University of Arizona
#3 Best Colleges in Arizona- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $59,979 B+
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $16,674 C
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 86% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Colleges in Arizona.
Every $1 spent returns $24.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,546,185.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 47% above the national college median.
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Every $1 invested returns $24.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #161
- Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 44/100
- Times Higher Education
Why University of Arizona Matters
University of Arizona is a public research university in Tucson, AZ ranked #161 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a top-tier research enterprise and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R1 · Very High Research
- Enrollment
- 42,537
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Biology & Biomedical, Health Professions, Psychology
Why students choose University of Arizona
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Accessible — admits about 86% of applicants, with a middle-50% SAT of 1150–1420. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $16,674 a year after grants and scholarships — 3% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $59,979 ten years after enrolling — 47% above the typical college, against $19,620 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.51 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
The University of Arizona has an impressive enrollment of 42,537 students, making it one of the largest universities in the country. This size translates into diverse opportunities and a vibrant campus life, with a wide range of programs available to students.
According to data from Chetty/Opportunity Insights, students from low-income backgrounds have significant mobility outcomes at this institution, although specific metrics like the mobility rate are not available. The university's focus on accessibility is reflected in its 86% acceptance rate, suggesting that many students can find a place here.
The net price for attending is $16,674, with a median debt of $19,620, which is manageable for many graduates. After ten years, alumni typically earn around $59,979. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Business, Biology, Health Professions, Psychology, or Engineering, fields that align with strong job market demands.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective University of Arizona is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Arizona? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,246. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 86%
- Retention Rate
- 83%
- SAT Average
- 1246
- ACT Midpoint
- 25
- SAT Range
- 1150–1420
- ACT Range
- 21–29
- Full-Time Faculty
- 77%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,347
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.70
- First-Gen Students
- 31%
- Applicants
- 52,091
- Admitted
- 45,194
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Arizona? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Arizona is $42,278, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,674. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,353 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,620 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $13,926
- Out-of-State
- $42,278
- Avg Net Price
- $16,674
- Median Debt
- $19,620
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 26%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $13,353
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $14,984
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $16,051
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,307
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is University of Arizona Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Arizona earn a median of $59,979, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $47,665
- 8 Years
- $55,966
- 10 Years
- $59,979
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.33x
- Earning > $25K
- 69%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (3,412)
- 49%
- 100% (3,412)
- 49%
- 100% (3,412)
- 49%
- 100% (3,412)
- 49%
How University Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is University of Arizona Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, University of Arizona delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $16,674/year ($66,696 total). Graduates earn $59,979 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,612,881 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,546,185 (24.2× your investment). The median debt is $19,620, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $66,696
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,612,881
- Net Return
- $1,546,185
- ROI Multiple
- 24.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $16,674
- Median Debt
- $19,620
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Research & Teaching
Data: Times Higher Education World University Rankings
How Research-Intensive Is University of Arizona? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Arizona at #161 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 44/100, teaching at 43/100, and citation impact of 67/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
- World Rank
- #161
- Teaching
- 43
- Research
- 44.1
- Citations
- 66.9
- International
- 24.1
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 44/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 67/100
- Citation impact (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-47,210,000
Top Programs
The fields University of Arizona awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Business & Marketing 15%
- Biology & Biomedical 10%
- Health Professions 9%
- Psychology 8%
- Engineering 7%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Social Sciences 5%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for University of Arizona's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into University of Arizona? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Tucson, Arizona, University of Arizona admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 86%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,246. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend University of Arizona? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at University of Arizona is $42,278, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $16,674. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $13,353 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $19,620 in federal student loans.
Is University of Arizona Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of University of Arizona earn a median of $59,979, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
How Connected Is University of Arizona? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Arizona. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is University of Arizona? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places University of Arizona at #161 worldwide, a mark of serious research standing. Its profile spans a research score of 44/100, teaching at 43/100, and citation impact of 67/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Compare University of Arizona
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to University of Arizona.
- Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX · Close peer56% grad $56,906 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- University of HoustonHouston, TX · Close peer65% grad $62,377 earn 74% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ · Close peer68% grad $62,668 earn 90% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · Close peer67% grad $60,543 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Close peer81% grad $63,742 earn 78% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar size
- The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL · Close peer74% grad $59,221 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is University of Arizona? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at University of Arizona. Its economic connectedness score is 1.51, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.07). Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note