Understanding the Cost Per Credit Hour at the University of Arizona

Education is a significant investment, and understanding the costs associated with pursuing a degree is crucial. The University of Arizona, like any higher education institution, involves various expenses, with the cost per credit hour being a primary consideration. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the tuition costs at the University of Arizona, including factors influencing these costs, available financial aid options, and resources for estimating expenses.

Tuition and Fees at the University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's tuition and fees structure varies depending on several factors, including residency status (in-state or out-of-state) and the level of study (undergraduate or graduate).

In-State vs. Out-of-State Tuition

For undergraduate students residing in Arizona, the in-state tuition is approximately $11,871 annually. In contrast, out-of-state students face a significantly higher tuition rate, around $39,340 per year.

Additional Expenses

Beyond tuition, students must account for additional expenses such as:

Room and Board: On-campus room and board costs about $14,400 per academic year.
Books and Supplies: These typically amount to $800 annually.
Administrative or Academic Fees: These fees are approximately $1,755 per year.
Other Expenses: Out-of-state students should budget around $4,300 for miscellaneous living expenses.

Combining these costs, the total annual expenses for an in-state student can reach approximately $33,126, while out-of-state students may incur total charges of around $60,595.

University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) Tuition

The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC) offers a different tuition structure, particularly relevant for online degree programs. UAGC understands that earning your online degree is also a financial investment, and understanding your college tuition costs and options to pay for school are important. Your tuition and fees will depend on your degree level and sometimes your field of study. Before you enroll in any degree program, you need to know exactly how much it will cost.

Tuition Reduction Programs

UAGC provides tuition reduction benefits to employees’ qualified domestic partners and dependents through the Domestic Partner Tuition Program (DPTP). This program is available only for courses at the University of Arizona.

Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR)

The Qualified Tuition Reduction (QTR) program offers reduced tuition rates to eligible individuals. For UAGC courses, the following rates apply:

Undergraduate Programs: Tuition is reduced to $3.57 per credit hour.
Master's and Doctoral Programs: Tuition is $4 per credit hour.

These reduced rates significantly lower the overall cost of pursuing a degree through UAGC.

Credit Hour Coverage

The QTR program covers a specific number of credit hours per semester:

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Fall/Spring: 1-9 credit hours.
Summer/Winter: 1-6 credit hours.

Credits exceeding these ranges are charged at the in-state per-credit resident tuition rate.

QTR Application Deadlines

To apply for QTR, employees must submit an application in UAccess during specific timeframes. These deadlines apply to all University of Arizona employees, including those using QTR at ASU, NAU, or University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), regardless of class start dates. Medical school applications are also subject to these dates and deadlines. A separate application is required for each semester or session, except for all summer sessions, which require only one application.

For UAGC courses, an employee must be active on the first day of the semester during which their desired UAGC course occurs, regardless of when it starts, and meet the semester’s QTR application deadline if their desired UAGC course occurs anytime during that semester.

Financial Aid Options

The University of Arizona offers various financial aid options to help students manage the costs of education. Financial aid encompasses any resource that assists with paying for college expenses. When choosing to apply for financial aid, students may apply for loans and grants (if applicable). Student loans are low-interest loans that must be repaid, generally after graduation or when they withdraw from school. Loans are also available to parents of dependent students. Grants and scholarships are types of aid that do not need to be repaid unless, for example, you withdraw from school and financial aid funds must be returned to the Federal Government, or are unable to meet the terms of the grant. Your eligibility for grants and scholarships will always be considered first before any eligible loans, and you're encouraged to accept any grants and scholarships that you are offered.

Grants and Scholarships

Grants and scholarships are forms of aid that do not require repayment. The University of Arizona provides a convenient online process for completing your financial aid. This process includes all required financial aid forms, options for electronically signing your application, and links to complete any additional documents. If you are currently enrolled, you may begin the financial aid application process right away.

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Federal Pell Grants: These grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree and have financial need. When you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), your eligibility for a Pell Grant is automatically determined. The amount a student receives depends on the EFC, cost of attendance, and enrollment status. Pell Grants are limited each award year in amount depending upon Pell Grant program funding and a maximum per student amount and is set by the federal government.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG): An FSEOG is awarded only to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need. Priority is given to students who have received a Federal Pell Grant. Each year a maximum amount that each student may receive in the form of a FSEOG is specified. These grants will be awarded to the neediest and eligible students.

Student Loans

Student loans are low-interest loans that must be repaid, typically after graduation or withdrawal from school.

Federal Direct Loans: There are two main categories of federal Direct Loans, subsidized loans (need based) and unsubsidized loans (non-need based). Students generally begin repaying these low-interest loans six months after graduation or following withdrawal from school. The federal government does not pay interest on the loan. Interest begins to accrue as of the date of the first disbursement of the loan. Loan available to students enrolled at least half-time.
Direct PLUS Loan: A Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a loan borrowed by the parents of the student. Parents are responsible for the interest that begins to accrue as of the date of the first disbursement of the loan. Repayment of a PLUS loan generally begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan and may extend for 10 years; however, parents do have the option of delaying repayment until six months after their dependent student is no longer enrolled at least half-time.
Grad PLUS: PLUS for graduate/professional students allows graduate/professional students to borrow a PLUS loan up to cost of attendance (COA) minus other aid. There is no grace period for a Grad PLUS loan and interest accrues on the loan from the point of disbursement. Repayment begins on the date of the last disbursement of the loan, however, while enrolled in school on at least a half-time basis, you are eligible for an in-school deferment that allows you to postpone payments on your Grad PLUS Loan until you graduate or separate from school.

Additional Grants

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant: This grant is available to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan following the events of September 11, 2001.

Estimating Your Net Price

The net price provides a more realistic estimate of the true cost of attending University of Arizona, once common grants and scholarships have been taken into account. It's important to note that your net price will fluctuate based on factors such as family income, assets and individual financial need.

Net Price Calculator

The University of Arizona provides a Net Price Calculator to help students estimate their individual costs. Know what you can expect with help from the Net Price Calculator. This tool takes the cost of tuition, the price of books, the price of course materials, and estimated fees to produce an estimated program cost for the year. This tool considers factors such as tuition, books, course materials, and fees to estimate the annual program cost.

Average Net Price

The average reported annual net price for University of Arizona for students receiving grants or scholarship aid was $18,144 in 2019/2020.

Paying for College

UAGC offers a variety of payment options and resources to help you pay for college. One obstacle to pursuing a degree may be the cost.

Payment Options

UAGC offers various payment options and resources to help students manage college expenses. These include:

Financial aid plans through the Federal Pell, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), or the Direct Lending program (Subsidized loans for undergraduate students only, Unsubsidized loans, and Federal PLUS loans).
Payment plans to spread tuition costs over manageable installments.

Responsible Borrowing

The University of Arizona Global Campus encourages its students to borrow responsibly. When reviewing the costs of attendance budgets, students are strongly encouraged to borrow only what they need.

Online Degree Programs and Costs

Many institutions, including the University of Arizona, offer online programs that may have different tuition prices.

Cheapest Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA

Finding the "cheapest" online colleges that accept FAFSA can be a daunting task. Utilizing our career planning and education expertise, we wrote this guide to cut through the noise by providing reliable information and empowering you to make informed decisions. We'll delve into key factors like tuition rates, financial aid opportunities, and program quality to help you identify the most affordable and suitable online education options for your unique circumstances.

Key Things You Should Know About the Cheapest Online Colleges That Accept FAFSA

An online degree from colleges that accept FAFSA helps you financially and reduces payable student loan debt as FAFSA aid is free and can help you get jobs in various career paths. Because quick degrees focus on the practical aspects of a profession, graduates may have a less steep learning curve when they start working. Online degree programs help you save money on on-campus fees, room and board, transportation, and especially time as you study while you work full-time. Federal grant aid can cover tuition and fees for quick degrees that pay well. With a degree from colleges that accept FAFSA, you can make a median annual salary of at least $50,000 to more than $70,000 for higher positions.

Affordable Quick Online Degree Programs

Many affordable quick online degree programs with high acceptance rates exist, including:

Business Administration
Psychology
Counseling
Social Work
Speech Language Pathology
Nursing
Accounting
Computer Science
Healthcare Administration
Marketing

These programs offer flexibility and accessibility, making them a cost-effective choice for many students.

Examples of Affordable Online Colleges

Several universities offer affordable online programs that accept FAFSA:

Grand Canyon University (GCU): Located in Phoenix, Arizona, GCU offers a wide range of online degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. Tuition Cost: Approximately $18,000 annually (same for in-state and out-of-state students).
American Public University (APU): APU offers over 200 online degree and certificate programs designed for working professionals. Tuition Cost: Approximately $285 per credit hour for undergraduate programs; military personnel pay reduced rates.
Purdue Global University: Purdue Global offers a variety of affordable online degree programs designed for flexibility and accessibility. Tuition Cost: Around $371 per credit for undergraduates (in-state and out-of-state).
Arizona State University (ASU): ASU Online offers over 300 programs across undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels, emphasizing flexibility and accessibility. In-State: Approximately $561 per credit hour for undergraduate students.
Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU): ENMU offers a variety of affordable online degree programs designed for flexibility and accessibility. Tuition Cost: In-State: $170 per credit hour; Out-of-State: $255 per credit hour.

Additional Resources and Considerations

Tuition Calculator

Use the Bursar Office’s Tuition Calculator to calculate total tuition before and after applying QTR. Note: QTR only applies to tuition; it does not apply to housing, books, or other fees.

Residency and Tuition

If you’re an Arizona resident, your tuition will be capped at 11 credit hours each semester, meaning your tuition will not increase with any additional credits you take.

Connect with a Financial Aid Expert

ASU has a team of support available to help you navigate the complexities of paying for college.

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