Trade and career programs at Rio Salado College
Certificate and associate programs in the trades we track. One-year earnings are for graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, four-year earnings for graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, both in 2024 dollars.
| Program | Credential | Graduates (2023-24) | Earnings 1 yr after | Earnings 4 yrs after | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMT, surgical tech and imaging | Certificate | 97 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Electrician | Certificate | 80 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Auto and diesel mechanic | Certificate | 73 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Plumbing | Certificate | 65 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Certificate | 25 | $39,175 | n/a | n/a |
| Paralegal | Associate degree | 15 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Dental assisting and hygiene | Associate degree | 15 | $72,419 | $54,628 | $9,000 |
| Carpentry | Certificate | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Rio Salado College cost
| Tuition and fees (2025-26) | $2,358 |
|---|---|
| Total cost of attendance (2024-25) | $12,828 |
| Average net price after grants (2024-25) | $5,978 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $5,475 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $5,465 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $6,835 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $7,398 |
| Over $110,000 | $11,290 |
Program prices often differ from the school-wide figure, and tools, uniforms or licensing exams can add to them. Ask the school for the full price of the program you want.
Outcomes and students
- Former students earned a median of $42,589 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
- Students who completed left with a median of $6,750 in federal student loans.
- 8.3% of students receive a federal Pell Grant.
- Accredited by Higher Learning Commission.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Rio Salado College cost?
Tuition and fees are $2,358 a year (2025-26). After grants, aided students paid an average net price of $5,978 in 2024-25.
How much do Rio Salado College graduates earn?
Dental assisting and hygiene associate degree graduates had the highest median earnings of the programs we track: $72,419 one year after finishing.
Is Rio Salado College accredited?
Rio Salado College is accredited by Higher Learning Commission, according to the Department of Education.
Other trade schools nearby
- Aveda Institute-Phoenix, Tempe: $20,700 a year
- Bryan University, Tempe: $12,321 a year
- Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, Tempe: $21,400 a year
- Sessions College, Tempe: $8,240 a year
- Sonoran Desert Institute, Tempe: $12,200 a year
- Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, Tempe: $15,975 a year
More: all trade schools in Arizona · Rio Salado College on the College Scorecard
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (institution and field of study files), data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. What each figure covers.