Here’s how working Arizonans can return to school

It’s never too late to go back to school. But returning to the classroom is a commitment. It means finding time around a current job to pay the bills — and paying tuition on top of that.

Arizona is a top-10 state in terms of people per capita considering returning to school. And there’s good reason that so many in the Grand Canyon State are seeking continued education.

Almost seven out of 10 of all the state’s jobs require some sort of postsecondary education, including a degree, certification or license, according to Education Forward Arizona.

In fact, Western Governors University’s 2025-2026 Workforce Decoded Report found that 67% of 113 employers polled from the Southwest viewed degrees as still being significant, while 42% saw them as being equally important as a candidate’s experience.

In February 2026, a survey of 726 adults who had gone back to school within the last couple of years found that 60% of the respondents returned to school to land higher-paying jobs. Another 34% cited the fear of being eliminated by artificial intelligence or automation as a contributing factor.

If you are thinking about advancing your education, here’s how you can get it done.

Western Governors University’s approach breaks down common barriers

Some of the barriers that could make a return to school daunting include:

• Tuition and fees
• Assuming new debt
• Work causing time constraints
• Family/caregiving responsibilities
• Uncertainty regarding return on investment

Western Governors University (WGU), an online institution, offers flexible and accessible education at a time when studies show many working adults are looking to return to school to further their careers.

WGU students pay a flat tuition rate every six months and are allowed to complete as many courses as they’re able during that time. The school also offers scholarships of up to $3,000. In 2025, WGU awarded a total of more than $55 million in need-based scholarships.

In addition, its competency-based education enables students to complete courses on their own time by taking assessments to prove their competence in the subject, rather than waiting for the semester to be completed.

While working to obtain their online degree, every WGU student has a dedicated mentor who assists in creating a personalized plan and provides support through regular check-ins.

Those interested in earning a degree, certificate or license in business, technology, education, health or nursing from the university can apply online.

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