University of Arizona — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Arizona charges a net price of $16,674/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $66,696. Graduates earn a median $59,979 ten years after entry, $11,619/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 5.7 years — a 20-year net return of $165,684, a solid payback. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Arizona's 5.7-year payback ranks #503 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 61% of them, and #4 of 63 in Arizona.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $16,674/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $66,696 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $59,979 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $11,619/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $19,620 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $165,684 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Arizona's own numbers. Net price $16,674 × 4 years = $66,696 total. Median earnings $59,979 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $11,619 a year of premium. $66,696 ÷ $11,619 = 5.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $165,684. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Arizona students graduate with?
A median $19,620 in federal loans among completers, or 33% of the $59,979 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Arizona students graduate?
68% finish their degree — 32% leave carrying the cost without the credential. Spread the $66,696 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $98,082 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Arizona expensive compared with other Arizona colleges?
Its $16,674 net price runs $765 below the $17,439 median across the 63 Arizona colleges we profile, and $3,060 less across the full degree.