Career Training Path › Arizona › Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College
Tempe, Arizona · Public college · Training programs available:
Address: 2323 W 14th St, Tempe, AZ 85281 · Phone: (480) 517-8000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Rio Salado College is a public trade and career school in Tempe, Arizona, offering plumbing, electrician, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, graduates of Rio Salado College carry a median debt of $9,500 and earn a median of $41,015 ten years after entry; campus completion rate versus the state average is not reported.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Rio Salado College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and about 6.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $45,640 | $62,070 | $79,610 |
| Electricians | $45,540 | $61,060 | $77,060 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,660 | $49,570 | $65,360 |
| Dental hygienists | $91,480 | $101,010 | $105,990 |
| Construction laborers | $36,770 | $46,590 | $51,620 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $33,860 | $39,500 | $48,350 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 83 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 71 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Associate degree | 18 | not reported | $52,941 | $8,125 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 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
Rio Salado College is a public trade and career school in Tempe, Arizona, located in a midsize city setting. The campus is accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation and by the Higher Learning Commission, and it is a Title IV institution, meaning students can use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants to help pay for their education. Rio Salado awards trade credentials across six program families, with the largest concentrations in plumbing schools, electrician schools, and auto mechanic schools, alongside dental hygiene, construction trades, and EMT training programs.
Federal data shows 196 trade program completers out of an undergraduate enrollment of 11,668. The campus completion rate compared to the state average is not reported for this campus in federal data, though the state average completion rate is 64.4%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $41,015. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 6.8% of students receive Pell Grants.
This campus may suit students pursuing focused trade credentials such as plumbing or electrician training, as well as those considering dental hygiene or EMT programs, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Career changers should confirm program formats and schedules directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and see the most current federal outcome figures, check with the Higher Learning Commission or the American Dental Association's accrediting body, and review the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard listing for this institution.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Rio Salado College offers six trade program families, with the largest being plumbing schools (83), electrician schools (71), and auto mechanic schools (21), plus dental hygiene, construction trades, and EMT training.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Rio Salado College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its dental programs, by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Rio Salado College is a Title IV institution, so students can use federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The campus completion rate compared to the state average is not reported for this campus in federal data. The state average completion rate is 64.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates of Rio Salado College carry a median debt of $9,500, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings for graduates 10 years after entry are $41,015, per federal Scorecard data.
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 directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Rio Salado College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition rates and public accountability standards compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission or the American Dental Association, and review outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?105668.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
Program length and schedule details needed to assess career-changer fit are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school for program-specific licensing information.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Rio Salado College at (480) 517-8000 or visit https://www.rio.maricopa.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported for this campus in federal data; consult the College Scorecard to compare institutions directly.
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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.