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History
Arizona State University (ASU) and Arizona University (U of A) are two state universities in Arizona. ASU is the largest public research university in Phoenix, and the University of Arizona is a public land grant research university in Tucson. Both are in the Arizona area and were established in 1885 by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature. These two universities are at the forefront of academic science and prestigious scholarship programs.
ASU vs UA
Arizona State University
Arizona State University rankings
Arizona State University is rated as the ‘Most Innovative School’ in the United States.
World University Ranking | 166 |
National rank | 66 |
Alumni Employment Rank | 756 |
Quality of Faculty Rank | 200 |
Research Performance Rank | 130 |
Overall Score | 79.5 |
Domain | asu.edu |

ASU is a public university with campus settings in urban and suburban areas. There are 17 schools in ASU and three main intakes during spring, summer, and fall. The student retention rate is around 87%, whereas 67.1% is the graduation rate. They provide different financial aids to students through scholarships, grants, and tuition fee waivers. Students can enroll in different programs full-time, part-time or online. As an entry requirement, they accept all TOEFL IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, and other tests for English language proficiency. Students can participate in research programs and internships in a variety of fields. 1,000+ student clubs and organizations are part of ASU. Students can also join the ASU Instructor Network. Some social groups include LGBTQIA+, sports, women, aboriginal groups, and so on. The student profile includes 50 states, 136 countries, 230 tribal countries, and 13,000 international students. ASU has the 34th largest library in the United States and Canada. There are more than 4.5 million volumes of books and articles. The most important events on campus for new students are the return lamp walk, the study bowl, and the inferno. There are over 1,000 clubs for students based on their preferences.
Arizona State University programs
ASU offers a series of 350+ undergraduate programs and majors, alongside 450+ undergraduate programs and certificates, at 17 different colleges.
ASU offers 200 online degrees and certificate programs, making it to the top 10 nationally for the best online degree programs. The university offers fast, concurrent, and integrated STEM programs too. Below are some of the programs that the university offers.
Architecture and Construction | Arts |
Business | Communication and Media |
Computing and Mathematics | Education and Training |
Engineering and Technology | Entrepreneurship |
Health and Wellness | Humanities |
Interdisciplinary Studies | Law, Justice and Public Services |
Psychology | Science |
Social and Behavioral Science | Sustainability |
Arizona State University cost of attendance
The following is an estimated budget for all university applicants, as well as for international students seeking to study in the United States. Program fees vary depending on the course and the student’s place of residence. Arizona State University offers merit-based scholarships to international students who wish to study in the United States. 85% of undergraduates, who have demonstrated academic proficiency, receive scholarships. Other than that, colleges and their respective departments offer scholarships too, although the criteria of the departments do vary. ASU provides financial assistance to students pursuing higher education, regardless of immigration status. Some of them are Personal Financial Aid, ASU Scholarship Site Any Private Scholarship, Budget Resources, Federal and Public Financial Aid, help to hunt for personal student loans from SoFi.
Tuition | Undergraduate | Graduate |
Tuition | $31,200 | $25,200 |
Graduate Student Support Fee | n/a | $250 |
Student Initiated Fees | $628 | $638 |
Housing and Meals | $13,510 | $11,808 |
Books and Supplies | $1,300 | $1,054 |
Transportation | $1,376 | $3,180 |
Personal | $1,982 | $3,628 |
Health and Insurance | $2,597 | $2,597 |
Visa Admin Fees | $200 | $200 |
TOTAL | $54,593 | $48,555 |
University of Arizona
University of Arizona rankings
The UA has been named one of the top 30 universities in the United States by the World University Ranking Center, and one of the top 50 research institutes in the initial rankings of American universities in QS. In 2019, it was ranked #39 among the top 100 universities in the world with the highest number of U.S. patents for invention. The university was ranked #273 out of 1,002 published institutions in the annual QS World University Rankings. Ranked #48 among U.S. institutions and #27 among government colleges and universities.
World University Ranking | 52 |
National rank | 34 |
Quality of Education Rank | 166 |
Alumni Employment Rank | 164 |
Quality of Faculty Rank | 53 |
Overall Score | 84.3 |
Domain | arizona.edu |

The University of Arizona covers an area of 392 acres and is divided into four so-called districts: the Park District, the Highland District, the District Historic District, and the Northern District. The 35,000 strong student population of the UA is from over 112 different countries and from over 50 states or provinces. The camp has 100 research centers and institutes that provide the necessary infrastructure for students and faculty. UA also has a unique museum and archive of resources for students and teachers. The Arizona State Museum is the oldest and largest anthropological research museum in the United States. There are more than 600 different student organizations and clubs, and 17 sports teams on campus. The Spring Flynn event is the largest student festival in the United States. The University Festival ZonaZoo is the largest and loudest student festival in the United States. Student recreation centers, cinemas, health facilities, libraries, shops, and restaurants are available to students in the various facilities on campus.
The University of Arizona welcomes students from around the world and hosts more than 4,000 international students who study in the United States. Applications are accepted and Arizona entries are selected at a rate of 84%. Students can choose from over 300 degrees from 20 different colleges and 12 different schools located on the four university campuses.
Programs Offered
The University of Arizona offers a series of over 150 undergraduate- and degree programs, over 270 majors, and various undergraduate courses. The university offers fast master programs (AMPs). These allow students to study for a bachelor’s and master’s degree in just 5 years. Besides that, they offer a range of dual degree programs that help students reduce their graduation time.
The University offers 277 undergraduate and postgraduate programs across 20 colleges and 12 schools. Following are some of the colleges:
- College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
- Eller College of Management
- College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
- College of Applied Science and Technology
- College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Arch
- College of Engineering and College of Humanities are some among them.
Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Applied Sciences, and Bachelor of Fine Arts courses are offered in series. A series of degree programs in MS, MAC, MAE, MFA, and UAA offers 100 degrees through online learning on Arizona Online. Electrical and Computer Engineering, MBA, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, and Biological and Biomedical Sciences are very popular at the University of Arizona.
Top Courses at the University of Arizona
Courses | Fees |
MSc Electrical and Computer Engineering | $22,400 |
MSc Computer Science | $22,400 |
MBA | $46,000 |
MS Mechanical Engineering | $22,400 |
BSc Computer Science | $37,116 |
University of Arizona Cost of Attendance
Type of Expenditure | Estimated cost for one year in USD (for 2020-2021 academic year) |
Tuition and Fees | 36,600 |
Living Expenses (Room and Board) | 13,350 |
Book and Supplies | 600 |
Health Insurance | 2,597 |
Transportation | 1,700 |
Miscellaneous | 1850 |
The choice between the two institutions depends largely on the selection program for the students. However, the low tuition cost at ASU will probably be the first choice among students seeking quality higher education in the United States.