Planning to study in the USA? Confused between Arizona State University and the University of Arizona while shortlisting universities? Well, you are not the first one to feel stuck here because many students find themselves confused between the two. The University of Arizona and ASU both were established in 1885 and situated in the heart of Arizona. There are certain common factors that make these universities quite similar to each other. However, one thing that still stands a question between the both is which one is better on the academic ground. And to answer that, we are here with this guide.
Highlights of Arizona State University vs University of Arizona
| Comparison Category | Arizona State University | University of Arizona |
| Rankings | # 105 US News 2024 # 179 QS World University 2024 # 182 Times Higher Education 2024 | # 115 US News 2024 # 285 QS World University 2024 # 155 Times Higher Education 2024 |
| Programs Offered | UG Programs – 65 PG Programs – 112 Doctorate Programs – 21 | UG Programs – 201 PG Programs – 81 Doctorate Programs -19 |
| Test Requirements | GMAT – 650 IELTS – 6.5 SAT – 1180 TOEFL – 80 | IELTS – 6.5 PTE – 53 SAT – 1160 TOEFL – 79 |
| Application Requirements | LOR- 3 letters of recommendation, SOP- Yes, GPA- 3.53 (C+ grade) | Academic transcripts; Resume; 2-3 LORs; Personal Statement; 2-3 Essays; Writing samples, portfolios, work experience, research papers, etc.) |
| Acceptance Rate | 83% | 78.6% |
| Campus Location | Tempe, Arizona | Tucson, Arizona |
| International Students | 13% | 11% |
| Student Organisation | 1,000 | 600 |
| Student Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 15:1 |
Arizona State University vs University of Arizona: Detailed Comparison
To have a more detailed look at both universities in Arizona, here are some factors that you must consider.
Location and Weather Conditions
- Tucson is located in the southwestern city area which covers different cultural roots. The area is known for various art scenes and has natural beauty to offer. People can indulge in various adventure activities.
- Tempe is the one site of ASU and has various art scenes like the Temple Festival of the Arts. People can experience various spectacular events and even the campus has a lot to offer to international students.
Academics
- The University of Arizona offers 300 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through 20 colleges and 23 schools. Students mostly enroll in popular programs like humanities, arts, and social sciences. The university is ranked quite nicely by various ranking agencies as well.
- Arizona State University offers 65 undergraduate, 112 graduate, and 21 doctorate programs through its campuses and schools, The university is also quite popular for its online program curriculum. STEM, Computer Science, and Business programs are quite popular among international students at this university.
Size
- Arizona State University is a much bigger school and hosts more than 80,000 students. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18:1 at the university.
- The University of Arizona is quite small in comparison to the other as it hosts approximately 45,000 students every year and the student-faculty ratio here is 15:1.
Research and Innovation
- As per the latest data, Arizona State University spent more than 673 USD million on research. It focuses quite holistically on research and innovation for betterment.
- The University of Arizona spends 734 USD million on research and innovation. The expenditure is driven by various programs in fields like Science, Engineering, and health-related courses.
How to Decide Between Both?
One should choose the University of Arizona if they are more interested in the Humanities and arts program. If smaller class sizes and closed environments are your preference then this should be your choice. Lastly, a cool campus and city life is your preference then University of Arizona should be your choice.
On the other hand, if you want to build your career in STEM majors then ASU should be your choice. You can also choose this if you prefer online study and are interested in a city that has art and culture all over.
Both universities Arizona State University and the University of Arizona are quite prestigious and offer excellent academic programs, research opportunities, and great campus life. The overall choice between the two majorly depends on your preference of programs, goals, and career aspirations. One of the universities is great in Humanities and Arts programs whereas the other is popular in STEM programs. Hence, the key choice depends on the choice of program you want to take up. No matter what university you choose out of the two, you will have a successful career ahead.
