Colleges in Surprise, Arizona
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Surprise, Arizona (1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $33,393 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 18.2%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 78% of applicants.
The median net price in Surprise runs about $13,562 higher than the Arizona statewide median of $19,831.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Surprise, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$33,393
After aid
Median grad rate
18.2%
6-year
Median admission rate
78%
Median enrollment
836
Undergrad
All colleges in Surprise
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa University-Surprise Surprise, AZ | AZ | Private nonprofit, 4-year | $33,393 | 18.2% | 78% | 836 | Complete | |
| Western Maricopa Education Center - Northwest Campus Surprise, AZ | AZ | Public, <2-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in Surprise are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Ottawa University-SurpriseNet price: $33,393Grad: 18.2%
Public (1)
Public colleges in Surprise are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- Western Maricopa Education Center - Northwest CampusNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Top programs in Surprise
Most-completed programs across Surprise colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Parks & recreation32.0% of degrees
- Business25.2% of degrees
- Psychology15.3% of degrees
- Communication12.2% of degrees
- Biological sciences6.1% of degrees
- Education3.0% of degrees
- Engineering3.0% of degrees
- Mathematics1.5% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Surprise
Q.How many colleges are in Surprise, Arizona?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Surprise, Arizona that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Private nonprofit, 1 Public.
Q.What is the largest college in Surprise?
By undergraduate enrollment, Ottawa University-Surprise is the largest institution in Surprise with roughly 836 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Surprise?
Based on average net price after aid, Ottawa University-Surprise is the most affordable institution in Surprise at $33,393 per year.
Q.Which Surprise college has the highest graduation rate?
Ottawa University-Surprise reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Surprise institutions at 18.2%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Surprise?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Surprise is $33,393 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Surprise?
Across Surprise colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Parks & recreation, Business, Psychology.
Q.Are there community colleges in Surprise?
Yes — Surprise includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in Arizona
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Surprise that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.