Central Arizona College (CAC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Central Arizona College
Framed by the Sonoran Desert, Central Arizona College keeps learning grounded and practical. It's known for strong transfer prep and career-focused training across the arts, business, health, and technical fields. You'll find hands-on labs, studios, and solid study spaces, plus tutoring, writing help, and advising that actually listens. The library anchors it all with quiet corners and staff who steer you to what you need.
Student life feels friendly and kinda unpretentious. Clubs, service projects, and Vaqueros game days set the rhythm, while the desert setting makes trails, sunsets, and stargazing close at hand. Career prep appears in employer talks, internships, and faculty ties across regional agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and public service. With a small-town vibe and quick reach to bigger cities, it's a place to focus and move forward.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Central Arizona College (CAC) offers 54 degree programs across 19 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,317 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Liberal Arts (2 programs, 465 graduates), Health (12 programs, 221 graduates), Construction (3 programs, 109 graduates), Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 79 graduates) and Production (1 programs, 68 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Liberal Arts (2 programs, 465 graduates)
Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences | 409 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0101 |
| General Studies | 56 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
24.0102 |
Health (12 programs, 221 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nursing | 53 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.3901 |
| Registered Nursing | 50 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | 33 |
|
Residency
|
51.1009 |
| Radiologic Technology | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Health Information Administration | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0706 |
| Massage Therapy | 13 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.3501 |
| Clinical Laboratory Assistant | 9 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0802 |
| Medical Assistant | 8 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0801 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 7 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
51.0904 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1004 |
| Dietetic Technician | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3103 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0805 |
Construction (3 programs, 109 graduates)
Building Trades, Construction Management and Skilled Crafts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpentry | 69 |
|
Other Award
|
46.0201 |
| Masonry | 39 |
|
Other Award
|
46.0101 |
| Electrician | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
46.0302 |
Interdisciplinary (1 programs, 79 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 79 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
30.0101 |
Production (1 programs, 68 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 68 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0508 |
Education (3 programs, 67 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood Education | 44 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
13.1210 |
| Elementary Education | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13.1202 |
| General Education | 9 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13.0101 |
Eng. Technologies (2 programs, 59 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing Engineering Technology | 49 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
15.0613 |
| HVAC Engineering Technology | 10 |
|
Other Award
|
15.0501 |
Business (6 programs, 42 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration | 24 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0101 |
| Hospitality Management | 11 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0909 |
| Hospitality Management | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Restaurant and Food Services Management | 2 |
|
Residency
|
52.0905 |
| Retail Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
52.0212 |
| Accounting | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0301 |
Personal Services (4 programs, 41 graduates)
Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts and Personal Care
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food Service Workers | 29 |
|
Other Award
|
12.0508 |
| Culinary Arts and Chef Training | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
12.0503 |
| Culinary Arts | 4 |
|
Associate's
|
12.0500 |
| Baking and Pastry Arts | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
12.0501 |
Human Sciences (2 programs, 35 graduates)
Family Studies, Consumer Sciences and Human Development
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies | 34 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0501 |
| Foodservice Systems Management | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
19.0505 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Central Arizona College (CAC)
How much does it cost to attend Central Arizona College (CAC)?
The annual tuition at Central Arizona College (CAC) is $2,250 for in-state students and $4,500 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $15,451 for in-state students and $17,701 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $8,786 and books and supplies $1,600.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Central Arizona College offer?
Central Arizona College (CAC) offers 54 academic programs across 19 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Liberal Arts Education, General Studies and Humanities (2 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (12 programs)
- Building Trades, Construction Management and Skilled Crafts (3 programs)
- Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs (1 programs)
- Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts (1 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Central Arizona College?
Central Arizona College (CAC) provides financial aid to 8% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $4,608 and average loans of $3,376.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,115
- State/Local grants: $4,684
- Institutional grants: $2,474
- Federal loans: $3,325
The university supports 315 students with grants and 20 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Central Arizona College graduates?
Central Arizona College (CAC) graduates earn a median salary of $36,057 after 6 years and $40,513 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $22,583 (25th percentile) to $59,797 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $59,800 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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