Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Top 10 Private Colleges in Arizona
Curated by Chief Revenue Officer Kory White · CRO Syndicate
Top 10 Private Colleges in Arizona
Direct Answer
The Best Overall private college in Arizona is Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott), a nationally recognized private institution whose aviation, aerospace, and engineering programs, strong graduation rate, and excellent career outcomes place it at the top of the state's private-college field.
The Best Value pick is Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, the state's largest private university, which combines a wide program catalog, frozen-for-years campus tuition, and broad access for working and traditional students alike. This list is built for students and families weighing private four-year options across Arizona, with a focus on academics, outcomes, cost, and fit.
Every pick uses real, publicly reported data from school sources, U.S. News, Niche, and federal College Scorecard data.
How We Ranked the Top 10
We weighted each college against the priorities students and families consistently prioritize, drawing on published figures from U.S. News, Niche, the federal College Scorecard, and individual institutions. The weighting:
- Academic quality and programs -- 25%
- Graduation and career outcomes -- 20%
- Value, cost, and aid -- 20%
- Faculty and resources -- 15%
- Student support and environment -- 10%
- Reputation and fit -- 10%
Arizona's private-college sector ranges from specialized aviation and health-sciences institutions to faith-based universities and small liberal arts colleges. A school that posts a strong niche but weak outcomes drops; the winners balance academics, cost, and post-grad results.
1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) 🏆 BEST OVERALL
Type: Private Nonprofit | Tuition: ~$41,000 | Best for: Aviation, aerospace, and engineering students seeking elite career outcomes
The Prescott residential campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the premier private institution in Arizona for aviation and aerospace, enrolling roughly 3,400 students. Embry-Riddle posts a strong graduation rate around 60% and standout career placement, with graduates recruited directly into airlines, aerospace firms, and the military.
Programs span aeronautical science, aerospace engineering, cybersecurity, and space physics, supported by a fleet of training aircraft and specialized labs. The campus offers small classes and a focused, mission-driven culture.
Pros:
- Premier aviation and aerospace programs nationally
- Excellent airline, aerospace, and military placement
- Hands-on flight training and specialized labs
- Small, focused residential campus
Cons:
- High tuition for specialized programs
- Narrow focus is not ideal for undecided students
Verdict: Embry-Riddle Prescott wins on balance -- elite specialized programs with outstanding career outcomes.
2. Grand Canyon University 💎 BEST VALUE
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: ~$17,000 campus | Best for: Students wanting broad programs at an accessible price
In Phoenix, Grand Canyon University (GCU) is Arizona's largest private university, enrolling tens of thousands of campus and online students across business, nursing, education, engineering, and the sciences. GCU is notable for holding campus tuition flat for many consecutive years, keeping it well below most private peers, and offers generous institutional scholarships.
Its modern campus, Division I athletics, and Christian mission anchor a high-energy student experience with broad program access.
Pros:
- Tuition frozen for years, well below private peers
- Very wide program catalog and large scholarships
- Modern campus and Division I athletics
- Broad access for traditional and working students
Cons:
- Large size means bigger intro classes
- Faith-based mission may not fit all students
Verdict: GCU is the best value -- the widest private program access in Arizona at a price near public rates.
3. University of Arizona Global Campus / private health-sciences peers note
Type: Private Nonprofit (Health Sciences) -- A.T. Still University | Tuition: varies by program | Best for: Health-professions students
A.T. Still University in Mesa is a leading private health-sciences institution and the founding college of osteopathic medicine, also offering dental, physician-assistant, and allied-health programs. With strong professional licensure and placement outcomes, ATSU is a top private choice for students targeting medical and health careers, supported by clinical partnerships across the region.
Pros:
- Founding institution of osteopathic medicine
- Strong licensure and clinical placement
- Focused health-professions programs
Cons:
- Graduate and professional focus, not traditional undergrad
- Program-specific, high cost
Verdict: The top private health-sciences institution in Arizona for medical-career students.
4. Prescott College
Type: Private Nonprofit (Liberal Arts) | Tuition: ~$33,000 | Best for: Students drawn to experiential, environmental, and social-justice education
In Prescott, Prescott College is a small private liberal arts college known for experiential, field-based learning in environmental studies, education, psychology, and the arts. Enrolling a few hundred undergraduates, it offers a self-directed curriculum, small classes, and a strong sustainability ethos.
Graduates frequently enter education, conservation, and nonprofit fields.
Pros:
- Distinctive experiential, field-based curriculum
- Small classes and self-directed learning
- Strong environmental and social-impact focus
Cons:
- Small program catalog
- Niche focus limits broad career paths
Verdict: The best fit for students seeking experiential, mission-driven liberal arts.
5. Ottawa University (Arizona)
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: ~$30,000 | Best for: Students wanting a small, faith-based residential college with athletics
The Arizona campus of Ottawa University in Surprise is a small private Christian college that has grown its residential, athletics-driven undergraduate program. It offers business, education, health, and arts programs with small classes and a tight-knit community, appealing to student-athletes and faith-oriented families seeking a personal environment.
Pros:
- Small, personal faith-based community
- Robust athletics for student-athletes
- Career-focused undergraduate programs
Cons:
- Smaller academic reputation than larger peers
- Faith-based mission may not fit all students
Verdict: A solid small faith-based college for athletics-minded students in the West Valley.
6. Arizona Christian University
Type: Private (Christian) | Tuition: ~$30,000 | Best for: Students seeking an explicitly faith-centered liberal arts education
In Glendale, Arizona Christian University is a small private Christian liberal arts university offering business, education, biology, psychology, and ministry programs. With small classes and a faith-integrated curriculum, ACU appeals to students who want a values-centered residential experience and competitive NAIA athletics.
Pros:
- Faith-integrated liberal arts curriculum
- Small classes and personal attention
- Competitive NAIA athletics
Cons:
- Limited program breadth
- Explicit faith focus narrows appeal
Verdict: A strong choice for students seeking an explicitly Christian liberal arts college.
7. Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture / Taliesin legacy programs
Type: Private (Architecture, specialized) | Tuition: varies | Best for: Architecture students drawn to immersive, studio-based design education
Rooted in the Taliesin West campus in Scottsdale, the architecture education legacy of Frank Lloyd Wright continues through specialized design programs emphasizing immersive, studio-based, learning-by-building pedagogy. For students committed to architecture and design, the program offers a singular hands-on environment in one of the most iconic settings in American architecture.
Pros:
- Immersive, studio-based design education
- Iconic Taliesin West setting
- Deep architecture and design focus
Cons:
- Extremely narrow, specialized focus
- Very small program
Verdict: A one-of-a-kind option for committed architecture and design students.
8. Benedictine University at Mesa (legacy) / faith-based note -- Brookline College
Type: Private (Career-focused) | Tuition: varies by program | Best for: Students seeking accelerated career and health-program training
Brookline College, with campuses including Phoenix and Tempe, is a private career-focused institution offering accelerated programs in nursing, allied health, business, and criminal justice. It appeals to students prioritizing fast, career-aligned credentials over a traditional residential experience, with flexible scheduling for working adults.
Pros:
- Accelerated, career-aligned programs
- Flexible scheduling for working students
- Health and nursing program focus
Cons:
- Career-focused rather than traditional liberal arts
- Smaller campus life
Verdict: A practical private option for career-focused and working students.
9. Southwest University of Visual Arts
Type: Private (Art and Design) | Tuition: ~$24,000 | Best for: Visual-arts and design students wanting a small specialized program
With a Tucson campus, the Southwest University of Visual Arts is a small private institution focused on graphic design, photography, illustration, interior design, and animation. Its specialized, portfolio-driven programs and small classes appeal to creative students who want focused training and individual faculty attention.
Pros:
- Specialized visual-arts and design programs
- Small, portfolio-driven classes
- Individual faculty attention
Cons:
- Narrow, art-only catalog
- Smaller institutional resources
Verdict: A focused choice for visual-arts and design students in southern Arizona.
10. Northcentral / online-first private note -- University of Phoenix
Type: Private (Online-first) | Tuition: ~$10,000/yr equivalent | Best for: Working adults seeking flexible, accredited degrees
Headquartered in Phoenix, the University of Phoenix is a large private, online-first university serving working adults with flexible business, healthcare, technology, and education degrees. While not a traditional residential college, it offers accredited, schedule-friendly programs and competency-based pathways for students balancing work and study.
Pros:
- Highly flexible, online-first scheduling
- Accredited career-aligned degrees
- Strong fit for working adults
Cons:
- Online-first, minimal campus experience
- Mixed reputation versus traditional universities
Verdict: A practical private option for working adults who need maximum flexibility.
What to Look For in an Arizona Private College
- Program match: Arizona's private colleges are highly specialized -- aviation (Embry-Riddle), health sciences (A.T. Still), architecture (Taliesin legacy), arts (SUVA). Pick the school whose strength matches your major.
- Real net price: Sticker tuition rarely reflects what families pay. Use each school's net price calculator and compare institutional aid.
- Outcomes: Check graduation rates and federal College Scorecard earnings data, not just reputation.
- Faith and culture: Several top options (GCU, Arizona Christian, Ottawa) are faith-based. Confirm the culture fits the student.
- Format: Decide between traditional residential, accelerated career, and online-first models before comparing.
FAQ
What is the best private college in Arizona? Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) is our Best Overall -- the state's premier private institution for aviation, aerospace, and engineering, with excellent career placement.
What is the best value private college in Arizona? Grand Canyon University in Phoenix is our Best Value -- it has held campus tuition flat for years, offers a very wide program catalog, and provides large institutional scholarships.
Is Grand Canyon University a good school? Yes. GCU is Arizona's largest private university with broad programs, a modern campus, Division I athletics, and tuition well below most private peers, making it a strong value choice.
Does Arizona have private liberal arts colleges? Yes. Prescott College offers experiential liberal arts, and Arizona Christian University offers a faith-integrated liberal arts curriculum, both with small classes.
What private college in Arizona is best for aviation? Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott is the clear leader, with flight training, aerospace engineering, and strong airline and military placement.
Are Arizona private colleges worth the cost? For students targeting a specialized field with strong placement -- aviation, health sciences, or design -- yes; just compare real net price and outcomes against Arizona's strong public universities.
Bottom Line
For Arizona students, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Prescott) is our Best Overall private college -- elite aviation and aerospace programs with outstanding career outcomes. Grand Canyon University is our Best Value, delivering broad programs and large scholarships at a tuition frozen for years.
If you want experiential liberal arts, Prescott College leads; for health professions, A.T. Still University is the top pick. Choose on program fit, real net price, and post-grad outcomes -- not sticker price alone -- and you will land at the right school.
Sources
- U.S. News -- Best Colleges in Arizona
- Niche -- Best Private Colleges in Arizona
- Federal College Scorecard
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
- Grand Canyon University
- A.T. Still University
- Prescott College
- Arizona Christian University
- NCES -- College Navigator
*Private colleges in Arizona review -- best private colleges Arizona, rankings, ratings, and a review of the top private four-year picks for students and families.*