Academic Programs & Learning

Academics at Pima Community College — retention rates, distance education, enrollment intensity, and student support.

What About Academic Quality at Pima Community College?

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

18:1

Average students per faculty member

👨‍🏫

Full-Time Retention

68%

Students continuing to second year

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Part-Time Retention

51%

Part-time students continuing

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How Pima Community College Compares

Retention at Pima Community College runs at 68%, fairly typical for the trade-college space. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio suggests an institution operating at familiar academic-quality benchmarks rather than pushing them.

Understanding Academic Quality Metrics

Student-Faculty Ratio: A ratio of 18:1 means there are approximately 18 students for every faculty member. This moderate ratio balances personalized attention with institutional capacity.

Retention Rates: These show the percentage of students who return for their second year. Higher retention rates typically indicate student satisfaction, academic support, and program quality.

Graduation Rate Survey Cohort: 17% of entering students are tracked for graduation outcomes.

Who Teaches at Pima Community College?

Total Teaching Staff
250
Instructional faculty
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
18:1
Students per instructor
Faculty Diversity
21%
Underrepresented minorities

Understanding Faculty Composition

Pima Community College's 250 instructional staff members bring hands-on expertise to the classroom. Tenured faculty make up 100% of the teaching staff.

How Successful Are Students at Pima Community College?

Student Retention Rates

68.0%
First-Time Full-Time
Good
51.0%
First-Time Part-Time
Fair

Retention Rate Comparison

First-Time Full-Time
68.0%

New full-time students returning for second year

First-Time Part-Time
51.0%

New part-time students returning for second year

Cohort Information

Cohort Year:2024 academic year

Student Success Analysis

Full-Time Success:68% retention rate shows moderate student engagement with room for improvement.

Retention Impact: Higher retention rates indicate student satisfaction, academic success, and effective institutional support systems.

Retention rates measure how many students return each year. At Pima Community College, 68% of students continue — a figure worth considering alongside program quality and career outcomes.

Where Do Online Students at Pima Community College Come From?

Geographic distribution of students enrolled exclusively in online courses (Fall 2024 census)

Exclusively Online
5,143
of 16,283 total (31.6%)
Some Online Courses
3,421
of 16,283 total (21%)

Where exclusively-online students are located

Same state (AZ) 4,423 (86%)
Other US states 692 (13.5%)
Outside the US 3 (0.1%)
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About this data: The geographic breakdown above uses IPEDS Fall Enrollment census data, which captures a single-day snapshot. The enrollment figures in the "How Do Students Learn?" section above use 12-month unduplicated headcount, which typically shows higher numbers as it covers the full academic year. Both are official IPEDS data — they measure different things.

86% of Pima Community College's exclusively online students are located in AZ. An additional 13% study from other US states.

What Is the Academic Load at Pima Community College?

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Analysis

12,720
Total FTE
12,720
Undergraduate FTE

FTE Analysis

Study Intensity:78.1% FTE ratio indicates many students attend part-time

Academic Load: FTE represents the equivalent of full-time students based on credit hours, helping compare institutional capacity regardless of part-time enrollment.

Full-Time Equivalent enrollment at Pima Community College standardizes headcount by weighting part-time students proportionally. This gives a more accurate view of institutional capacity.

How Intensively Do Students Study at Pima Community College?

Student Enrollment Intensity

The Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ratio shows the average course load intensity. An FTE ratio of 1.0 means all students attend full-time, while lower values indicate more part-time enrollment.

78.1%
FTE Ratio
Intensity LevelModerate

A mix of full-time and part-time students, offering flexibility for those balancing work, family, and education.

Undergraduate FTE
12,720
Total FTE
12,720
Headcount
16,283

FTE represents student enrollment adjusted for course load. Two half-time students equal 1 FTE.

FTE Ratio Scale

< 0.5
Low
0.5-0.65
Mod-Low
0.65-0.8
Moderate
0.8-0.95
High
≥ 0.95
Very High

At Pima Community College, the FTE-to-headcount ratio is 0.78, which indicates how many students are attending full-time versus part-time.

Academic Support & Resources

Academic Advising

Students have access to academic advisors who can help with course selection, degree planning, and career guidance. Contact the admissions office to learn about advising services.

Student Success Services

Many institutions offer tutoring, study groups, and academic success workshops. These resources help students develop study skills and overcome academic challenges.

For detailed information about academic support services, tutoring hours, and learning resources, contact Pima Community College directly at 5202064500 or visit their website .

Key Academic Highlights

  • Student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1 supports personalized learning
  • 250 instructional staff with 100% holding tenured positions
  • Flexible scheduling options accommodate working students and adult learners
  • Online students from AZ and beyond (13% out-of-state)
  • Strong retention rates demonstrate student satisfaction and academic support

Ready to Learn More About Academics at Pima Community College?

Contact the admissions office to discuss academic programs, support services, and learning options.

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