Rio Salado College is an innovative community college serving Arizona's Maricopa County through online education and neighborhood locations. Established in 1978, Rio Salado has grown into one of America's largest online community colleges, serving over 30,000 students annually. The college operates 20+ 'RioLearn' locations across the Phoenix metro area.
Rio Salado excels in flexible education with courses starting weekly and accelerated 8-week terms. The college offers 100+ degree and certificate programs with particular strengths in public safety, healthcare, and business administration. Rio's 'Prior Learning Assessment' allows students to earn credit for work experience. The college maintains strong partnerships with Phoenix Police Department and Banner Health for workforce training. Rio Salado's 'Dual Enrollment' program serves thousands of high school students statewide. The college's commitment to accessibility includes 24/7 online tutoring and advising services.
Rio Salado College Acceptance Rate
Rio Salado College maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem .
Rio Salado College Admission Requirements
Admission Chance Predictor
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Rio Salado College SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. For the 2026 academic cycle, the landscape of standardized testing has shifted back toward Test-Required policies at the majority of highly selective and Ivy+ institutions. Following a multi-year "Test-Optional" pilot, data-driven results have led universities like Harvard, Yale, Brown, and the University of Texas at Austin to reinstate the SAT and ACT as mandatory components of the application.
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2025 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Rio Salado College Profile
Name: Rio Salado College
Accredited by: Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
How much does a degree from Rio Salado College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Rio Salado College is USD: 13740. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Rio Salado College is USD: 8764
How can I get a scholarship?
7.3% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 4.46 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Rio Salado College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Rio Salado College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Rio Salado College as your choice in the form.
How much a Rio Salado College Graduate make?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 41015. An average Rio Salado College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595
Degree Programs
Bachelor Degree Programs
- Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods
Associate Degree Programs
- Accounting and Related Services
- Air Transportation
- Anthropology
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
- Biology, General
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- Business Operations Support and Assistant Services
- Business/Commerce, General
Frequently Asked Questions About Rio Salado College Admissions
Answer: Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $41015 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
Question: What is the tuition fee?
Answer: The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $13740 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
Question: What are my chances of getting a scholarship ?
Answer: Your chances of getting a scholarship are lower, 50% or less. It's important to apply early and showcase a strong academic profile.
Question: Is it possible to transfer from another university?
Answer: Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
Question: How can I improve my chances of getting Admissions?
Answer: To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
Full list of All degree programs offered by Rio Salado College.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2025, US Department of Education's latest 2025 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.