Arizona State University



Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university located in the Southwest United States, in the state of Arizona. With a diverse student body exceeding 183,000 learners, ASU offers more than 350 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate programs across various disciplines.

ASU has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past two decades, evolving into a leading public research institution known for its commitment to innovation, accessibility and societal impact. Under the leadership of President Michael M. Crow, ASU has redefined the role of the modern university, emphasising interdisciplinary collaboration and adaptive learning environments to become a new model for the American public research university.


A Commitment to Innovation

Arizona State University has been recognized as the #1 most innovative university in the United States by the U.S. News & World Report for 10 consecutive years. This accolade underscores ASU’s innovative learning environment, which embraces interdisciplinary study, hands-on experience, experiential learning, new technologies and new ways of thinking. Through partnerships with companies like Open AI and Dreamscape Learn, ASU incorporates generative AI and virtual reality into its curriculum and research, pushing the boundaries of learning in the 21st century.


Educational Accessibility

ASU believes that top quality higher education should be available to any student capable of performing university-level work, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic constraints. In the fall of 2024 alone, ASU welcomed 17,000 incoming first-year undergraduate students.

“We will measure ourselves not by who we exclude but who we include and how they succeed. We will admit every qualified student and work for their success, period – no matter how many there are. Everybody has the ability to learn,” - ASU President Michael M. Crow.

In addition, 42% of ASU undergraduates are first-generation college students, with 85% of all undergraduate students receiving financial assistance. To expand accessibility to the university, ASU educates close to 100,000 learners in online degree programs for working professionals or distance-challenged learners who need the flexibility to earn their degree.

Globally, ASU served more than 17,000 international degree-seeking students in person and online in 2023-2024, becoming the #1 public university choice for international students for 3 years in a row, according to the Institute of International Education’s Open Doors Report. In 2020, ASU established the ASU-Cintana Alliance global university network alongside Cintana Education to expand its access mission to students around the world.
 

Academic Excellence

Recognised globally as a leading knowledge enterprise, Arizona State University is dedicated to delivering academic excellence.

ASU faculty are national leaders in advancing research and discovery. Our more than 6,000 faculty members inspire new ways of thinking, innovating and solving problems socially, culturally and economically in our region and in the international community. Currently, ASU employs 5 Nobel Laureates, 11 Pulitzer Prize winners, MacArthur Fellows and more.

In addition, ASU’s academic programs are consistently ranked for their quality, leading to high employability rates for graduates of ASU.

  • Online MBA: Ranked among the top 10 nationally for 12 consecutive years, including specializations in supply chain management, project management, information systems, and business analytics.
  • Scoring a perfect 100/100 for the third year in a row, the Thunderbird School of Global Management is ranked No. 1 in the world for international trade by the QS International Trade Rankings.
  • ASU is one of only seven doctoral-level institutions recognised as a top producer of Fulbright awards for both students and faculty.
  • ASU ranks in the top 1% of international universities for education, employability, faculty and research among more than 20,000 universities by the Center for World University Rankings.


Global Impact and Sustainability

Since 2004, ASU has become a global leader in sustainability efforts—creating the Global Institute of Sustainability, launching the first School of Sustainability in the U.S., deploying the largest solar energy portfolio of any university in the U.S. and establishing the Global Futures Laboratory to tackle planetary health.

Because of this, ASU ranks #1 in the U.S. and #2 globally for its sustainability practices, demonstrating leadership in areas such as air and climate, transportation and investment. ASU's initiatives also align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing its role in fostering a more equitable and sustainable future.​

Research and Discovery


Arizona State University is one of the fastest-growing research enterprises in the United States, more than doubling its research expenditures over the last 10 years. And each year, ASU climbs in rankings from the National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, which measures research expenditures across disciplines and funding sources.

ASU currently ranks No. 5 in the U.S. for total research expenditures among institutions without a medical school, achieving $904M in research expenditures in fiscal year 2023. Additionally, ASU’s technology transfer model leads in bringing innovations to market, ranking No. 9 among universities worldwide for U.S. patents issued.


Economic Vitality

Arizona’s economy is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation, becoming a U.S. and global leader in technology and innovation—and Arizona State University is working to power up the enterprises, entrepreneurs and workers driving this economic boom contributing, directly and indirectly, $6.1 billion to the state’s gross domestic product.

In addition, recognising the immense potential for the microelectronics industry to shape the 21st-century global economy, ASU's focus on engineering and technology has helped Arizona attract significant investments, including a $165B billion commitment from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), bolstering the state's economy and workforce development. ​

Arizona State University's innovative approach to education, research, and community engagement positions it as a model for the future of higher education, demonstrating how institutions can adapt to meet the evolving needs of society.