University of Arizona

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Quick Stats
PO Box 210066

Tucson, AZ 85721-0066

[map]
Phone: (520) 621-2211
2011-2012 Tuition
$9,286
in-state
$25,496
out-of-state
Students
30,592
enrolled
48%
male /
52%
female
Admissions
May 1
application deadline
75.4%
accepted

More Information

_

U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category
U.S. News rank Category Name
#124 National Universities

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Summary

University of Arizona is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,592, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 380 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Arizona's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 124. Its in-state tuition and fees are $9,286 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $25,496 (2011-12).

As one of the largest public institutions in its state, the University of Arizona in Tuscon offers a wide range of activities and academic opportunities to its students. Student athletic supporters form the ZonaZoo, the student section that supports the Arizona Wildcats sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. For athletes who don’t compete on the school’s teams, there are three levels of intramural sports: the Desert league, which emphasizes fun; the Sunset league, geared to moderate athletes; and the Cactus league, meant for very skilled and competitive athletes. For other ways to get involved, University of Arizona students can check out more than 30 fraternities and sororities, among many other student organizations.  

Freshmen are not required to live on campus, though first year students make up about 80 percent of the on-campus residential population. Each year, the university community gathers for events like the Spring Fling, billed as the largest student-run carnival in the country, and Homecoming. As a research institution, the University of Arizona also offers a variety of opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research projects. The university has a wide range of graduate student programs, including the Eller College of Management,  the James E. Rogers College of Law, and a College of Medicine. Notable alumni of the University of Arizona include former presidential candidate Bob Dole, reality television stars Nicole Richie and Kourtney Kardashian, and journalist Geraldo Rivera.

School mission (as provided by the school):

Located in the heart of Tucson, the University of Arizona is one of the top-ranked research universities in the nation. Surrounded by mountains and the high Sonoran desert, the campus boasts a distinctive southwestern look and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Approximately 39,000 students are enrolled at the University of Arizona, coming from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The UA offers more than 100 academic and professional degree tracks, taught by some of the nation's preeminent scholars, and a vibrant campus atmosphere at a cost well below most other colleges and universities in the United States.

General Information

School type public, coed college
Year founded 1885
Religious affiliation N/A
Academic calendar semester
Setting urban
2010 Endowment $480,239,000

Applying

When applying to University of Arizona, it's important to note the application deadline is May 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due April 1. The application fee at University of Arizona is $50. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 75.4 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity selective
Fall 2010 acceptance rate 75%
Application deadline May 1
SAT/ACT scores must be received by April 1

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at University of Arizona is 20:1, and the school has 35.1 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Arizona include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; and Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 78.5 percent.

Class sizes
Class sizes
Student-faculty ratio 20:1
4-year graduation rate 34% - Medium
Five most popular majors for 2010 graduates
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 16%
Social Sciences 10%
Biological and Biomedical Sciences 9%
Psychology 7%
Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs 6%

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Student Life

University of Arizona has a total undergraduate enrollment of 30,592, with a gender distribution of 47.9 percent male students and 52.1 percent female students. 20.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 80.0 percent of students live off campus. University of Arizona is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.

See what students are saying about life at University of Arizona.

Total enrollment 39,086
Student gender distribution
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority
Collegiate athletic association NCAA I

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Campus Info & Services

University of Arizona offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, health service, and health insurance. University of Arizona also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of Arizona.

Students who have cars on campus N/A
Health insurance offered Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer No

More About Campus Info & Services

Paying for School

At University of Arizona, 48.2 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $9,785.

Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.

In-state tuition and fees $9,286 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $25,496 (2011-12)
Room and board $8,540 (2011-12) - Medium
Financial aid statistics
Financial aid statistics

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Student Reviews

U of A is very large, but it does not bother me at all. We are full of school pride. The U of A has one of the best Dance Departments in the nation. It is ranked in the top 5. It is also a beautiful campus. I wish that the campus was more safe. Since it is not a closed campus, anyone can get on campus. Safe ride helps a lot - but no one wants to have a feeling of being unsafe at their school. The U of A holds great opportunities for their students. The Eller college is great, along with many other colleges.

Alyssa Freshman

The u of a has a beautiful campus. It is pretty much the focus of tucson. The school has many programs in the top ten percent nationwide and is dedicated to research and academic excellence. I spend most of my time studying in my dorm, my sorority house, or at the library. A large percentage of students spend leisure time on university, on the mall, or at the student rec center. The administration and student government on campus is a group of focused individuals always striving to improve the u of a and its programs, implenting recycling throught campus and the dorms, building onto the rec center, and remodeling classrooms to equip them with the top technology. Arizona is also abundant with school pride and spirit. the theme song "bear down" is played over an intercom throughout campus everyday at noon and sports rallies and events are always a highlight.

amanda Freshman

The best thing about Arizona is that anyone can learn and flourish in the field they love. The campus town in amazing! All the stores and venders are very friendly and helpful and cater to your needs. It's very easy to get to the campus from the airport because the airport is never crowded and you can always get a cab or shuttle. The school pride is spectacular! Everyone wears U of A gear and goes to all sport games. There is always someone to go to games with and its very easy to make friends.

Betty Freshman

More student reviews

* Overview details based on 2010 data

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