Top Five Schools in Arizona
University of Arizona
The University of Arizona was founded in 1885 as a land grand institution. Considered a 'Public Ivy', the university offers over 300 different degree programs. There are 28,442 undergraduate students, who must compete in a selective admissions process. Some of the more renowned programs at the institution are in the natural sciences, and the University of Arizona receives more NASA grants for space exploration than any other university in the country. The campus is ranked #96 by U.S. News and World Report.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a single unified institution with four distinct campuses across the Phoenix Metropolitan Area. It was established in 1885 and has grown to hold the 124th position on U.S. News and World Report's list of America's Best Colleges. The main campus at Tempe has 41,815 students and is one of the nation's largest institutions. Tempe, Arizona is located in the central part of the state and is widely considered to be very urban. Students often take the opportunity to get involved with internship opportunities in this nearby metropolitan area.
Northern Arizona University
Known primarily for its educational focus rather than its research, Northern Arizona University is a premier institution in Arizona. The college is located in Flagstaff, which is in the south central part of the state. Northern Arizona University was actually founded in 1899 and has since grown to enroll approximately 14,523 undergraduate students. One of its better known programs is its division in hotel and restaurant management, which provides students with hands-on experience through its student-run on campus hotel. Many students choose to complete their Northern Arizona degree completely online.
Arizona State University West Campus
Recognizing the growth within the Phoenix area, the Arizona legislature founded Arizona State University at the West Campus in 1984. There are currently 6,941 undergraduate students enrolled at this campus, which sits along the border between Phoenix and Glendale. Students choose from 38 degree programs in five colleges, and the university is constantly considering additional programs as it continues to grow. Much of the emphasis of the West campus of Arizona State is to address the needs of nontraditional, returning and commuter students.
Arizona State University at the Polytechnic Campus
The Polytechnic campus of Arizona State University was founded on the former Williams Air Force Base in 1996. The focus of this institution is on technical and practical programs, and there are dozens of programs in applied sciences and business. Although the campus is relatively new, there are 5,589 undergraduate students enrolled at this innovative institution, and the expectation is that this number will quadruple over the next decade as the Polytechnic Campus continues to address the needs of the scientific community.
