is set to expire in 2069. SCC stands out as the nation's only public community college located on tribal land.

History and Development

Planning for Scottsdale Community College began in 1967. In November 1968, the MCCCD governing board allocated $5 million for the construction of the campus. SCC initiated its programs by holding night classes at Scottsdale High School in the fall of 1969. On September 21, 1969, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and the Bureau of Indian Affairs leased 160 acres of land at Chaparral and Pima Roads for 99 years.

The college held its first classes at its permanent location in August 1970. Initially, temporary wooden barracks served as classroom space while the campus was under construction. Phoenix architects Drover, Welch & Lindlan designed the campus, and construction took place between 1970 and 1972.

Academic Programs and Facilities

SCC offers degrees and certificates in 99 different fields. Popular programs include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and General Business Administration and Management.

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The college established its nursing program in 1974 and received full accreditation in 1975. In 1977, the performing arts center, designed by Phoenix architects Guirey, Srnka Arnold & Sprinkle, opened. A new music building was added in 1980. The school's Culinary Arts Program Restaurant and the Community Garden both opened in 1982. Ground was broken for the Social Behavioral Science Building on April 1, 1986. The Applied Sciences Building, designed by local architect Doug Sydnor, opened in 1998 and houses The Artichoke Grill. The school's library was built in the early 1970s and renovated in 2015.

SCC also hosts NAU-Scottsdale, which offers several undergraduate programs, as well as the SCC2NAU program.

Student Body and Faculty

By 1990, SCC's student population had grown to 10,000, a significant increase from 1,000 in 1970. As of Fall 2022, the full-time enrollment was 2,013, and the part-time enrollment was 5,621. The student-faculty ratio is 15-to-1.

Tuition and Financial Aid

In 2020-2021, the in-state tuition and fees were $2,070, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $7,854. There is no application fee. At Scottsdale Community College, 26 percent of undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, and the average scholarship or grant award is $3,218.

Campus Life and Services

Scottsdale Community College's campus is located in a rural area. The school utilizes a semester-based academic year. SCC has an open admissions policy and offers credit for life experiences. The college provides employment services, academic/career counseling, and placement services for completers.

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Other Colleges and Universities Near Scottsdale

Besides Scottsdale Community College, several other colleges and universities serve the Scottsdale area. These institutions offer a wide range of programs and degrees, catering to different academic interests and career aspirations.

Four-Year Private Colleges and Universities

Several four-year private colleges and universities are located near Scottsdale, with a total undergraduate enrollment of approximately 79,119 students. Some notable institutions include:

Franklin University: A top choice for transfer students, online learners, and adults balancing school with busy lives. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
Argosy University-Phoenix: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine & Acupuncture: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Ottawa University-Phoenix: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Arizona Christian University: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
The School of Architecture: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Chamberlain University-Arizona: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
DeVry University-Arizona: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Sonoran University of Health Sciences: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Phoenix Seminary: Master's degrees are the most popular.
Grand Canyon University: Bachelor's and Master's degrees are the most popular.

Four-Year Public Colleges and Universities

Several four-year public colleges are located near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Arizona State University Campus Immersion: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
Arizona State University Digital Immersion: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.

Other Institutions

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts-Scottsdale: Associate degrees are the most popular.
Brookline College-Phoenix: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
Midwestern University-Glendale: Doctoral degrees are the most popular.
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
Pathways College: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.
The Art Institute of Phoenix: Bachelor's degrees are the most popular.

Degree Completions

In 2024, students completed a significant number of degrees at colleges and universities near Scottsdale. The distribution of degrees varied among institutions, with some specializing in specific fields. For instance:

Bachelor's Degrees: A large number of bachelor's degrees were completed at institutions like Arizona State University Campus Immersion (14,769) and Arizona State University Digital Immersion (8,941).
Master's Degrees: Several institutions, such as Grand Canyon University (12,154) and Arizona State University Digital Immersion (7,072), awarded a substantial number of master's degrees.
Doctoral Degrees: Midwestern University-Glendale (808) was a significant contributor to the number of doctoral degrees awarded.

Cost of Education

The average cost of tuition at nonprofit schools near Scottsdale is $15,949. However, tuition and fees vary significantly among institutions. For example, Scottsdale Community College's in-state tuition and fees for 2020-2021 were $2,070, while out-of-state tuition and fees were $7,854.

Accreditation

Accreditation is an important factor to consider when choosing a college or university. It ensures that the institution meets certain quality standards. There are several institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Scottsdale, Arizona.

Job Market Outlook in Scottsdale, Arizona

The Scottsdale, Arizona, job market is robust, offering numerous opportunities for college graduates. In 2024, there were approximately 3,185,924 jobs in the Scottsdale area. From 2023 to 2024, job growth in Scottsdale was above the national average, at 2.5%. There were 418,821 job openings in the area.

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