There’s a special kind of energy in Goodyear, Arizona. Maybe it’s the endless blue skies or the mix of new ideas and open space. Whatever it is, the city west of Phoenix has become one of the most welcoming places in the U.S. for students from around the world, and a place that balances opportunity, community, and sunshine.
Welcome to Avila University Arizona’s Goodyear Location
Located in the heart of the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, Avila University Arizona’s (AUA) Goodyear location sits at the crossroads of technological innovation and career opportunity. It’s where the industries building tomorrow’s businesses and technologies are seeking the right people to fill their leadership and labor needs today. It’s no surprise that metro Phoenix is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country.
Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Phoenix, the campus features modern learning spaces, collaborative hubs, and resources designed to connect you with people, technology, and experiences that move your career forward.
Simply put: Goodyear is where careers gain traction.
A Career Powerhouse
Goodyear is one of the Southwest’s most dynamic economies. It’s home to industries that are growing fast and changing the future of work.
Key industries:
- Health care and life sciences
- Aerospace and aviation
- Advanced manufacturing
- Logistics and distribution
- Technology and data
Major employers in the area:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Boeing
- Abrazo Health
- Sub-Zero, Wolf & Cove
- UPS
- Factor
- Macy’s & Bloomingdale’s Logistics
With over 1.3 million working-age professionals within a 30-minute drive, Goodyear offers access to one of the most diverse and highly skilled labor forces in the region.
Occupations by percentage:
- Management, business, sciences, and arts – 42%
- Sales and office – 22%
- Service (health care, public safety, food services) – 15%
- Production, transport, and material moving – 13%
- Construction, maintenance, and natural resources – 9%
For Avila University Arizona students, that means real-world learning, internships, and networking opportunities are close by. The city’s mix of global companies and local startups gives you a front-row seat to innovation.
Source: City of Goodyear, Arizona, Economic Development – Workforce
Why Students Feel at Home Here
Goodyear’s growth hasn’t changed its character. It remains a friendly, diverse, and safe city, where international students feel instantly included.
- Safety and peace of mind: Goodyear consistently ranks among Arizona’s safest cities, with clean neighborhoods and responsive public services.
- Warm, welcoming community: Locals greet you with genuine kindness. You’ll meet people from across the globe, especially at community markets and festivals.
- Easy connections: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is nearby, and the drive into downtown Phoenix takes around 25 minutes. You get access to big-city resources while living in a community that feels relaxed and welcoming.
- Everyday comfort: Walkable neighborhoods, bike paths, and reliable public transit make life here convenient and affordable.
It’s the kind of place where you can focus on your studies, build friendships, and still have time to enjoy life outside the classroom.
A City That Scores High on Quality of Life
Numbers don’t tell the full story of a city, but they can show why people love living here. According to the 2025 National Community Survey:
- 9 out of 10 residents recommend living in Goodyear.
- 95% feel safe in their neighbourhood during the day.
- 87% rate the quality of life as excellent or good.
- 87% say it’s a great place to raise children.
- 84% praise the city’s recreation centers and facilities.
- 83% rate the city services as excellent or good.
Add to that more than 300 days of sunshine a year, mountain trails nearby, and weekend escapes to Sedona or the Grand Canyon, and it’s easy to see why students describe Goodyear as bright, balanced, and full of possibility.
Life Beyond the Classroom
From hiking in Estrella Mountain Regional Park to catching a baseball game at Goodyear Ballpark, the city gives you plenty to explore. Local food trucks, coffee shops, and community festivals make it easy to feel part of something special.
You can study in the morning, meet friends for tacos in the afternoon, and watch the sunset before calling it a day, all within a few miles of campus.
A Place to Belong and Build Your Future
Studying abroad is equally about classes and grades as it is growth, connection, and finding your own rhythm in a new place. Goodyear, Arizona offers the perfect setting for that journey. It’s safe, community-oriented, and full of opportunity.
Whether you’re here to catapult your career, or simply to experience life in a city that welcomes newcomers with open arms, Goodyear has a way of making you feel at home.
Get in touch at admissions@arizona.avila.edu to find out more about how we can help you start your study-abroad experience at AUA.
