ASU vs. U of A

Comparable Facts

Compare Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ with University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Arizona State University is larger than U of A based on total student enrollment (79,818 students vs. 56,365 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Arizona State University is located in Tempe, AZ (Midsize City setting); University of Arizona is in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting).
• Arizona State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Arizona State University 18:1; University of Arizona 20:1.

ASU vs. U of A Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ASU or U of A? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Arizona State University than U of A ($17,779 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Arizona State University are 0.2% lower than at University of Arizona ($16,712 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 13.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than ASU (about $1,703 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $12,223.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.6% higher at U of A than at Arizona State University (about $9,139 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $33,139.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Arizona State University (95% vs. 89%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 13.2% larger than aid received by Arizona State University students ($13,776 vs. $12,172).

ASU vs. U of A Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ASU or U of A? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between U of A and ASU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 80 points higher than at ASU (1210).
• Incoming U of A students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at ASU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 1100/1320; University of Arizona 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Arizona State University 21/28; University of Arizona 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ASU - Test optional; U of A - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman ASU students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.54) than students at U of A (3.48).
• ASU has a higher acceptance rate (89.9%) than U of A (86.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 22.1% at ASU vs. 18.4% at U of A.

ASU vs. U of A Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ASU and U of A? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Arizona's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than Arizona State University's (57%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than ASU graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $52,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $1,278 lower median loan debt than ASU graduates ($19,000 vs. $20,278).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than ASU graduates ($196 vs. $209).
• More U of A graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ASU students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 57%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.