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Arizona Western College

Yuma, Arizona · Public community college

Medical assistant programsWelding schoolsAuto mechanic schoolsRadiology & sonography programsCulinary & pastry schoolsConstruction trades programsCNA classesHVAC schoolsEMT & paramedic trainingPlumbing schoolsLPN / LVN programs
20%completion rate · Arizona avg 64%
$4,826median debt of graduates
$32,165median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$36,857median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | Higher Learning Commission | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (Accredited)
Address: 2020 S. Avenue 8E, Yuma, AZ 85365 · Phone: (928) 317-6000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Arizona Western College is a public trade school in Yuma, Arizona, offering medical assistant, welding, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Arizona Western College has a 20.2% completion rate, below the state average of 64.4%, with median graduate debt of $4,826 and median earnings of $36,857 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 40.7% of students receive Pell Grants.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Arizona Western Colle… Arizona Western Colle…: 20.2% 20.2% Arizona average Arizona average: 64.4% 64.4% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Medical assistants$38,100$45,940$48,450
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers$39,970$55,600$65,660
Automotive service technicians and mechanics$34,660$49,570$65,360
Radiologic technologists and technicians$61,510$89,200$106,920
Chefs and head cooks$33,970$59,890$74,990
Construction laborers$36,770$46,590$51,620
Nursing assistants$37,100$44,780$46,630
HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers$37,950$59,400$73,810
Emergency medical technicians$33,860$39,500$48,350
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters$45,640$62,070$79,610
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses$61,050$77,070$81,860

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Arizona (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.

Trade programs at this campus

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate degree 22 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 15 $32,048 $37,208 not reported
Precision Metal Working Associate degree 11 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 9 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 9 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 8 not reported not reported not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, under 300 hours 8 not reported not reported not reported
Mason/Masonry Certificate, 300–899 hours 7 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 6 $32,048 $37,208 not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 1–2 years 6 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 300–899 hours 6 not reported not reported not reported
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection Associate degree 4 not reported not reported not reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Certificate, 300–899 hours 3 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 2 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Certificate, 1–2 years 2 not reported not reported not reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 2 not reported not reported not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, 1–2 years 2 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 1 not reported not reported not reported

Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.

Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.

Visit the school's website ↗

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About this school

Arizona Western College is a public trade and career campus in Yuma, Arizona. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning eligible students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for programs. The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, and specific programs are additionally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. The most-awarded trade programs here are medical assistant programs, welding, and auto mechanic training, among 20 total program families offered including HVAC, plumbing, EMT training, CNA classes, and LPN programs.

Federal data shows a completion rate of 20.2%, which is below the state average of 64.4%. Median debt among graduates is $4,826, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $36,857. About 40.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.

This campus enrolls 6,374 undergraduates in a small-city setting and produced 127 trade program completers in the reporting period. Given the mix of shorter certificate-style trade programs and longer associate-degree tracks, it may suit both first-time students and adult career changers seeking a hands-on skill, though prospective students should confirm program length and schedule directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and see the latest federal outcome figures, check the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard or contact the college directly.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Arizona Western College offers 20 program families, most notably medical assistant programs, welding schools, and auto mechanic schools, along with HVAC, plumbing, EMT, CNA, and LPN training.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, the college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?

Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA and Pell Grant funding.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The completion rate is 20.2%, which is below the Arizona state average of 64.4%.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Median debt among graduates is $4,826, according to federal data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $36,857, per federal data.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition and fees.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

Arizona Western College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents compared to private for-profit trade schools.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Specific program lengths are not reported in the available federal data; contact the school at (928) 317-6000 or visit its website to confirm program duration.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can review official federal outcome data and accreditation details on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?104160.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The campus offers both shorter trade certificate programs and longer associate-degree tracks, which may suit adult career changers, but program schedules and format should be confirmed directly with the school.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach Arizona Western College at (928) 317-6000 or through its website, https://www.azwestern.edu/.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data on nearby schools is not included in this listing; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.

Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.

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