Paradise Valley Community College

Phoenix, United States

3.7

19 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 602-787-6500
Website:
www.paradisevalley.edu
Address:
18401 N 32 St, Phoenix, AZ, 85034
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Today

Today –
Local time (Phoenix) 00:15 Sunday, 22 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 8:00 am – 2:30 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is one of ten colleges, two skill centers, a corporate college and multiple satellite centers of the Maricopa County Community College District, an organization dedicated to educational excellence and to meeting the needs of businesses and the community of citizens in Maricopa County, Arizona. PVCC serves a predominately residential area in northeast Phoenix and northern Maricopa County. The college offers traditional programs in general education and transfer degrees as well as certificates and degrees in a number of occupational fields.

History

Established in 1987.

PVCC was established in 1985 as the Northeast Valley Education Center, a division of Scottsdale Community College. In 1987, classes were offered at the current location under the name Paradise Valley Community College Center. The college has grown from a per-​semester enrollment in 1987 of 3,700 to 9,477 (Fall 2013). The college’s unduplicated headcount per year is over 14,000 (Fall 2013).

Meet the Manager

Paul D.

Manager

Dr. Paul A. Dale was appointed president of Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) in March 2010. He served in the capacity of interim president during two previous time periods — from August 2008 to March 2010, and from August 2003 through September 2004. Dr. Dale has been an administrator at PVCC since 1997 where he served initially as the Associate Dean of Student Development, and then, most recently as the Vice President of Learning Support Services. As Vice President he provided leadership for the student development, learning support services, and learning technology services areas.

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Nearby

Near this location:
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Paradise Valley Comunity College 18401 N. 32nd Street
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Paradise Valley Community College Fitness Center
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Paradise Valley Park Golf Course
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19 reviews of Paradise Valley Community College

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Phoenix, AZ
I have taken several classes here after being offered a scholarship. I switched to a different scholarship later on, and needed to have my classes held until the scholarship money went through. Phoenix College had no problem doing this, however, Paradise Valley CC acted as if they’ve never heard of a scholarship before. I was transferred from cashier to financial aid and then back again, not to mention, I was hung up on by the financial aid department and the cashiers office. Absolutely unprofessional and absurd. I will never take a class here again.
Place rating: 4
Scottsdale, AZ
I attended a summer class here. My usual school is Scottsdale Community College, but PVCC has classes over a wider range of dates, which is convenient for me.
The advisors — awesome!
The cafeteria design — awesome.
The cafeteria FOOD? — not so awesome. There’s basically row upon row of fried chicken and french fries, alongside one pitiful bowl of lettuce. You can ask the chef to make you a hamburger. Personally, I always stick to the chicken and cheese quesadilla. It’s the only good meal within 50 feet of the kitchen.
The professors — I’ve only had one. He’s okay. He doesn’t have any online presence whatsoever and is a bit of a mess. But he’s kind. And besides, one professor does not determine the quality of a school. We all know this. ;)
Overall, I would attend PVCC again.
Place rating: 3
Phoenix, AZ
Updates from 2 years ago:
I have had some good professors especially with the higher level classes.
Dr. Bains with organic chemistry I and II very step by step thorough approach.
Dr. Doyle Bio II 182 Lots to memorize but very organized.
I enjoyed his labs.
His exams are all essay/​short answer.
Dr. Hoyt Microbiology: he wants us to use complete sentences and write a full report at the end of the semester.
Lots of work, but his tests are all essay /​easy.
(prolly cuz I’m good at regurgitating info and BSing)
Certain professors weren’t as organized or methodical as others.
Their new KSC academic advising is the bomb (during the school day anyways). Fast, friendly and helpful.
Downside: Schedules are not very accommodating for working students, esp since student services close so early.
I like the CPA (center of performing arts) as they have very affordable productions throughout the year, at least for us students.
Place rating: 1
Surprise, AZ
Oh my word. This review is strictly a review of the dance show that was put on for Dec. 5th and 6th. I thought it was great that everyone taking a dance class no matter what the age or gender or experience was able to perform. However if I had a child taking college dance to who took it seriously and wanted to go somewhere with it Paradise Community College would not be a place I would recommend. We appreciate the time that went into setting up and putting it together but some of the routines were VERY disturbing but some were very good and tasteful. All the performers did a great job.
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
I’ll be honest, I was skeptical about attending paradise valley community college at first. I transferred from a four years university to PVCC due to financial issues but upon arriving to this campus, I was treated very kindly. The staff are knowledgable and kind. After attending it for a semester, I fell in love with it. This school really does have high standards and expectations. I have enjoyed the education that I have been receiving here so far. The prices set for the credits are extremely reasonable and affordable. The bookstore is managed very well– the bookstore staff are very knowledgable and friendly. My only complaint is please work on your advising department. Very few of the advisors are trained, knowledgable and reliable while others aren’t…
Place rating: 5
Mesa, AZ
Attending PVCC was the best decision I made coming out of High School. Not knowing what I wanted to major in, going to PVCC gave me the time to explore my options and find something I am passionate about at a very affordable price. The teachers here are absolutely amazing, they have all helped me succeed academically and the staff is all very friendly. The relationships I have made here at PVCC will last a life time and I am so glad that I have a little community to come to on campus. There are many opportunities to get involved and create change not only at school, but also in the community. I would recommend anyone to come to PVCC, the education level is amazing and the people really make going to school enjoyable.
Place rating: 5
Scottsdale, AZ
This is a find. I’m a UCLA grad and completely impressed with how much the teachers care for the students at PVCC. Honestly everything about this place has made me smile. I had the extreme privilege of being in two of Dr. Lois Roma-Deeley’s Creative Writing classes. She was the teacher of the year – any community college, any subject in the nation awarded by the Carnegie foundation last year. And she teaches here. Thanks PVCC and Dr. Lois, particularly
.
Place rating: 4
Phoenix, AZ
I just started my classes here and rather enjoy this campus and location. It is much cosier than the layout of GCC and a closer building layout. I enjoy my classes here and would recommend this school to others.
Place rating: 3
Phoenix, AZ
The people in Financial aid office don’t care. I apply for fafsa 3 months before classes week before school starts i get dropped from my classes. The woman told me to put money down to keep my classes and next time take more responsibility and don’t till the last min. Also they didn’t give me my full refund from my grant but I was told that also my fault.
Place rating: 4
Phoenix, AZ
I am enrolled here simply to use the Fitness Facility and have not taken classes. That being said, the gentleman that provided my Student ID and parking pass was extremely friendly, helpful and a bit amusing. Everyone I have met that works at the Fitness Facility is extremely friendly and helpful. Their fitness facility might not be the fanciest one in town, but it is one of the best values. The only downside for me is that the fitness area is closed on school holidays. Hopefully, the current construction will be over soon and I’ll get to check out the new building on the campus. I have yet to check out the library I have access to and hope to review that soon.
Place rating: 4
Phoenix, AZ
I have also attended SCC in Scottsdale, and I really prefer this campus. The course offerings are endless, the faculty is helpful and approachable, and the campus is being renovated for the better! The library is large, with plenty of tables inside, outside, and another computer lab right across the hall. Free wifi for students, too.
I’ve only had a couple of instructors that I didn’t care for, but I will say, everyone speaks English perfectly! I have mostly really enjoyed my classes, and when I found myself getting bored, I picked a different major. I think that’s what a lot of people do, and they should. The world doesn’t need another next generation who hates what they do. So explore here, and find out what you do like. They have a great transfer program also. I am looking forward to attending ASU downtown in the future. I only go part time to school, so when I started, ASU downtown wasn’t an option yet. Who knows what other great choices there are to come?
I especially love the Fitness Center! Get college credit to work out? Yeah!
Place rating: 5
Scottsdale, AZ
After startingmy adventures in Phoenix @ Scottsdale community college i learned the hard way that not everything in Scottsdale is grander. I love paradise. It appears to be very clean, and the staff is definitely more patient, friendly and professional. Vie got the lay out of this place down after just. 1 week.
The library is big and quiet, plenty of easy to find bathrooms, lost of freebies and the teachers are all real teachers that speak normal english unlike scottsdale community college.
Place rating: 4
Phoenix, AZ
Love the school. Majority of the teachers are great, classes are small, quite a bit of variety. Parking is horrible, but its free. Food is expensive.
Financial Office isn’t worth much at helping students or being able to answer questions. But, this is college and with a little research on your own, most can figure out the
website.
Also be wary of the advisement office. They do an ok job, but if they aren’t necessarily the best at guiding you to college degrees or explaining the difference of why some degrees may help you more in a particular field you’d like to enter.
Overall though, loved the classes. I enjoyed going their (for the most part) and was able to retain a lot from the classes I took.
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
safe. clean. tons of classes. flexible. thumbsu p
Place rating: 3
Scottsdale, AZ
When I signed up and paid for the annual GYM membership, I did not realize that 90% of the people who go there are seniors. They play oldies music so if you are under 65 years old, you may want to bring your ipod or mp3 player. (The younger staff does play modern music when they are on duty)
Parking is NUTS after 9am during school hours. There is however, ample parking for seniors. They have like 30 reserved spots for them surrounding the fitness center.
Since I paid for the year, I will go until the membership runs out, but will NOT renew. Many of these seniors treat this gym as a social function and stand/​sit around and yap. Too bad many students do not take advantage of this gym. The machines are very good, plenty of cardio machines and staff on hand to help develop a training schedule. Many resources available that are underutilized in my opinion.
Place rating: 1
Scottsdale, AZ
I was hoping to get a few classes out of the way this summer, and wow… Did I have to work hard– to get INTO the classes that is. This school is by far the most disorganized and unmanaged place in the world. Thanks PVCC!!!
Place rating: 4
Surrey, Canada
They have many classes, and from the ones I took, I loved the professors. Very knowledgeable. Very nice campus, pretty and well maintained… Good school :)
Of course the books are $$$$ … But college books always are ridiculously priced.
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
I have been going to «college» for 11 years now… yet I have no degree. I bet you are wondering how that is even possible.
Maybe, like Van Wilder, I just like being in school (I don’t, I hate it).
Maybe I’m dumb.
Maybe I’m desperately trying to prevent my youth from slipping away.
Anyway, back to PVCC. Beautiful campus. Well maintained. Variety of classes at convenient times. Nice professors. Amazing café (get the cheesecrisp!!). Overall my fav community college in the valley (and I have been to all of them).
GO PUMAS!!!
Place rating: 5
Scottsdale, AZ
I just love my school. The campus is nice, clean and the education is top-​notch. The new life sciences building is gorgeous! I’m a young adult returning to school after a few years in the workplace and I wasn’t sure I’d fit in, but everybody has been very welcoming. After a day at the office, I just love to put on my hoodie and flip flops and go expand my mind :) Most of the instructors are also excellent and very knowledgeable (save for one lukewarm experience but it was more of a personality matter, the curriculum was still strong). I just wish they’d offer engineering classes though, it seems they’re more fine arts oriented but you can still get all the basics in. Affordability is also a strong point, and the Maricopa Community Colleges have agreements with ASU, U of A and NAU so students can transfer without losing any credit. Really, there’s no need to pay lots in tuition at ASU for your basic ENG101 class when you can take it here in a student-​friendly, small class setting.
If you’re starting out, I warmly recommend my adviser, Andy.