Sonoran Desert Institute

1555 W University Dr., Suite 103
Tempe, AZ 85281
Top Ranked (2025): View Rankings

School Highlights

Sonoran Desert Institute serves 3,009 students (73% of students are full-time).
Minority enrollment is 95% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 61%.

Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 3,009 students
  • Minority enrollment: 95%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Top Rankings

Sonoran Desert Institute ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Arizona for:

School Overview

Sonoran Desert Institute
(AZ) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Not applicable, not in Carnegie universe (not accredited or nondegree-granting)
Baccalaureate/Associate's Colleges: Mixed Baccalaureate/Associate's
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Private for-profit
Public
Total Faculty
n/a
202 staff

Student Body

The student population of Sonoran Desert Institute has grown by 51% over five years.
The Sonoran Desert Institute diversity score of 0.43 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has grown by 21% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,009 students
5,392 students
This chart displays the total enrollment of Sonoran Desert Institute and community college average number of enrollment of Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
Student : Teacher Ratio
n/a
22:1
# Full-Time Students
2,196 students
1,208 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time students enrollment of Sonoran Desert Institute and average number of community college Full-time students enrollment of Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Part-Time Students
813 students
4,184 students
This chart displays the total number of Part-time students enrollment of Sonoran Desert Institute and average number of community college Part-time students enrollment of Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
This chart displays the Full-time students and Part-time students enrollment breakdown of Sonoran Desert Institute.
This chart displays community college average Full-Time students and Part-Time students enrollment breakdown of Arizona.
# Enrollment Undergraduate
n/a
339 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
2,196 students
1,238 students
This chart displays the total number of Full-time undergraduate students enrollment of Sonoran Desert Institute and average number of community college Full-time undergraduate  students enrollment of Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
66 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
813 students
5,400 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
250 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
1%
3%
% Asian
5%
4%
% Hispanic
n/a
36%
% Black
12%
7%
% White
5%
39%
% Hawaiian
74%
2%
This chart displays the percentage of Hawaiian students in Sonoran Desert Institute and the percentage of Hawaiian community college students in Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
% Two or more races
3%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
4%
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Sonoran Desert Institute.
This chart displays the percentage breakdown of students of all ethnic groups in Arizona.
Diversity Score
0.43
0.71
This chart displays the diversity score of Sonoran Desert Institute and the community college average diversity score of Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.611%
0.4914%
This chart displays completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Sonoran Desert Institute and community college average completion rates for First-Time of Full-time students of Arizona by year, with the latest 2023-24 school year data.
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.6%

Tuition and Acceptance Rate

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
40%
82%
This chart displays the percent of students who is receiving some financial aid in Sonoran Desert Institute and the percent of community college students who is receiving some financial aid in Arizona by year, with the latest 2022-23 school year data.
Median Debt for Graduates
$14,750
$9,499
This chart displays median debt for students who have completed a certificate or degree in Sonoran Desert Institute and average median debt for community college students who have completed a certificate or degree in Arizona by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Median Debt for Dropouts
$4,750
$4,749
This chart displays median debt for students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Sonoran Desert Institute and average median debt for community college students who have not completed a certificate or degree in Arizona by year, with the latest 2017-18 school year data.
Acceptance Rate
n/a
100%
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Profile last updated: 08/14/2024

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sonoran Desert Institute's ranking?
Sonoran Desert Institute ranks among the top 20% of community college in Arizona for: Average community college minority breakdown.

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Quick Stats (2025)

  • Enrollment: 3,009 students
  • Minority enrollment: 95%
  • Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Related School Videos

Did You Know?

For Maricopa County, AZ public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,570 per year for in-state students and $8,581 for out-of-state students. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

Maricopa County, AZ community colleges have a diversity score of 0.67, which is lower than the national average of 0.74. The most diverse community college in Maricopa County, AZ is Brookline College-Phoenix. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.

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