Business Schools in Arizona
The archetypal Southwestern state, Arizona, is a land of enormous contrasts. Best known as a place with a desert climate, southern Arizona’s hot, dry weather has made it a retirement mecca in the last few decades. However, the north of the state gets cold enough to offer ski resorts. It is also home to some of the most beautiful scenery globally, including the breathtaking Grand Canyon. Its capital and largest city, Phoenix, has seen booming growth in recent years, due in part to its 300 days of sunshine per year.
Relative to its above-median state population of over 7 million people, the 14th highest in the US, Arizona has very few colleges. Statistics from the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) show only 15 public and non-profit schools that grant undergraduate and graduate business degrees in the state.1 Focusing only on accredited schools reduces these numbers further: there are just five accredited undergraduate schools and only five at the graduate level. Despite narrowing down your options, accreditation is essential to look for when searching for a college. It ensures that the school you select defines its programs and produces quality outcomes while adhering to national and international standards. Accredited business schools also typically offer a richer educational experience via interaction with real-world businesses.
The Association has accredited all the schools in this article to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE). They are all public or non-profit and regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
This article contains all the essential data you need to help you choose the business school in Arizona that best suits your unique needs based on various key factors, including tuition costs, financial aid availability, entrance exam scores, acceptance rates, and more. The three sections that follow describe undergraduate programs, graduate schools, and job prospects for Arizona’s business school graduates.
Best Business Schools in Arizona
Following are the best business schools in Arizona according to US News & World Report data:
- Arizona State University – #33 in Best Business Schools, #11 in Management Information Systems, #113 in Top National Universities, #119 in Best Value Schools, #1 in Most Innovative Schools, #2 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, #6 in Best Online MBA Programs, #6 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
- University of Arizona – #52 in Best Business Schools, #3 in Graduate Information Systems, #106 in Top National Universities, #46 in Top Public Schools, #97 in Best Value Schools, #55 in Bachelor of Management Information Systems, #21 in Best Online MBA Programs, #29 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
- Northern Arizona University – #99 in Best Business Schools, #230 in Top National Universities, #195 in Best High School Counselor Rankings, #58 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs, #78 in Best Online Graduate Business Programs
Undergraduate Business Schools in Arizona
Arizona is another good state for those on a budget. Four of the five schools offering undergraduate business degrees in Arizona have nearly the same tuition costs, ranging from the least expensive, Arizona State University at $10,370, to the second most expensive in the state, the University of Arizona at $11,769. The fifth school, Grand Canyon University, is a little above these figures, but not by much: $17,050. The overall average cost is $12,127. Average financial aid for the five schools is $8,000.1
We have acceptance rate data for two of our schools, which are nearly the same: 78% for Northern Arizona University and 79% for the University of Arizona. These same schools provided us with their graduation rates, 53%, and 60%, respectively.1
The table below shows you all the essential data you need about undergraduate business schools in Arizona, including annual in-state tuition costs, average aid per student, acceptance rates, SAT and ACT score ranges of accepted students, and graduation rates. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Aid | Accept. Rate | Grad. Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | $10,370 | $10,621 | ||
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix | $17,050 | $7,913 | ||
| Northcentral University | Prescott Valley | $10,680 | $3,543 | ||
| Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | $10,764 | $8,524 | 78% | 53% |
| University of Arizona | Tucson | $11,769 | $9,400 | 79% | 60% |
Graduate Business Schools in Arizona
As with the above undergraduate schools, there are only five options for the graduate study of business in Arizona. At $70,000, the most expensive is the Thunderbird School of Management in Glendale; Arizona State University and the University of Arizona are also on the high side, at around $53,000 each. The economy option is Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, which costs just $18,000. (We don’t have a tuition figure for Northern Arizona University Yuma.) GMAT figures for the four schools for which we have data range from 568 to 625.2,3,4
There are two accredited online MBA programs in Arizona that may be worth looking into for those already in the workforce. Arizona State University offers a customizable online MBA that starts twice per year, with options for dual degree programs combining business with law or engineering. The University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management offers an online MBA with the flexibility of five start date options and concentrations in finance, management and organizations, management information systems, and marketing.
Popular graduate programs in Arizona: Masters in Accounting Degree | Master of Science in Management | Master’s in Business Administration
The table below shows graduate business school tuition costs, average accepted applicant GMAT scores, the percentage of faculty with a doctorate, and student-to-faculty ratios. Click any column header to sort the table based on its contents.
| School | City | Tuition | Avg. GMAT | Faculty with Doct. Degree | Student/ Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | $53,248 | 594 | 90% | 1.96 |
| Northern Arizona University | Flagstaff | $17,977 | 568 | 62% | 0.57 |
| Thunderbird School of Management | Glendale | $70,000 | 625 | 99% | 7.97 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson | $53,602 | 612 | 88% | 2.35 |
Job Outlook for Business School Graduates in Arizona
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data predicts total growth of at least 5% in 32 of 37 business and management occupations across the US between 2016 and 2026.5 The highest growth should be for market analysts and marketing specialists, at 22.8% over ten years, with financial managers coming in second at 18.7%.5,6
Arizona’s economy has generally tracked that of the nation for the last ten years or so. Its unemployment rate currently sits at 4.7%, which is historically low but above the US average of 4% at writing. About 232,000 people were employed in the business and management sector in Arizona in 2016.6 The largest subgroup, by far, was general and operations managers at 50,370 employed, with accountants and auditors a distant second at 19,300.5,6
Other Popular Articles: Accounting Schools in Arizona | MBA Programs in Arizona
According to BLS data, Arizona ranked in the middle of the pack at 32nd among the 50 states and the District of Columbia for overall average annual wage across all occupations in 2016: $53,558 compared to a national average of $57,617.5 Business and management occupations had a weighted average annual salary of around $88,000 that year, which was on the low side compared to national averages, but much higher than the overall state average.5,6 As in most states, chief executives were the highest-paid category at nearly $185,000.6 Most management positions fell between $80,000 and $130,000.6 The lowest-paid category as tax preparers at $37,690.6
| Occupation Title | BLS.gov Code | 2016 Total Employment Arizona | Mean Hourly Wage Arizona | Mean Annual Wage Arizona | National Growth 2016-26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | 13-2011 | 19,300 | $33 | $69,340 | 10% |
| Administrative Services Managers | 11-3011 | 7,750 | $42 | $88,020 | 10.1% |
| Advertising and Promotions Managers | 11-2011 | $39 | $81,650 | 5.8% | |
| Agents and Managers of Performers and Athletes | 13-1011 | 110 | $22 | $46,080 | 4.9% |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 11-9041 | 3,410 | $61 | $126,200 | 5.5% |
| Budget Analysts | 13-2031 | 1,180 | $34 | $71,020 | 6.5% |
| Business Operations Specialists | 13-1199 | 16,330 | $31 | $65,290 | 8.8% |
| Chief Executives | 11-1011 | 7,170 | $89 | $184,620 | 8% |
| Compensation and Benefits Managers | 11-3111 | 290 | $55 | $113,950 | 5.0% |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | 13-1141 | 1,890 | $28 | $58,670 | 8.5% |
| Compliance Officers | 13-1041 | 7,290 | $30 | $63,140 | 8.2% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | 11-3021 | 7,000 | $65 | $134,930 | 11.9% |
| Construction Managers | 11-9021 | 6,630 | $42 | $86,420 | 11.4% |
| Cost Estimators | 13-1051 | 4,740 | $33 | $67,760 | 10.6% |
| Credit Analysts | 13-2041 | 1,580 | $30 | $62,510 | 8.4% |
| Credit Counselors | 13-2071 | 2,130 | $23 | $46,980 | 13.9% |
| Financial Analysts | 13-2051 | 5,570 | $38 | $78,650 | 10.8% |
| Financial Examiners | 13-2061 | 870 | $39 | $81,270 | 9.8% |
| Financial Managers | 11-3031 | 11,370 | $54 | $112,680 | 18.7% |
| General and Operations Managers | 11-1021 | 50,370 | $47 | $96,920 | 9.1% |
| Human Resources Managers | 11-3121 | 3,010 | $46 | $96,600 | 8.9% |
| Human Resources Specialists | 13-1071 | 10,060 | $28 | $59,130 | 7.1% |
| Insurance Underwriters | 13-2053 | 1,680 | $37 | $76,740 | -5.2% |
| Labor Relations Specialists | 13-1075 | 430 | $33 | $69,650 | -7.8% |
| Loan Officers | 13-2072 | 8,480 | $34 | $71,160 | 11.5% |
| Logisticians | 13-1081 | 2,500 | $35 | $72,940 | 6.9% |
| Management Analysts | 13-1111 | 10,560 | $40 | $82,390 | 12.0% |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 13-1161 | 9,920 | $32 | $66,310 | 22.8% |
| Marketing Managers | 11-2021 | 5,860 | $56 | $116,450 | 10% |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 13-1121 | 1,770 | $22 | $44,890 | 10.2% |
| Public Relations and Fundraising Managers | 11-2031 | 1,290 | $48 | $99,690 | 10.4% |
| Purchasing Managers | 11-3061 | 1,630 | $49 | $101,270 | 5.6% |
| Sales Managers | 11-2022 | 11,100 | $53 | $109,480 | 7.4% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | 13-2081 | 360 | $37 | $76,390 | -0.6% |
| Tax Preparers | 13-2082 | 1,540 | $18 | $37,690 | 10.8% |
| Training and Development Managers | 11-3131 | 1,010 | $46 | $96,250 | 10.3% |
| Training and Development Specialists | 13-1151 | 7,530 | $29 | $60,580 | 11.5% |
Other Popular State Pages
- Business Schools in California
- Business Schools in Nevada
- Business Schools in Utah
- Business Schools in Colorado
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/
2. AACSB, Best Business Schools: https://bestbizschools.aacsb.edu/aacsb-accredited
3. ACBSP, Business Schools: https://acbsp.org/page/accreditation-overview
4. IACBE, Business Schools: https://iacbe.org/accreditation/
5. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook Handbook, Business and Financial Occupations: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/home.htm
6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics – Employment and Wage Estimates Arizona: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_az.htm
7. US News & World Report, Best Business Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools