Best Online Colleges in Arizona

Benefits of Studying Online in Arizona

Arizona's nickname is the "Grand Canyon State", and for good reason. This desert paradise is home to a vast expanse of geography - making it the 6th largest state by land area at just over 113,990 square miles. Located in the southwestern part of the United States, Arizona is home to the Grand Canyon, the world's most renowned natural wonder. Although this incredible natural feature can't be missed, Arizona boasts plenty of other attractions, such as Monument Valley, the Sonoran desert, and, of course, the sizzling south-western capital, Phoenix, which serves as the state's largest city and economic hub.

Employment Stats

When it comes to economic stability, Arizona is far from becoming complacent. In October 2022, the state counted just over 3.1 million employed persons (the 17th most of any state) - accounting for 2.02% of the nation's workforce. It added a total of 105,000 employees from 2021 when it counted 2.99 million. Reflected in a increase of 3.5%, Arizona landed as the 18th fastest state by employed person growth. Also, considering the national median as a benchmark, Arizona is home to 1.1 million gains (+57%) above that mark. That being said, Arizona is still more than 830,000 short of the nation's #1 employer (California), which shouldn't come as a shock given the fact that Arizona accomodates just 2.2% of the nation's population.

All in all, Arizona still beat out Minnesota, which tallied 2.96 million employed persons, good for the 18th spot (Arizona ended up 146,000 people ahead, which translates to a lead of 4.92%). On the other hand, Arizona was just beaten out by Indiana, which had a total of 3.2 million employed persons (the 16th most of any state). That puts Indiana about 101,000 ahead of Arizona in terms of employed persons (which is a difference of -3.2%).

Job Opportunities

Arizona is one of the more popular destinations for students to study, with a handful of top ranked universities, plenty of sunshine, and nearly 3 million job opportunities spread across the state. The state ranks 17th in job quantity according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with just over 2.8 million employed persons. That places it at 68th percentile in terms of job quantity, out of 50 states.

Arizona also boasts a slightly above average job diversity, with 745 different occupations across the state. This lands the state in the 19th slot out of 50, with about 3.2% more unique job types than the national median of 722.

In terms of universities, Arizona is home to some of the best in the nation. The University of Arizona (based in Tucson) is one of the top public universities in the nation, and the highly acclaimed Arizona State University boasts nearly 40,000 students each year. If you’re looking to study engineering, then you might consider the University of Arizona as they’ve consistently ranked among the top 20 engineering schools in America.

Finally, the state provides some of the most unique recreational activities in the US, from the world-famous Grand Canyon to the Sonoran desert, and the nearby city of Phoenix which is the 6th largest in the nation. The state also offers a wide range of different climates and landscapes, so no matter where you are, there’s always something new to explore.

So in the end, Arizona is perfect for any student who desires a combination of educational opportunity and outdoor exploration. The employment data reveals a steady growth in job availability and the potential to exceed the national median. That being said, it's definitely a state worth exploring for anyone looking for the perfect place to study.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)