Founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School at Tempe, Arizona State University is a major public research university headquartered in Tempe, Arizona. Spanning five vibrant campuses across the Phoenix metropolitan area alongside online learning networks, ASU is celebrated globally as America's most innovative university, pioneering accessible higher education and high-impact research. You can explore its founding charter, territorial origins, and campus development through the Arizona State University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you join the student body at ASU, you step into a dynamic, forward-looking academic ecosystem situated in the Valley of the Sun. Living in Tempe places you inside a thriving technological hub filled with software labs, corporate headquarters, desert hiking trails, and cultural arts venues.
Premier Academic Programs
ASU hosts 17 specialized colleges and schools holding national reputations across diverse disciplines:
- W. P. Carey School of Business: Top-ranked business school famous for supply chain management, business analytics, real estate, and finance. Explore degree paths on the W. P. Carey School of Business portal.
- Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering: One of the largest engineering schools in the nation, leading research in semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, computer science, and civil infrastructure.
- Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law: Premier public law school located in downtown Phoenix, specializing in health policy, legal writing, and constitutional law.
- Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication: Renowned journalism school delivering hands-on newsroom production and investigative reporting experience.
- College of Health Solutions: Focuses on health disparities, biomedical informatics, diagnostics, and community health interventions.
"Measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed, serves as ASU's guiding New American University charter."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily undergraduate student experience centers on Palm Walk, Old Main quadrangle, and the Memorial Union. School spirit revolves around Sparky the Sun Devil, the energetic costumed mascot who leads student cheers during NCAA Division I Big 12 Conference athletic events. You can read about spirit traditions and mascot history on the official ASU Sun Devils Athletics portal. Cheering inside Mountain America Stadium for football games, attending concerts at Gammage Auditorium, and joining over 1,000 student clubs creates an extraordinary campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Space Exploration
ASU operates an extraordinary multi-billion-dollar research enterprise leading global advances in planetary science and biotechnology:
- School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE): World-leading space research institute designing scientific instruments for NASA space missions, including the Psyche mission.
- Biodesign Institute: Interdisciplinary research facility producing breakthroughs in bio-inspired materials, infectious disease vaccines, and diagnostic sensors. Learn more via ASU Research Operations.
- Global Futures Laboratory: Global hub for sustainability science, ocean conservation, and climate adaptation policy.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of Supreme Court justices, Hall of Fame athletes, corporate leaders, and media icons, including:
- Sandra Day O'Connor: First female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, who supported educational civic initiatives at ASU.
- Phil Mickelson: World Golf Hall of Fame member and six-time major championship winner who earned his degree at ASU.
- Jimmy Kimmel: Emmy Award-winning television host and comedian who attended Arizona State University.
- Pat Tillman: NFL player and military hero who earned his business degree with honors at ASU.
ASU provides full tuition coverage for eligible Arizona undergraduate families through the College Promise financial aid program. Review complete application steps and deadlines on the official ASU Undergraduate Admissions portal.