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Public, 2-year

Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona · www.azwestern.edu

中文

Out-of-state tuition

$9,870

In-state $3,060

Peer median $8,816

Undergraduates

8,964

Student-faculty ratio 22:1

Peer median 18 : 1

Graduation rate

25.4%

Within 150% of normal time; 200%: 29.0%

Peer median 33.7%

“Peers” are all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S. (by Carnegie Classification).

About

Arizona Western College (AWC) is a community college located in Yuma, Arizona, known for its commitment to providing accessible education and fostering student success. Established in 1963, AWC serves a diverse population of students from various backgrounds and has built a reputation for its strong academic programs and supportive learning environment. The college's mission emphasizes the importance of empowering students through education, and this is reflected in its motto: "Learning for Life." AWC offers a range of associate degree programs, vocational training, and transfer opportunities to four-year universities, ensuring that students have the flexibility to pursue their educational and career goals.

The college boasts modern facilities, including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and recreational spaces, which enhance the overall student experience. Additionally, AWC is known for its vibrant campus culture, which promotes student involvement through various clubs, organizations, and events, fostering a sense of community and belonging. The college also places a strong emphasis on athletics, featuring competitive sports programs that encourage physical fitness and teamwork among students. With a focus on both academic excellence and holistic development, Arizona Western College stands out as a nurturing institution for aspiring learners seeking to advance their education and prepare for future careers.

Analysis of Tuition Trends and Student Outcomes

Over the past decade, Arizona Western College has seen a significant rise in tuition fees for both in-state and out-of-state undergraduate students. In 2014, the in-state tuition was $1,776, while by 2024, it is projected to reach $2,820, representing an increase of approximately 58.7%. Similarly, out-of-state tuition has escalated from $7,224 to $9,630, a staggering increase of about 33.3%. This trend raises important questions about affordability and access to higher education, especially given the financial burdens many families face today.

In terms of student population, enrollment figures reveal fluctuations, with a peak of 8,081 undergraduates in 2022, followed by a slight decline to 8,050 in 2023. This suggests that while the college may be attracting students, factors such as rising costs could potentially impact future enrollment numbers.

The retention rate has generally shown stability, hovering around the mid-60s percentage-wise, which indicates that once students enroll, they tend to remain at the institution. However, graduation rates tell a different story. The timely graduation rate for undergraduate students remains low, with only 11.3% graduating on time as of 2023, and 23.4% graduating within 150% of the expected timeframe. These figures highlight the challenges students face in completing their degrees, which can be exacerbated by financial pressures stemming from increasing tuition costs.

In summary, while Arizona Western College has made strides in maintaining student enrollment and retention, the climbing tuition rates and low graduation statistics reflect broader challenges within the higher education landscape that warrant continued attention and strategic action.

This collegeRanked colleges nearby

Setting
Midsize city
Nearest major city
Phoenix, about 150 mi
Nearest international airport
Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), about 140 mi
Yuma, Arizona
Also known as
AWC, A.W.C., AZ Western, AZ Western College, Arizona Western, Yuma/LaPaz Community College District, Yuma/La Paz Counties Community College District
Academic calendar
Semester
Religious affiliation
Not applicable
President
Daniel Corr (President)
Phone
9283176000
City
Yuma, Arizona
Address
2020 S. Avenue 8E, Yuma, AZ 85365-8834

Degrees & Majors

Graduates in 2025 (first major)

Associate1,24439 international (3.1%)
Top 10 Associate majors by graduates
General Studies
565
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
103
Business Administration and Management, General
89
Social Sciences, General
81
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
57
Engineering, General
32
Medical/Clinical Assistant
24
Computer and Information Sciences, General
23
Physics, General
22
Elementary Education and Teaching
17

U.S. studentsInternational

Data insights

Analysis of Graduation Data at Arizona Western College

The graduation data from Arizona Western College for 2023 reveals some intriguing trends in various fields of study. Notably, the General Studies program stands out with a significant number of associate degrees awarded, totaling 430 graduates. This suggests that many students are choosing to pursue a broad-based education, potentially to explore multiple disciplines before committing to a specific career path. Such flexibility can be advantageous in today’s rapidly changing job market.

Interestingly, many technical and vocational programs, such as Carpentry and Fire Science, have recorded modest graduation numbers, with 4 to 6 graduates each. This could indicate a growing interest in practical skills that are essential in the labor market. However, the absence of international students graduating in these fields points to a potential area for growth; attracting a more diverse student body could enhance the learning environment and better prepare graduates for global job opportunities.

Furthermore, the data indicates a complete lack of bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degrees awarded in all listed programs, highlighting a significant gap in advanced degree offerings. This could reflect the college's focus on associate degrees and technical training, which may limit pathways for students seeking higher education.

Overall, Arizona Western College appears to be catering to a strong demand for associate degrees in general studies and practical skills, while also facing challenges in expanding its advanced education programs and attracting international students. This scenario calls for strategic planning to enhance the college's academic offerings and improve its competitive edge in the higher education landscape.

All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard

*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes

Liberal arts has 565 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
General Studies.$30,505
Health professionshas 153 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Medical/Clinical Assistant.-
Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic).-
Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer.-
Community Health and Preventive Medicine.-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.-
Businesshas 99 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Business Administration and Management, General.-
Accounting.-
Hospitality Administration/Management, General.-
Social sciencehas 86 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Social Sciences, General.-
Political Science and Government, General.-
Homeland security has 76 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.$36,371
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other.$36,371
Fire Science/Fire-fighting.-
Homeland Security.-
Educationhas 37 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Elementary Education and Teaching.-
Secondary Education and Teaching.-
Early Childhood Education and Teaching.-
Engineeringhas 32 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Engineering, General.-
Computer and information sciencehas 26 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Computer and Information Sciences, General.-
Computer Graphics.-
Physical scienceshas 23 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Geology/Earth Science, General.-
Physics, General.-
Visual and Performing artshas 17 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.-
Fine/Studio Arts, General.-
Music, General.-
Mathmatics and statistics has 14 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Mathematics, General.-
Human science has 13 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General.-
Biologyhas 13 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.-
Engineering technologieshas 13 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.-
Industrial Technology/Technician.-
Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Welding Engineering Technology/Technician.-
Mechanic and repair has 10 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician.-
Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/Technician.-
Parks, recreation, leisure has 10 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General.-
Sport and Fitness Administration/Management.-
Culinary has 8 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Culinary Arts/Chef Training.-
English has 8 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
English Language and Literature, General.-
Agricultural has 8 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Agriculture, General.-
Crop Production.-
Communication has 6 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Communication and Media Studies, Other.-
History has 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
History, General.-
Legal professionshas 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Legal Assistant/Paralegal.-
Precision production has 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Welding Technology/Welder.-
Foreign languages has 5 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Spanish Language and Literature.-
Construction trades has 4 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Carpentry/Carpenter.-
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection, Other.-
Natural resources has 2 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Environmental Science.-
Communications technologies has 1 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryAssociate
Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician.-

Students

8,964 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 40:60 · Freshman retention 67.1%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (8,964)

Hispanic
6,755 · 75.4%
White
972 · 10.8%
Unknown
694 · 7.7%
International
138 · 1.5%
Two or more races
128 · 1.4%
Black
95 · 1.1%
Asian
89 · 1.0%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
32.3%
18–19
25.6%
20–21
13.1%
22–24
9.0%
25 and over
20.0%

Data insights

Analysis of Student Demographics at Arizona Western College in 2023

The student demographics at Arizona Western College reveal significant insights into the composition of its undergraduate and graduate populations in 2023. Among the undergraduate freshmen, the total number of students is 2,096, with a gender distribution of 43% male and 57% female. This trend continues among undergraduate juniors, where the population is larger at 5,242, and the gender ratio shifts slightly to 39% male and 61% female, indicating a consistent trend of higher female enrollment across these categories.

Interestingly, the transfer student category shows a slight increase in male representation, with 43.6% of the 257 students identifying as male. This suggests that transfer students may have different dynamics regarding gender representation, possibly influenced by their prior institutions.

A noteworthy aspect of the demographics is the diversity within the student body. While specific numbers for individual ethnic groups were not fully disclosed, the data indicates that the college is home to various ethnicities, including White, Asian, Latino, Pacific Islander, African American, and international students. This diversity is essential in fostering an inclusive educational environment and enriching the academic experience for all students.

Overall, the gender distribution and the diverse student body reflect broader trends seen in higher education, where female enrollment often surpasses that of males. This trend aligns with national statistics indicating that women are increasingly pursuing higher education at higher rates than men. As educational institutions adapt to these demographic shifts, it will be interesting to see how they cater to the needs of diverse student populations in the coming years.

Analysis of Student Age Demographics at Arizona Western College

The age distribution of students at Arizona Western College reveals significant insights into the demographics of the student body. A majority of the students fall within the younger age categories, particularly those under 18 and between 18-19 years old, comprising 64% of the total male students and 66% of the total female students. This trend reflects the broader national pattern in community colleges where younger students often seek higher education immediately after high school.

As we progress through the age groups, there is a notable decline in student numbers. Students aged 20-21 account for only 29% of male and 26% of female students, which may suggest that many individuals tend to transition to four-year institutions after completing their initial college experiences. Furthermore, the 22-24 age group is also limited, with just 9% of male students and 10% of female students in this bracket.

Interestingly, the older age brackets reveal a stark drop-off, with very few students over the age of 30 attending. Only 11% of the total male and female students are aged 30 and above, indicating that Arizona Western College primarily serves a younger demographic. The presence of older students is minimal, with those over 65 representing just 0.5% of the total student population.

Overall, these statistics underscore the college's role as a primary institution for younger students pursuing higher education, while also indicating potential areas for growth in attracting adult learners and non-traditional students. As the landscape of education continues to evolve, addressing the needs of a diverse age demographic will be vital for institutions like Arizona Western College.

International Students

International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Undergraduates1.5%

138 in 2025 · 3.0% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 3.0%2017: 2.2%2018: 1.9%2019: 1.3%2020: 1.2%2021: 0.8%2022: 1.3%2023: 1.3%2024: 1.5%2025: 1.5%
2016Peer median 0.6%2025

Data insights

Trends in International Student Enrollment at Arizona Western College

The data reveals significant fluctuations in the number of international students enrolled at Arizona Western College over the years. From 2004 to 2006, the international student population was notably low, with only 20 students in 2004 and a remarkable increase to 667 by 2006, indicating a growing interest in the college from international communities. This surge peaked in 2007, when international students comprised over 12% of the total undergraduate enrollment, suggesting that the college may have implemented strategies to attract more international students during this period.

However, the trend took a downward turn from 2008 onwards, with the percentage of international students dropping significantly. By 2019, the figure plummeted to just 1.26%, and this decline continued into 2021, reaching an all-time low of 0.82%. This trend could reflect broader factors affecting international education, such as economic conditions, changes in immigration policies, or competition from other institutions.

The recent data from 2022 and 2023 shows a slight recovery, with the percentage of international students rising to 1.30% and 1.34%, respectively. While these numbers are still considerably lower than the peak years, they may indicate a gradual resurgence in international interest. As global travel and education resume post-pandemic, Arizona Western College may benefit from reevaluating its approach to attracting and supporting international students to enhance diversity and enrich the educational experience for all students.

Cost

2025 cost per year (out-of-state)

$18,408

Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
$9,870
Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
$3,060
Room and board
$8,538
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

Peer median tuition + room and board $19,938 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Tuition rose 32% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 35%.

Finances · fiscal year 2024

Revenue$101M

Government grants and contracts
$86.6M86.0%
Tuition and fees
$6.6M6.5%
Investment return
$3.0M3.0%
Auxiliary enterprises
$2.9M2.8%
Other
$1.6M1.6%

Expenses$90.4M

Instruction
$30.6M33.8%
Institutional support
$13.5M15.0%
Scholarships
$10.2M11.3%
Student services
$8.6M9.6%
Auxiliary enterprises
$6.5M7.2%
Academic support
$3.0M3.4%
Public service
$1.6M1.7%
Other
$16.3M18.0%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

All faculty
$73,598peers $68,588

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NJCAA
2025
NJCAA Division I MENWOMEN
Soccer3024
Baseball32-
Basketball1511
Softball-25
Volleyball-13
2024
NJCAA Division IMENWOMEN
Soccer3223
Baseball26-
Basketball158
Softball-21
Volleyball-13
2023
NJCAA Division IMENWOMEN
Soccer3026
Baseball27-
Basketball1211
Softball-22
Volleyball-12

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

Data insights

Here are some notable universities surrounding Arizona Western College:

  1. University of California-San Diego - Ranked 28th in the 2024 US News rankings, UCSD is a prestigious research university located in La Jolla, California. It is known for its strong emphasis on science and engineering programs.

  2. University of California-Irvine - With a ranking of 33, UCI is recognized for its excellent academic programs and is a leading institution in research and innovation.

  3. University of Arizona - Ranked 115th, this university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known for its research initiatives and vibrant campus life.

  4. California State University-Long Beach - This university ranks 105th and offers a diverse array of programs and a strong commitment to student success.

  5. Chapman University - Ranked 133rd, Chapman is located in Orange, California, and is known for its film and business programs.

  6. Harvey Mudd College - One of the top liberal arts colleges specializing in science and engineering, Harvey Mudd is ranked 16th and is part of the Claremont Colleges consortium.

  7. Pomona College - Ranked 4th, Pomona College is a private liberal arts college known for its rigorous academics and beautiful campus.

These institutions represent a range of options for prospective students in the area, each offering unique programs and opportunities.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 0.4 · all 908 public associate's colleges in the U.S.

Incidents, 2023–2025

Drug referrals
7
Motor vehicle theft
2
Liquor arrests
2
Robbery
1
Aggravated assault
1
Weapons arrests
1

From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.

Data insights

Analysis of Crime Data at Arizona Western College

The crime statistics at Arizona Western College reveal a notable decline in reported incidents over the years. From a high of 6.40 incidents per 1,000 students in 2018, the rate has significantly decreased to just 0.50 incidents per 1,000 students in 2023. This downward trend is commendable, suggesting improved safety measures and a more secure campus environment.

In the earlier years of the data, particularly from 2013 to 2016, the college experienced fluctuating crime rates, peaking in 2016 with 5.46 incidents per 1,000 students. However, the most significant drop occurred between 2019 and 2021, where the rate plummeted from 2.69 to 0.65 incidents per 1,000 students. This sharp decline could indicate effective intervention strategies, increased awareness among students, or a combination of both.

The types of offenses recorded, such as arrests related to gun possession and drug use, also reflect a broader trend observed in many educational institutions. Colleges across the country are grappling with issues related to substance abuse and campus safety. The decline in crime rates at Arizona Western College is a positive sign that may provide a model for other institutions facing similar challenges.

Overall, the data suggests that Arizona Western College is making strides in enhancing safety on campus, which is crucial for fostering a positive educational environment. Continued vigilance and proactive measures will be essential to maintain and further improve these statistics in the coming years. For more information on calculating crime rates, please refer to this link: Crime Rate Calculation Method.

Notable Alumni

Notable alumni of Arizona Western College include Nate Archibald (Former NBA player with the Kings and Celtics), Bengie Molina (Puerto Rican baseball catcher) and Eli Crane (U.S. representative from Arizona and former Navy SEAL).

More alumni (2, by field)

Sports

From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.

References and Data Sources

Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.