Rio Salado College
A good fit for families who need the lowest possible cost and in-state Arizona residents. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here. a public school with 11,668 students.
About This School
Rio Salado College is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona with approximately 11,668 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $8,341 per year. The graduation rate is 9%, and the typical graduate earns $43,400 within 10 years of enrollment.
Rio Salado College is a public community college headquartered in Tempe, Arizona United States. It is part of the Maricopa County Community College District and accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. It offers associate degree and certificate programs in online, in-person, and hybrid formats.
The numbers tell a mixed story here: the low median debt of $4,375 and affordable net price make this one of the least financially risky options you'll find, but a 4% graduation rate is a serious red flag that most students who start here don't finish. This is worth considering only if you're a self-directed, part-time, or working adult learner who has a clear plan — Rio Salado's online, flexible model suits specific circumstances rather than students looking for a traditional path to a degree.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 21% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (11,668 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
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Arizona State University Campus Immersion
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Arizona State University Digital Immersion
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University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ · Public
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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