Arizona State University: Rankings, Academics, and Reputation

Arizona State University (ASU), founded in 1885, has evolved into a comprehensive public research institution renowned for its innovation, accessibility, and commitment to addressing complex global challenges. This article explores ASU's rankings, academic strengths, and overall reputation, drawing upon various sources to provide a comprehensive overview.

Overview of Arizona State University

Arizona State University (Arizona State or ASU) is a public research university in Tempe, Arizona, United States. Founded in 1885 as Territorial Normal School by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature, the university is one of the largest public universities by enrollment in the United States. It was one of about 180 "normal schools" founded in the late 19th century to train teachers for the rapidly growing public common schools. One of three universities governed by the Arizona Board of Regents, Arizona State University is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very High Research Activity". The Arizona State Sun Devils compete in 26 varsity-level sports in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big 12 Conference.

Historical Perspective

Arizona State University was established as the Territorial Normal School at Tempe on March 12, 1885, when the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature passed an act to create a normal school to train teachers for the Arizona Territory. The campus consisted of a single, four-room schoolhouse on a 20-acre plot largely donated by Tempe residents George and Martha Wilson. Classes started with 33 students on February 8, 1886.

Over the years, the institution underwent several name changes, reflecting its evolving mission and scope:

Territorial Normal School (1885-1889)
Tempe Normal School of Arizona (1889-1903)
Tempe Normal School (1903-1925)
Tempe State Teachers College (1925-1929)
Arizona State Teachers College (1929-1945)
Arizona State College (1945-1958)

In 1923, the school stopped offering high school courses and added a high school diploma to the admissions requirements. In 1925, the school became the Tempe State Teachers College and offered four-year Bachelor of Education degrees as well as two-year teaching certificates. In 1929, the 9th Arizona State Legislature authorized Bachelor of Arts in Education degrees as well, and the school was renamed the Arizona State Teachers College.

Read also: Arizona Education System

Leadership and Growth

Under the 30-year tenure of president Arthur John Matthews (1900-1930), the school was given all-college student status. The first dormitories built in the state were constructed under his supervision in 1902. Of the 18 buildings constructed while Matthews was president, six are still in use.

During the Great Depression, Ralph Waldo Swetman was hired to succeed President Matthews, coming to Arizona State Teachers College in 1930 from Humboldt State Teachers College where he had served as president.

In 1933, Grady Gammage, then president of Arizona State Teachers College at Flagstaff, became president of Arizona State Teachers College at Tempe, beginning a tenure that would last for nearly 28 years, second only to Swetman's 30 years at the college's helm. Like President Arthur John Matthews before him, Gammage oversaw the construction of several buildings on the Tempe campus. He also guided the development of the university's graduate programs; the first Master of Arts in Education was awarded in 1938, the first Doctor of Education degree in 1954 and 10 non-teaching master's degrees were approved by the Arizona Board of Regents in 1956. During his presidency, the school's name was changed to Arizona State College in 1945, and finally to Arizona State University in 1958. At the time, two other names were considered: Tempe University and State University at Tempe. Among Gammage's greatest achievements in Tempe was the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed construction of what is Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium/ASU Gammage.

Gammage was succeeded by Harold D. Richardson, who had served the school earlier in a variety of roles beginning in 1939, including director of graduate studies, college registrar, dean of instruction, dean of the College of Education and academic vice president.

By the 1960s, under G. Homer Durham, ASU experienced significant growth. The next three presidents-Harry K. Newburn (1969-71), John W. Schwada (1971-81) and J. Russell Nelson (1981-89)-continued to advance the university's mission.

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Under the leadership of Lattie F. Coor, president from 1990 to 2002, ASU grew through the creation of the Polytechnic campus and extended education sites. Increased commitment to diversity, quality in undergraduate education, research, and economic development occurred over his 12-year tenure. Part of Coor's legacy to the university was a successful fundraising campaign: through private donations, more than $500 million was invested in areas that would significantly impact the future of ASU.

The "New American University"

In 2002, Michael M. Crow became the university's 16th president. At his inauguration, he outlined his vision for transforming ASU into a "New American University"-one that would be open and inclusive, and set a goal for the university to meet Association of American Universities criteria and to become a member. Crow initiated the transformation of ASU into "One university in many places"-a single institution comprising several campuses, sharing students, faculty, staff and accreditation. Subsequent reorganizations combined academic departments, consolidated colleges and schools, and reduced staff and administration as the university expanded its West Valley and Polytechnic campuses. ASU's Downtown Phoenix campus was also expanded, with several colleges and schools relocating there. The university established learning centers throughout the state, including the ASU Colleges at Lake Havasu City and programs in Thatcher, Yuma, and Tucson.

During Crow's tenure, and aided by hundreds of millions of dollars in donations, ASU began a years-long research facility capital building effort that led to the establishment of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, and several large interdisciplinary research buildings.

The economic downturn that began in 2008 took a particularly hard toll on Arizona, resulting in large cuts to ASU's budget. In response to these cuts, ASU capped enrollment, closed some four dozen academic programs, combined academic departments, consolidated colleges and schools, and reduced university faculty, staff and administrators; with an economic recovery underway in 2011, however, the university continued its campaign to expand the West Valley and Polytechnic Campuses, and establish a low-cost, teaching-focused extension campus in Lake Havasu City.

Since Crow's arrival, ASU's research funding has almost tripled to nearly $350 million. Degree production has increased by 45 percent.

Read also: Understanding ASU Tuition

Rankings and Recognition

ASU has garnered significant recognition for its academic programs, research contributions, and innovative approach to education.

U.S. News & World Report: In the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, Arizona State University is ranked No. 117 in National Universities. It's also ranked No. 1 in Most Innovative Schools.
Global Impact: ASU is consistently ranked among the top universities worldwide for advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Innovation: Ranked repeatedly No. 1 in Most Innovative Schools.

Academics

ASU offers a wide array of academic programs across its multiple campuses and online platform. The university serves students from all 50 states and over 158 countries, providing traditional academic disciplines alongside interdisciplinary approaches to address complex problems.

Academic Structure

ASU operates as "one university in many places," with four campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area:

Tempe Campus: The original campus, serving as the university's research and graduate school center. Undergraduate studies on the Tempe campus are research-based programs that prepare students for graduate school, professional school, or employment.
Polytechnic Campus: Emphasizes professional and technological programs for direct workforce preparation. The Polytechnic campus is the site of many of the university's simulators and laboratories dedicated for project-based learning.
West Valley Campus: Focuses on interdisciplinary degrees and the liberal arts, while maintaining professional programs with a direct impact on the community and society.
Downtown Phoenix Campus: Concentrates on direct urban and public programs such as nursing, public policy, criminal justice, mass communication, journalism, and law, as well as the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Key Academic Programs and Initiatives

Journalism: ASU has "one of the best journalism schools in the nation" at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Business: The W. P. Carey School of Business is a "renowned business school".
Engineering: The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering provides a "great engineering program".
Research Opportunities: Regardless of the academic discipline you choose, students suggest that you'll find research opportunities.
ASU Online: Offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate degree programs through an online platform. The degree programs delivered online hold the same accreditation as the university's traditional face-to-face programs. Online students are taught by the same faculty and receive the same diploma as on-campus students.

Faculty

ASU students praise their "enthusiastic, supportive, and engaged" professors. Undergraduates report that most of the faculty is effective in incorporating "research interests and experiences" into coursework. "Most of my professors would bend over backward to help me out-even when the issue wasn't in their particular class," reports one enthusiastic undergraduate.

The student-faculty ratio at Arizona State University is 18:1.

Reputation

ASU has cultivated a strong reputation as an innovative and inclusive institution committed to student success and societal impact.

Student Life

Diversity: Undergraduates at ASU love the "diversity" of the student body and describe meeting peers "from all different backgrounds, locations and cultures." There is a "large Greek life presence…along with a very serious academic body within Barrett, The Honors College, and a large section of international students."
Engagement: ASU students appreciate the student body's "unique blend of intelligence and fun." They also tend to be "nice and welcoming." One student sums it up: "Every person you meet has a smile on their face, ready to help with whatever problem there is." A number of undergraduates here also report that their peers "are excellent at getting involved in community activities and speaking up for what they believe in…[as well as] spread[ing] awareness about important issues."
Activities: It's virtually impossible to be bored on the ASU campuses, as students are incredibly active. "There are always people out at the pools, exercising in the gym, playing sports on the sand volleyball courts or soccer fields, or riding bikes or long boards." If you prefer indoor sports, don't worry: ASU has a "very strong gaming community." Undergraduates can also enjoy "really interesting lectures" and participate in "fun clubs." There is a "programming board which host[s] events every week, including free films and food."

Innovation and Research

ASU has rapidly enriched its research enterprise. In just 10 years, the university has more than doubled its research funding. ASU is a school that “prepares you greatly for your future while also giving you experience to feel confident moving into the workforce.” The Career and Professional Development Services department has numerous resources available to students looking to map out their futures, including career fairs, workshops, and the My ASU Career Milestones tool, which helps students to keep track of their professional goals. ASU’s dashboards communication portal connects staff with employers and job recruiters so that they can find potential fits for students. The school provides plenty of off-campus options, including study abroad and a “crazy amount of research opportunities,” so “it’s hard to not fall in love with something.”

Sustainable Development Goals

ASU is No. 1 for 11 of the 17 SDGs, with its highest scores for Life Below Water (No. 3 and globally); Sustainable Cities and Communities (No. 5 globally) and Life on Land (No. 19 globally).

Campus Environment and Resources

ASU provides a rich campus environment with numerous resources to support student success.

Campuses and Locations

ASU has four campuses in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, including the Tempe campus in Tempe; the West Valley campus in Glendale; the Downtown Phoenix campus; and the Polytechnic campus in Mesa. ASU has four campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area and regional learning centers throughout Arizona, in addition to facilities located in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii.

Tempe Campus: The Tempe campus is in downtown Tempe, Arizona, about eight miles (13 km) east of Phoenix. The campus is considered urban and is approximately 660 acres (2.7 km2) in size. The Tempe campus is ASU's original campus, and Old Main, the oldest building on campus, still stands. There are many notable landmarks on campus, including Grady Gammage Memorial Auditorium, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright; Palm Walk, which is lined by 111 palm trees; Charles Trumbull Hayden Library; the University Club building; Margaret Gisolo Dance Theatre; Arizona State University Art Museum; and University Bridge. Furthermore, the Tempe campus is home to Barrett, The Honors College. In addition, the campus has an extensive public art collection; It was named "the single most impressive venue for contemporary art in Arizona" by Art in America magazine. Against the northwest edge of campus is the Mill Avenue district (part of downtown Tempe), which has a college atmosphere that attracts many students to its restaurants and bars. Students also have Tempe Marketplace, a shopping, dining and entertainment center with an outdoor setting near the northeast border of the campus.
West Valley Campus: Established in 1984 by the Arizona legislature, the West Valley campus sits on 277.92 acres (1.1247 km2) in a suburban area of northwest Phoenix. The West Valley campus lies about 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Downtown Phoenix, and about 18 miles (29 km) northwest of the Tempe campus. The West Valley campus is designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride and is nearly completely powered by a solar array.
Polytechnic Campus: Founded in 1996 as "ASU East", the ASU Polytechnic campus is a desert arboretum that includes outdoor learning labs and spaces as well as leading-edge simulators and indoor lab spaces to support teaching and research in various fields of study. The 600-acre (2.4 km2) campus is in southeast Mesa, Arizona, approximately 25 miles (40 km) southeast of the Tempe campus, and 33 miles (53 km) southeast of downtown Phoenix.
Downtown Phoenix Campus: The Downtown Phoenix campus was established in 2006 on the north side of Downtown Phoenix. The campus has an urban design, with several large modern academic buildings intermingled with commercial and retail office buildings. In addition to the new buildings, the campus included the adaptive reuse of several existing structures, including a 1930s era Post Office that is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Transportation

Several public transportation options are available to ASU students, faculty and staff across all four ASU campuses.

Financial Aid

Forty-eight percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $12,817.

Career Services

ASU is a school that “prepares you greatly for your future while also giving you experience to feel confident moving into the workforce.” The Career and Professional Development Services department has numerous resources available to students looking to map out their futures, including career fairs, workshops, and the My ASU Career Milestones tool, which helps students to keep track of their professional goals. ASU’s dashboards communication portal connects staff with employers and job recruiters so that they can find potential fits for students. PayScale.com reports that ASU alumni earn a median starting salary of $64,700.

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