Choosing a College

There are some important things to consider when you decide where to apply for and enroll in college. Many people don't spend much time thinking about them and sometimes end up unhappy as a result. By taking the time to think about these things now, you'll be able to home on in what really matters to you and find the fit that's right.

• Size - Central has approximately 15,000 students on 3 campuses and 6 educational centers.
• Type - Central is a rural community college which specializes in community based learning
• Location & Distance from Home - Central has 3 campuses and 6 centers located throughout Pinal County. Locations include Coolidge, Casa Grande, Winkleman, and Johnson Ranch. We also offer many classes online making your home a Central location as well
• Cost & Financial Aid - Because Central is a community college the tuition is kept low. The 08-09 Tuition and fees can found here. Central also has a full financial aid department to help students pay for their college expenses.
• Student Population - Central’s population is as diverse as Arizona itself. We have students from all walks of life, and with our online classes we have students throughout the world
• Majors and Requirements - From Nursing to Diesel Technologies Centrals programs run a wide gamut of interests. A list of majors can be found here.
• Athletics and Events - Central Athletics is home to 35 National Championships and our Public Events office hosts dozens of events all year around
• Activities and Special Programs - Most of Central’s programs have activities and special opportunities related to their field of study. Central also has many programs for travel and lifelong learning opportunities.
• Your Gut Feeling - If Central fits your needs, come visit us you could be well on your way to finding the college that's right for you. For a tour of one of Central’s campuses please contact us at 520-494-5266

Click here to find more information about choosing a college

Taking the First Step

The first step is often the most difficult step in the admissions process. Once you have decided which college or university you would like to attend, how do you go about applying to that Institution? At Central the first step can be accomplished in two easy ways:

1) The first way would be to visit a Central Arizona College location and visit the student services area at that location. For example: Student Services is located in the M Building on the Signal Peak campus and in Building 200 on the Superstition Mountain Campus. When Visiting a Central Arizona College Center, such as the San Tan Center, simply ask about admission at the front desk. Once you get there ask for a Student Information form. This will serve as your admissions application. Be sure to fill out all parts of the form and give it back admissions.

2) The second way to apply to Central is online. Our online application can be accessed at https://banportal1.centralaz.edu/bannerp/bwskalog.P_DispLoginNon. The online application will take you through a series of questions to establish the type of application, residency, and previous education. Once completed you will be given a message regarding the status of your application.

If you require assistance with your application please call the Customer Service and Technical Support Desk at 520-494-5111 or email the desk at centralhelpdesk@centralaz.edu.

Welcome to the Central Arizona College Admissions blog

The prospect of applying to a college can be a scary one and whether you are coming straight from high school, starting college after being out of school for a while, or transferring to Central from another institution; we aim to make the process of getting started at Central Arizona College a smooth one.  We can help you with filling out an application for admission, determining your residency status, or just answering any questions you may have about Central Arizona College.