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Central Arizona College

Coolidge, Arizona · Public community college

Construction trades programsCulinary & pastry schoolsLPN / LVN programsWelding schoolsHeavy equipment operator schoolsPhlebotomy classesRadiology & sonography programsMedical assistant programsElectrician schoolsEMT & paramedic trainingDiesel mechanic schoolsMassage therapy schoolsPharmacy technician programs
27%completion rate · Arizona avg 64%
$10,010median debt of graduates
$36,057median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$40,513median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and D | Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | Higher Learning Commission (Accredited)
Address: 8470 N Overfield Rd, Coolidge, AZ 85128 · Phone: (520) 494-5444 · 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.

Central Arizona College is a public trade and career school in Coolidge, Arizona, offering construction trades, culinary arts, and LPN programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Central Arizona College has a 27.1% completion rate, below the state average of 64.4%, with median graduate debt of $10,010 and median earnings of $40,513 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Central Arizona College; the school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and about 29.6% of students receive Pell Grants.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Central Arizona Colle… Central Arizona Colle…: 27.1% 27.1% 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)
Construction laborers$36,770$46,590$51,620
Chefs and head cooks$33,970$59,890$74,990
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses$61,050$77,070$81,860
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers$39,970$55,600$65,660
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators$47,680$60,620$65,370
Phlebotomists$38,090$46,260$47,840
Radiologic technologists and technicians$61,510$89,200$106,920
Medical assistants$38,100$45,940$48,450
Electricians$45,540$61,060$77,060
Emergency medical technicians$33,860$39,500$48,350
Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists$45,460$61,680$74,310
Massage therapists$37,800$62,400$72,800
Pharmacy technicians$39,040$47,640$54,060

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
Carpenters Certificate, 300–899 hours 69 not reported not reported not reported
Mason/Masonry Certificate, 300–899 hours 44 not reported not reported not reported
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, 1–2 years 38 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 34 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 300–899 hours 20 not reported not reported not reported
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions Certificate, under 300 hours 17 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 16 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 13 not reported not reported not reported
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers Certificate, 300–899 hours 12 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 11 not reported not reported not reported
Ground Transportation Certificate, 300–899 hours 11 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 9 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Associate degree 8 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 7 not reported not reported not reported
Ground Transportation Certificate, 1–2 years 6 not reported not reported not reported
Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services Certificate, 1–2 years 6 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 6 not reported not reported not reported
Ground Transportation Associate degree 5 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Associate degree 5 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate degree 4 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 4 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 1–2 years 3 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 3 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 1–2 years 2 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 300–899 hours 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

Central Arizona College is a public trade and career school located in Coolidge, Arizona. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. The school participates in the federal Title IV financial aid program, meaning students may use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment. The campus offers 25 program families, with the most-awarded credentials in construction trades programs (113 completions), culinary & pastry programs (63 completions), and LPN/LVN programs (38 completions).

Federal data shows a completion rate of 27.1%, which is below the state average of 64.4% for comparable programs. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $10,010. Median earnings for graduates were $40,513 measured ten years after entry. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 29.6% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, reflecting a meaningful share of lower-income students at this fringe rural campus of 4,912 undergraduates.

This campus may suit students interested in shorter, hands-on trade credentials such as construction trades, culinary arts, or practical nursing rather than longer academic degree paths, though specific program lengths are not reported here and should be confirmed with the school directly. Given its below-average completion rate, prospective students—including career changers—should ask the school directly about program formats and support services. To verify accreditation status and review the latest federal outcome data yourself, consult the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or contact Central Arizona College directly.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Central Arizona College offers 25 program families, with the most completions in construction trades programs, culinary & pastry programs, and LPN/LVN programs.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.

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

Yes, Central Arizona College participates in the Title IV federal financial aid program, so students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants.

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

The completion rate is 27.1%, which is below the state average of 64.4%.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Graduates who borrowed carried a median debt of $10,010, per federal data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings for graduates were $40,513, measured ten years after entry, per the College Scorecard.

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 for current tuition figures.

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

Central Arizona College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition rates for state residents compared to private for-profit schools.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly at (520) 494-5444 or visit centralaz.edu for program schedules.

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

You can verify accreditation status and review federal outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at the provided link, or contact the school directly.

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

The campus offers shorter, hands-on trade programs like construction trades and culinary arts alongside LPN training, which may appeal to career changers, though fit should be confirmed with the school since specific schedules are not reported here.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can contact Central Arizona College at (520) 494-5444 or visit their website at https://www.centralaz.edu/ for application details.

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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