What Is It Known For?
As a member of the Maricopa County Community College District, GateWay Community College offers a wide range of programs to meet the needs of its students. The school serves around 11,000 students each year, making it an important part of Arizona’s largest community college network since 1968 when it was founded.
Degrees & Certifications
Gateway offers a variety of educational pathways, including:
- Associate Degrees: Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Associate of Applied Science
- Certificates: Certificate of Completion (CCL) in various fields
- Diplomas: Diplomas in specialized areas like Nursing, Welding, and HVAC
For a full list of available degrees and certifications, visit the school’s Degrees & Certificates page or contact the school directly.
Class Schedules
GateWay provides flexible scheduling options to accommodate students’ varying needs. Classes are available in the morning, afternoon, and evening, with many programs offering hybrid options that combine online learning with in-person sessions.
For hands-on fields like healthcare, externships and clinical experiences are integrated into the curriculum to provide practical, real-world experience.
Is GateWay Community College Legit?
Yes. GateWay Community College is a legitimate institution. The school is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Additionally, many of its programs hold specific accreditations, such as those from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) for healthcare disciplines. Accreditation Information.
Acceptance Rate
According to the U.S. Department of Education, GateWay has an open admissions policy. This means that the acceptance rate is 100%.
How Much Does It Cost (Tuition)?
Tuition at GateWay Community College varies based on residency status and credit hours. For Maricopa County residents, the tuition is $97 per credit hour, while out-of-county residents pay $326 per credit hour. Out-of-state students are charged $401 per credit hour. For more detailed information, visit the Tuition and Fees page.
Programs & Courses
Business
- Accounting
- Data Analytics
- Entrepreneurial Studies
- Finance
- Leadership
- Marketing
Healthcare
- EKG
- LPN
- Management
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Pharmacy Technician
- Physical Therapist Assisting
- Radiologic Technology
- Respiratory Care
- RN to BSN
- Sonography
- Surgical Tech
Professional Services
- Aesthetician
- Hair Stylist
- Nail Tech
Skilled Trades
- Automotive Services & Maintenance
- Collision Repair
- CNC Machinist
- Electrical Technology
- HVAC
- Welding
Technology
- Android
- AWS
- Cisco
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Linux
- Networking
- Web Development
Campus Locations
18th Street 555 N. 18th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006
Central City 1245 East Buckeye Road Phoenix, AZ 85034
Deer Valley Campus 2931 West Bell Road Phoenix, AZ 85053
Phoenix Forge 535 West Van Buren Street Phoenix, AZ 85003
SouthWest Skill Center 3000 North Dysart Road Avondale, AZ 85392
Washington Campus 108 North 40th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034
Reviews
Based on local Google reviews, GateWay Community College’s Washington Campus has a mixed reputation. While many students praise the quality of its academic programs and the knowledge of its instructors, a significant number of reviews highlight serious and consistent problems with the school’s administration, financial aid, and student support services.
Overall Score: 3.9/5 Stars
Common Praises
Effective Programs and Instructors: Students who successfully complete their programs often praise the quality of the education and the knowledge of their teachers. The Nuclear Medicine, Phlebotomy, and Massage Therapy programs receive specific praise for being well-taught and preparing students for their careers.
Hands-on and Relevant Training: Reviews from graduates of programs like Surgical Technology and Nursing state that the curriculum is “fierce” but prepares them well for board exams and a career in their field.
Affordable Education: A few older reviews note that the school is an affordable option for those looking for a high-quality education without accumulating significant debt.
Common Criticisms
Poor Administrative and Financial Aid Support: This is the most prevalent and severe criticism. Students describe “horrible miscommunication,” being “passed around” between departments, and having to deal with “long wait times” and unhelpful staff. Several reviews mention issues with financial aid being mishandled, leading to students being dropped from their classes without warning.
Harsh Program Environment: One very recent review describes the Surgical Technology program as a “boot camp” with teachers who are “sad, borderline emotional abuse.” The reviewer also notes a lack of emotional support for students.
Lack of Support for Diverse Students: A few older reviews describe instances of mistreatment toward students with disabilities, with one person claiming staff “attacked” them. Another person claims their math and biology instructors were unhelpful.
Disappointing First-Year Experience: Some students, particularly those who are not new to college, feel the required FYE (First Year Experience) class is a “waste of money” and that the instructor was overly critical of their goals.
Momentum
The reviews show a consistent pattern of high-quality instructors in specific programs being a stark contrast to frustrating and unhelpful administrative staff. The administrative and financial aid issues are not new and have been a source of complaints for many years. More recent reviews suggest that while some programs are highly effective, the serious concerns regarding a lack of emotional support and administrative failures continue to persist.