Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Phoenix, Arizona
Paradise Valley Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$19,032Annual Cost
$47,196Grad Salary
18.7%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$13,478
Need-Based Aid
18.7% receive Pell
Paradise Valley Community College serves north Phoenix and Scottsdale from its 100-acre campus and Black Mountain satellite location. Established in 1985, PVCC has grown into a comprehensive institution offering 100+ degree and certificate programs to over 10,000 students annually. The campus features the 'Center for the Performing Arts,' the 'KSC Science Building' with rooftop observatory, and the 'Union Hills' workforce development center.
PVCC excels in unique programs like forensic science, film production, and sustainability that reflect Arizona workforce needs. The college's 'Honors Program' provides enhanced academic opportunities with guaranteed university transfer. PVCC maintains strong partnerships with Mayo Clinic and the Scottsdale Police Department through customized training. The college's 'MAPP' (My Academic Pathway Plan) system guides students from enrollment through graduation. PVCC's commitment to sustainability includes xeriscaped grounds and solar installations across campus.
Paradise Valley Community College Acceptance Rate
Paradise Valley Community 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.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Paradise Valley Community College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Paradise Valley Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Paradise Valley Community College Test Requirements
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 2026 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.
Can I Get Into Paradise Valley Community College Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Paradise Valley Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Paradise Valley Community College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Paradise Valley Community College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Choose the Traditional Program or CEP deliberately - they're structurally different pathways to different outcomes
PVCC offers both a Traditional Program (leading to an AAS only, with transfer to a university afterward if desired) and a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP), which lets you earn your AAS and a partner university's BSN simultaneously. If a BSN is your real goal, CEP is the more direct route, but if not placed, CEP applicants must reapply every single cycle (versus every two years for Traditional applicants) - understand this reapplication-frequency tradeoff before choosing which application to submit, since it affects how often you're back in the applicant pool if not placed the first time.
Score above the exact HESI A2 threshold on a single attempt - there is no averaging across retakes
MaricopaNursing requires 80% or higher in English Composition and 75% or higher in Math on the HESI A2, and these scores must be satisfied on a single attempt of the test - not accumulated as your best-ever section scores across multiple sittings. Treat your first HESI attempt as the one that has to clear both bars simultaneously; a strong English score on one attempt and a strong Math score on a different attempt won't combine to qualify you.
Get your AZ DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card moving 8-10 weeks before you need it - applications are rejected without it upfront
Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card already in hand - this isn't a "complete it after admission" item, and the DPS itself says to allow 8-10 weeks for processing. Start this specific bureaucratic process (not the HESI, not coursework) the moment you decide nursing is your direction, since it has the longest external lead time of any single requirement and can't be expedited by working harder academically.
Note that the Nurse Assistant (NA) requirement is temporarily paused - use the window, but don't assume it's permanent
Effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, MaricopaNursing has paused its Nurse Assisting (NA) certification requirement for RN program applications - a genuine, dated, temporary policy change. If you're applying in this window, you can skip building CNA experience specifically to satisfy this requirement (though real healthcare exposure still strengthens an application generally); but if your planning extends past June 2027, don't assume the pause continues, and check MaricopaNursing's current policy before finalizing a multi-year plan around its absence.
Expert Insight:
Because PVCC nursing operates on a district-wide MaricopaNursing system spanning eight colleges with one shared application intake period (specifically April 6-May 28, 2026 for Fall 2026/Spring 2027 block one), applicants sometimes miss that offers roll out gradually - first email acceptances go out the week of June 18, but offers continue being sent for up to two weeks after that as seats fill, and applicants not placed aren't notified until the week of July 13. Treat "no email yet" in late June as normal, not as an automatic rejection signal, and don't make alternate enrollment decisions prematurely based on early silence.
Paradise Valley Community College Profile
Full Name
Paradise Valley Community College
City
Phoenix
State
Arizona
ZIP Code
85032
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Paradise Valley Community College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Paradise Valley Community College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Paradise Valley Community College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Paradise Valley Community College is $69,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 2.77%.
How much does a degree from Paradise Valley Community College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Paradise Valley Community College is $19,032. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Paradise Valley Community College is $13,478.
18.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 6.8 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Paradise Valley Community College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Paradise Valley Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Paradise Valley Community College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Paradise Valley Community College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $47,196. An average Paradise Valley Community 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 $40,595.
Degree Programs at Paradise Valley Community College
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Paradise Valley Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About Paradise Valley Community College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $47,196 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $19,032 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
18.7% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
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.
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.