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Eastern Arizona College
Thatcher, Arizona · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 615 N. Stadium Ave., Thatcher, AZ 85552 · Phone: (928) 428-8272 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Eastern Arizona College is a public trade and career school in Thatcher, AZ offering HVAC, construction trades, and phlebotomy programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Eastern Arizona College reports median earnings 10 years after entry of $38,018, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard; the school's own completion rate and median graduate debt are not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Eastern Arizona College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and 15.9% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,950 | $59,400 | $73,810 |
| Construction laborers | $36,770 | $46,590 | $51,620 |
| Phlebotomists | $38,090 | $46,260 | $47,840 |
| Nursing assistants | $37,100 | $44,780 | $46,630 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $39,970 | $55,600 | $65,660 |
| Medical assistants | $38,100 | $45,940 | $48,450 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $31,050 | $36,810 | $45,520 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,660 | $49,570 | $65,360 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $61,050 | $77,070 | $81,860 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $33,860 | $39,500 | $48,350 |
| Manicurists and pedicurists | $30,800 | $35,290 | $36,650 |
| Machinists | $40,290 | $61,080 | $66,460 |
| Dental assistants | $38,500 | $49,000 | $57,880 |
| Medical records specialists | $36,530 | $47,630 | $61,350 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $33,970 | $59,890 | $74,990 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Arizona (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 215 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 50 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 43 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 32 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Mason/Masonry | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 18 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Eastern Arizona College is a public trade and career school located in Thatcher, Arizona, a remote-town setting. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this campus. Among its 28 trade and career program offerings, the most-awarded are HVAC schools (216 completions), construction trades programs (66), and phlebotomy classes (50), within a broader set of program families that includes welding, medical assistant, cosmetology, auto mechanics, LPN, EMT, CNC machining, dental assistant, medical billing and coding, and culinary programs.
Looking at the outcome numbers reported for this campus: the statewide average completion rate for comparable schools is 64.4%, but Eastern Arizona College's own completion rate and how it compares to that state average are not reported for this campus in federal data. Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,018. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 15.9% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating some share of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.
With 509 trade completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 2,643, this campus serves a mix of short-term certificate seekers and longer-term students. The range of program families, from short certificate tracks like phlebotomy to more extensive fields like HVAC and construction trades, suggests options for both new entrants and adult career-changers, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and review full outcome data directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Eastern Arizona College offers 28 trade and career programs, with the most completions in HVAC schools (216), construction trades programs (66), and phlebotomy classes (50). Other program families include welding, medical assistant, cosmetology, auto mechanics, LPN, EMT, CNC machining, dental assistant, medical billing and coding, and culinary programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Eastern Arizona College is accredited. It holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for programs here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate for this specific campus is not reported in federal data, though the state average completion rate for comparable schools is 64.4%. Contact the school or check the College Scorecard for more detail.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt of graduates is not reported for this campus in federal data. Prospective students can contact the school directly or check the College Scorecard link for updates.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are reported at $38,018 for this campus, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school at (928) 428-8272 or visit eac.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Eastern Arizona College is a public institution, which typically means it receives state funding and often has lower published tuition than for-profit schools, though this campus's specific cost figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data for this campus. Contact the school directly to confirm the duration of specific programs like HVAC, construction trades, or phlebotomy.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status through the Higher Learning Commission and the program-specific accreditors listed, and review federal outcome data directly at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?104577.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data shows a mix of shorter programs like phlebotomy classes and larger, more involved programs like HVAC and construction trades, which may suit different schedules and goals. Specific fit for adult career-changers, such as evening or accelerated formats, is not reported for this campus in federal data.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements after completing a program are not detailed in the available data. Contact the school directly at (928) 428-8272 to ask about licensing pathways for specific programs.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Eastern Arizona College by phone at (928) 428-8272 or visit their website at https://www.eac.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data against other nearby trade schools is not reported in this dataset. The College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?104577 can be used to look up and compare other institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Arizona
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See all trade and career schools in Arizona or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.