Enrollment at the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges is projected to reach 110,000 students this fall, marking a 15% increase over last year and the largest year-over-year growth in recent memory, according to the district.

The fall semester begins Aug. 23. Of those expected to enroll, 52% are the first in their families to attend college.

Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale is among the campuses seeing that growth. The college serves a large portion of West Valley residents, many of whom are first-generation students, and continues to expand programs in fields tied to the region’s workforce needs.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome a record-breaking class this fall,” said Dr. Steven Gonzales, Maricopa Community Colleges chancellor. “These numbers are a testament to the role we play as Arizona’s most accessible, affordable, and local higher education provider.”

Nearly 91% of students this fall are Arizona residents, a double-digit increase compared with last year’s enrollment. In 2024, the colleges educated more than 125,000 Arizona students, more than the combined in-state enrollment of Arizona’s three public universities, according to the district.

Maricopa launched its first bachelor’s degree programs two years ago and now offers 11. Enrollment in those programs has nearly doubled this semester, with about 7,500 students pursuing four-year degrees. Three new programs are debuting this fall.

Tuition is set at $97 per credit hour for lower-division courses and $145.50 for upper-division courses. The district said the cost can save students up to $40,000 compared with tuition at Arizona’s public universities.

The system reports that more than half of its students are first-generation college attendees. Officials said additional support, resources and guidance are provided to help students complete their educational goals.

With more than 600 degree and certificate programs, Maricopa Community Colleges contributes an estimated $11.7 billion in benefits and savings to the community, according to a recent economic impact study.

“Our students are the future leaders, innovators, and professionals who will shape Arizona's growth,” Gonzales said. “We are proud to serve them and to continue building a stronger, more vibrant state.”

District officials said enrollment growth is expected to bring more skilled graduates into Arizona’s workforce, including in high-demand fields such as health care, education and technology. With more than 90% of students coming from within the state, the majority of graduates remain in Arizona after earning their degrees.