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Sonoran Desert Institute

Private for-profit Tempe, AZ · Urban · Southwest · 67% data
C- Affordability D+ Diversity D Graduation
Graduation Rate
33% D
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Net Price
$20,678 C-
21% more than the typical college
Enrollment
5,435
Graduation -43% vs avg
Net Price 21% vs avg

Bottom line: A D+ overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges.

What The Data Says

  1. A D+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 33% — 43% below the national average.

About Sonoran Desert Institute

Sonoran Desert Institute is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Private for-profit College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
5,435
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Mechanic & Repair Tech

Why students choose Sonoran Desert Institute

Strength in Mechanic & Repair Tech
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

D+
Top 73% overall
C-
Affordability
$20,678/yr net
D
Graduation
33% graduate
D+
Diversity
0.47 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

At Sonoran Desert Institute in Tempe, AZ, students looking to break into the field of mechanic and repair technology will find a focused environment tailored to their ambitions. With an enrollment of over 5,400, the school attracts individuals passionate about hands-on work and technical skills. This is an excellent fit for those who prefer learning by doing and want to dive straight into practical applications.

Life after graduation can be promising for those who complete their studies here. While specific earnings figures aren't available, the school's emphasis on mechanic and repair tech suggests that graduates are likely to find work in a field that's always in demand. The affordability of education is a key factor, too, with a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively manageable compared to many other paths.

When it comes to the bottom line, the net price after aid stands at $20,678. This is important for prospective students to consider as they weigh their options. Those who thrive at Sonoran Desert Institute tend to be self-motivated and eager to engage in hands-on learning, making it a solid choice for individuals ready to jumpstart their careers in a practical, skill-based environment.

Can I Get In?

How selective Sonoran Desert Institute is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Sonoran Desert Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Sonoran Desert Institute, located in Tempe, Arizona, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.

Retention Rate
69%
Full-Time Faculty
5%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$4,691
Diversity Index
0.47
First-Gen Students
50%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sonoran Desert Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Sonoran Desert Institute is $12,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,678. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,144 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$12,200
Out-of-State
$12,200
Avg Net Price
$20,678
Median Debt
$9,500
Pell Grant Rate
33%
Federal Loan Rate
28%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$20,144
Family Income $30K–$48K
$20,584
Family Income $48K–$75K
$20,960
Family Income $110K+
$25,204

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is Sonoran Desert Institute Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (61)
13%
100% (61)
13%
100% (61)
13%
100% (61)
13%

How Sonoran Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation33%Net Price$21KRetention69%Median Debt$10KPell Grant Rate33%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$20K$0-30K$21K$30-48K$21K$48-75K$25K$110K+

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Top Programs

The fields Sonoran Desert Institute awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Sonoran Desert Institute? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Sonoran Desert Institute, located in Tempe, Arizona, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Sonoran Desert Institute? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Sonoran Desert Institute is $12,200, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $20,678. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $20,144 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,500 in federal student loans.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Sonoran Desert Institute.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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