While some may question the cost and relevance of earning a degree from traditional, four-year colleges and universities in an evolving job market, community colleges continue to educate nearly 44% of all undergraduates in the United States, offering extensive options for affordable, industry-relevant degrees and certifications.
Mesa Community College (MCC) delivers exceptional value to students and the local community it serves, fostering lasting social, economic, and lifestyle benefits. Through numerous programs in which students can obtain certifications, transfers to Arizona’s state universities, and new, four-year degrees, MCC opens doors to opportunity for more students than any other sector of higher education.
Students who have studied at MCC and entered the Maricopa County workforce receive higher earnings than those who have not pursued higher education. According to the U.S. Department of Education College Scoreboard, the median earnings of MCC graduates four years after graduation is $68,596. The average MCC graduate earning an associate degree will have an increase in earnings of $9,700 annually compared to those with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Arizona, based on a 2025 Lightcast Economic Impact Study.
Communities and counties rely on MCC to develop talent, create workforce-ready employees, and expand economic opportunities. MCC is one of the primary sources of higher education to Maricopa County residents and a strong supplier of trained workers to local industries, enhancing overall productivity of the workforce.
Supporting a variety of industries in Maricopa County, MCC serves county businesses and benefits society as a whole from an expanded economy and improved quality of life. Benefits created by MCC extend to state and local governments through increased tax revenues and public sector savings.
Opportunities offered to students by MCC include:
Career and Technical Education: Prepares students for workforce-ready job opportunities, integrating traditional academic learning with career-focused study and real-world experience.
University Transfer Programs: MCC partners with all state universities (Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona) to offer degree and certificate pathways so students can easily transfer. Among bachelor’s degree recipients at these schools, 15% started as transfer students from MCC.
Four-year Bachelor’s Degree Programs: For those preferring four-year degree programs representing value and convenience, MCC also offers two bachelor’s degrees – Bachelor of Applied Science, Data Analytics and Programming; and Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education – Dual Language. MCC will offer a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with emphases in Fitness and Human Performance and Pre-Physical Therapy beginning Fall 2027.
Registration for MCC’s Spring 2027 semester is underway. Explore your options and request information specific to your needs at mesacc.edu/future-students.