Arizona State University vs. University of Arizona
Arizona families often treat these as one school with two campuses, but they ask different things of you. Arizona State sprawls through Tempe and into Phoenix, tens of thousands of undergraduates deep, the kind of place where you build your own crowd or get lost trying. Sun Devil culture runs on scale and ambition, and Barrett gives the high achievers a smaller college tucked inside the machine. Drive two hours south to Tucson and the University of Arizona feels older and more rooted, a desert campus under the Santa Catalinas where the astronomy and planetary-science programs draw people from across the world. Wildcat traditions hold tighter here, and the two trade the Territorial Cup every fall in the oldest rivalry trophy in the sport. Both bake. If a specific science like astronomy or planetary research pulls you, Tucson rewards that focus.
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Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Arizona State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Arizona State is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
Score ranges not published yet
Arizona State has not published SAT or ACT score ranges for its most recent admitted class.
Class Rank
Where Arizona State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 52% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Arizona State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Arizona State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Arizona State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,192 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Acceptance Rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly Admissions
Arizona does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
Arizona is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Arizona's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 37% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Arizona does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Arizona weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Arizona's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $29,162 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Arizona State vs. Arizona: frequently asked questions
Is it harder to get into Arizona State or University of Arizona?＋
Both are broadly accessible, with University of Arizona slightly more selective on the headline rate. Arizona admitted about 83.5% of applicants in its most recent cycle, while Arizona State admitted about 88.4%. Neither is a long shot for a prepared in-state applicant, and both lean hardest on your GPA and the rigor of your coursework.
Is Arizona State or University of Arizona cheaper for out-of-state students?＋
Arizona State is the cheaper sticker for non-residents: about $35,167 in tuition and fees versus $43,068 at University of Arizona, a gap near $8,000 a year before aid. The aid picture runs close, though. Arizona State meets about 62% of demonstrated need with an average package near $19,469; Arizona meets about 60% with a package near $18,400.
Is Arizona State or University of Arizona better for engineering and computer science?＋
Arizona State carries the larger engineering and computing pipeline. Those fields account for roughly 18% of its bachelor's degrees, drawing on the Ira A. Fulton Schools, whereas at University of Arizona engineering and computing together land closer to 12% of degrees. Arizona counters with a national reputation in astronomy and planetary science, so the right pick tracks the specific field you want.
Is Arizona State or University of Arizona bigger?＋
Arizona State is substantially larger, enrolling about 64,662 undergraduates to Arizona's 43,294. Both rank among the biggest public universities in the country, but Arizona State's Tempe-and-Phoenix footprint and online programs push its total well past Tucson's. Expect large lecture sections at either, with honors colleges (Barrett at Arizona State) carving out smaller communities.
Does Arizona State or University of Arizona admit more out-of-state students?＋
University of Arizona pulls a larger out-of-state share, about 36% of first-years versus 28% at Arizona State. Residency barely moves your odds at either school: in the most recent cycle Arizona admitted about 90% of out-of-state applicants, and Arizona State about 87%, both close to their in-state rates. The real residency effect is on price, not admission.
Does Arizona State or University of Arizona have a higher graduation rate?＋
University of Arizona graduates a slightly higher share within six years, about 71% versus 69% at Arizona State. The two sit close enough that the difference shouldn't drive your decision on its own. Arizona State edges ahead on first-year retention, keeping about 87% of students through to sophomore year against Arizona's 83%.
Source: Arizona State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-07. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Arizona State. Banner photo by Beyond My Ken, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Source: University of Arizona Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Arizona. Banner photo by Baah Thomas, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).