Mohave College helps families cut the cost of a degree before high school graduation

College Partnerships with participating high schools offer FREE tuition

With the cost of attending a university continuing to rise, especially when housing and meals are included, families are encouraged to take a closer look at the Early College program at Mohave College.

It allows many high school students to earn college credit while still in high school, often at no tuition cost to the family through participating high schools.

Early College options include Dual Enrollment and Concurrent Enrollment, giving students multiple ways to start building transferable college credits early.  Those credits can shorten the time to college degree and reduce overall costs.

“Early College creates a head start that families can feel in real dollars,” said Tiffany Gaffney, Early College Director.  “When students earn college credit in high school, they can reduce the time and cost to a degree. That means families may avoid paying for up to two years of university tuition and on-campus living.”

She added that costs can be reduced even more when students choose one of the Mohave College bachelor’s degree options. Current options include Biology, Elementary Education, and Human Services with more in development as the college seeks future approvals.

A Clear Tuition Advantage in Arizona

Mohave College resident tuition is among the most affordable in the state at $94 per credit hour for 100-200 level courses, and $141 per credit hour for 300-400 level courses. The College bachelor’s degrees require a total of 120 to 124 credits, which equals $14,000 to $15,000 in tuition – roughly the cost of just one year of tuition at a university.

That affordability builds on the broad range of low-cost options the College provides students and families across northwestern Arizona, including career certificates, associate degrees and noncredit training, said Mohave College Interim President Dr. Tim Culver.

“Offering full bachelor’s degrees at this price point right here in our communities is not a small step forward, it is a monumental shift in higher education,” Culver said. “It expands what students in northwestern Arizona can achieve without leaving home or taking on staggering debt.”

Early College Savings Go Beyond Tuition

For many families, the biggest surprise isn’t tuition but the added costs that come with attending a university in person.

Grand Canyon University lists on-campus tuition at $16,500 per year, and its published cost-of-attendance estimates show housing and food can total about $11,100 per year for on-campus students.

At the University of Arizona, estimated on-campus housing and food is listed at $17,300 per year, in addition to tuition and fees.

At Arizona State University, resident tuition and mandatory fees are listed at $12,975 per year. 

At Northern Arizona University, estimated annual costs list tuition and fees at $13,439 for Arizona residents, plus estimated housing ($7,790) and food ($6,642).

Even in situations where a student earns partial or full tuition coverage, housing and meal costs often remain significant, making it financially smart to reduce the number of semesters a student needs to live on campus.

A Simple Example of Potential Savings

If a student earns enough credits to reduce university attendance by two full years, for example by completing a Mohave College associate degree (typically 60–64 credits) before transferring, families may avoid substantial costs tied to living on campus.

Using published university estimates, two years of housing and meals alone can total roughly:

UA: about $34,600 (2 years × $17,300)

ASU: housing examples show $11,076/year, plus meal plan examples such as $1,890/semester – totaling roughly $29,712 over two years when using the examples they posted online.

NAU: housing ($7,790) + food ($6,642) = $28,864 over two years

GCU: about $22,200 (2 years X $11,100)

Built for Transfer: AGEC and Associate Pathways

The Mohave College Early College programs help students begin the higher education path sooner, often reducing the total time and money a family needs to budget for university living expenses.

Early College programs align with Arizona’s statewide transfer framework called the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC). It is designed so that completed AGEC coursework transfers as a block to ASU, NAU and UA, forming a strong foundation for students planning to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Early College Options Through Mohave College

Dual Enrollment (Tuition-Free College Credit During the School Day)

Students earn high school and college credit for work completed during the school year. Courses meet during the regular school day, are taught by qualified high school teachers, and the credit appears on both high school and college transcripts.

Concurrent Enrollment (Flexible College Courses Beyond the Bell Schedule)

Students take Mohave College courses that may be offered online, via Zoom, or in person, typically outside regular high school hours. Depending on local program participation, scholarships and partner support may help cover tuition and fees.

Because local schedules and course lists can vary, Mohave College recommends that families review available Early College options during academic planning conversations each year so students can take full advantage of the opportunities available in their area.

Learn More

To learn more about Mohave College Early College, students and families can visit Mohave.edu/Early-College or email TGaffney@Mohave.edu.