Arizona's premier community college serving Phoenix's north valley with 14,000+ students and 12 NJCAA national championships.
Paradise Valley Community College offers comprehensive transfer and career programs across multiple disciplines. The college features dedicated facilities for life sciences (anatomy, physiology, general biology, biotechnology, microbiology, marine biology, and environmental biology), nursing, fire science, and EMT training. A Learning Resource Center houses the library, computer labs, and tutoring services. The college gained independent accreditation in 1990 after initially operating as an extension of Scottsdale Community College.
The main campus is located in north Scottsdale, Arizona, with a satellite Black Mountain campus serving Cave Creek and Carefree residents. The college features the PVCC Center for the Performing Arts (opened 2005), the Jo and Warren Buxton Library, the Kranitz Student Center, and extensive athletic facilities including baseball and softball fields, track facilities, soccer fields, and tennis courts. The campus displays over 600 Western-themed art pieces donated by faculty-emeritus Dr. Warren Buxton.
PVCC athletics competes in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) with 12 intercollegiate programs: men's and women's soccer, cross country, indoor/outdoor track and field, golf, and tennis, plus baseball and softball. The Pumas have won 12 NJCAA national championships, including women's soccer (2016, 2012, 2010), men's cross country (2022, 2011, 2008, 2004), and women's cross country (2004, 2003, 2002, 1998, 1997). Athletes have earned multiple NJCAA Academic Team of the Year awards.
The college is conveniently located west of State Route 51 and south of the Loop 101 interchange. Valley Metro buses (routes 16 and 186) serve the campus, with additional RAPID service departing from Bell Road and State Route 51 Park-and-Ride.