Surging Tech Talent Pool
Arizona’s dynamic tech talent ecosystem is reflected by the state’s leading companies, from the smallest startups to the largest household names. Skills, diversity and mobility are abundant in Arizona. The state has cemented itself as one of the fastest-growing tech centers in the nation, catalyzing a surge in tech talent and jobs.
MOST INNOVATIVE UNIVERSITY FOR 10 CONSECUTIVE YEARS
Arizona State University
U.S. News & World Report, 2016-2025
UNDERGRADUATE MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS PROGRAM
University of Arizona
US News & World Report, 2025
TECH TALENT PIPELINE
Business Facilities Magazine State Ranking Report, 2021
T&I INDUSTRY DIRECT JOBS
Education
Arizona’s investment in building a reliable talent pipeline starts with its innovative universities, community colleges and programs. Degrees and certificates earned in the state are concentrated in computer and information science, engineering and business programs.
offering technology
& innovation programs
technology & innovation degrees and certificates granted in 2020
EIGHT Consecutive Years
U.S. News & World Report,
2016-2023
U.S. National Academy of Investors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association, 2021
Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe is one of the nation’s largest colleges and universities. The innovative university excels in engineering, automated systems, blockchain and cybersecurity concentrations. ASU is home to the highly regarded Ira Fulton Schools of Engineering, where students specialize in computer science, information technology and software engineering. In 2019, the university had more than $115 million in engineering research and development expenditures. ASU offers a master’s program in robotics and autonomous systems with more than 20 world-class robotics and engineering labs, including the Blockchain Research Lab and the Center for Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics. Through these immersive experiences, students learn to advance the research and development of blockchain-based technologies for use in business, finance and computer science, as well as develop high-impact solutions to real-world cybersecurity challenges.
SkySong, the ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, is a 1.2 million-square-foot mixed-use development designed to help companies grow by providing business services and programs offered or facilitated by Arizona State University. There are more than 50 companies based at SkySong, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
undergraduate management information systems program
U.S. News & World Report, 2021
Entrepreneurship Program
among public universities
U.S. News & World Report, 2021
The University of Arizona (U of A) in Tucson is ranked among the best schools in the country. Its top-ranked programs in Management Information Systems focus on the application of information systems to the business environment. U of A also received the fifth most NASA funding among all universities for research, including developing CubeSats. Tech Launch Arizona works to launch research and inventions from U of A students and researchers through commercial pathways. U of A's College of Electrical and Computer Engineering houses multidisciplinary research centers that support internationally recognized research in robotics communications, circuits, microelectronics, optics and photonics. The Cyber Operations program at U of A is one of the nation’s largest cybersecurity programs, prepping students for cyber-related occupations in defense, law enforcement and private industries.
The University of Arizona manages UA Tech Parks, a 1,345-acre state-of-the-art research campus and incubator in Tucson. Tech Parks is home to emerging companies and industry giants, including Citi, IBM, Oracle Corporation, Raytheon and Siemens. In addition, the UA Center for Innovation is a startup incubator network, offering STEM startups the expertise and connections of the university.
Northern Arizona University (NAU) in Flagstaff offers 142 undergraduate and 106 graduate degree and certificate programs that include business, computer information technology and engineering programs.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott is home to the College of Security and Intelligence, a first-of-its-kind program dedicated entirely to cybersecurity. Future security and intelligence professionals go to Embry-Riddle to become highly skilled in the research and outreach of international security and global intelligence.
Beyond offering an extensive array of standard certificate and degree programs, the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) works directly with local employers to develop customized training curricula so employees obtain skills that companies value. MCCCD, the largest community college system in the nation, recently partnered with global innovation leader Intel to launch the nation's first artificial intelligence (AI) degree program. The program will help to fill a skills gap in AI technology. MCCCD also collaborated with Microsoft to provide military veterans opportunities to earn certifications in information technology. In addition, the Associate in Applied Science degree focuses on engineering and robotics technologies. These programs provide students with the fundamentals of physics, engineering, computer hardware and programming.
Mesa Community College offers programs in applied technology, entrepreneurialism and computer technology. Students learn how to design and develop high-tech equipment, code programming and web design, and solve problems through research and design. In 2018, the college was one of the first community colleges in the country to provide a blockchain technology certificate.
Gateway Community College offers a range of technology programs including computer information systems and cybersecurity. The Center for Entrepreneurial Innovation (CEI) at Gateway Community College in Phoenix provides services, space and support to early-stage and startup companies. CEI client companies represent various industries including emerging technologies, software development, bioscience and renewable energy.
Pima Community College (PCC) is a two-year college with six locations spread across Pima County providing workforce development, career training programs, continuing education and more. PCC is proud to be the first in the nation to implement an Autonomous Vehicle Driver and Operations program developed in collaboration with TuSimple.
Arizona’s Joint Technical Education Districts (JTEDs) offer Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs to prepare students for jobs in industries that are important to Arizona’s future. Relevant programs offered at Arizona’s JTEDs include: