Acceptance Rate
86%
Avg. SAT
1420
75th percentile
“Casting giant telescope mirrors for space exploration amid Tucson's endless desert sunshine.”
Tucson, AZ
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
The University of Arizona traces its roots to 1885, when it opened as a land-grant institution on Tucson’s outskirts, well before Arizona gained statehood in 1912. Today, it stands as a massive public research university with over 40,000 undergraduates spread across a sprawling campus ringed by the Sonoran Desert. Students who thrive here tend to embrace independence in a big-school environment, drawn to hands-on research and outdoor adventures rather than intimate seminars.
Tucson wraps around the campus with its adobe architecture, vibrant Mexican markets, and 300-plus days of sunshine annually, fostering a laid-back personality that mixes academic drive with desert leisure. You can hike saguaro-studded trails or grab Sonoran hot dogs from street vendors right after class. Tradeoffs include scorching summers that push most activity indoors and a campus so vast that biking or busing becomes essential for getting around.
Photo Gallery
+18
+10
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Arizona shines in optics, astronomy, and earth sciences, where you'll spin telescope mirrors in the famous lab or map planetary surfaces through Steward Observatory. Classrooms range from packed 300-seat intro lectures to smaller upper-division seminars, with research opportunities opening up early for motivated students via paid undergrad positions. The intellectual culture rewards curiosity in STEM fields, though competitive majors like optical sciences fill quickly, leaving some to pivot.
Professors often pull from national labs nearby, bringing real-world projects into labs, but expect a mix of teaching assistants in big lower-level courses. You can expect collaborative vibes in interdisciplinary programs blending engineering and biology, though the sheer scale means building professor relationships takes initiative.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
44,848 undergrad • 11,517 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
45%
Black / African American
4%
Hispanic / Latino
25%
Asian
5%
Other / Multi-racial
20%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Tucson, AZ
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
Campus pulses with Wildcat spirit around football games and pool parties, while Greek life draws about 20 percent of students into a lively social scene. A typical week mixes morning lectures, afternoon club meetings—think rock climbing or astronomy viewing parties—and evenings exploring Tucson's arts district or nearby mountains. Residential life kicks off in high-rise dorms for freshmen, transitioning to off-campus apartments where you manage your own desert lifestyle.
Traditions like maintaining the giant 'A' on Sentinel Peak bind the community, alongside endless outdoor pursuits from biking the Loop trail to stargazing sessions. Challenges include the heat wave that quiets outdoor events from June to August and a sprawling layout that feels more suburban than compact college town. Cost of living stays reasonable, with shared housing under $800 monthly, letting you stretch dollars toward weekend trips to canyons.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big 12 Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Apply for Financial Aid
Complete the FAFSA to unlock grants, scholarships, and federal loans.
Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
83%
4 Years Graduation Rate
50%
6 Years Graduation Rate
64%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$59,979
83% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Arizona and return in the fall. 50% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 64% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
50%
4-5 years
14%
6-8 years
2%
Non-grad
34%
Let’s find your perfect tutor
Answer a few quick questions. We’ll recommend the right plan and match you with a top 5% tutor.
Key Statistics
Type
Public
Tuition
$11,210
Acceptance
86%
Undergrads
44,848
4-Year Grad Rate
50%
Endowment
$1.3B
Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Explore More