Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ · founded 1885 · 80,000 students · public research university · Pac-12

Known for: One of the largest public universities in the U.S., renowned for its innovation, entrepreneurship programs, and online education. ASU is a top research institution with a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies and accessibility.

Rankings

U.S. News national: #105
QS World: #179
Times Higher Education: #161
ARWU Shanghai: #201
Forbes: #138

Top programmes

Business
Engineering
Journalism
Sustainability
Computer Science
Psychology

Notable alumni

Barry Goldwater — U.S. Senator and political figure
Steve Allen — Television host and comedian
David Spade — Comedian and actor
Jimmy Kimmel — Television host and comedian
Kate Spade — Fashion designer
Lynda Carter — Actress (Wonder Woman)
Michael Crow — Current President of ASU
John McCain — U.S. Senator and presidential candidate

Traditions

Devil's Inferno
Homecoming parade
Lantern Walk
Sun Devil Stadium events

If Arizona State University were…

As a food: Chipotle burrito bowl — Massively scalable, customizable to the point of paralysis, innovative in its assembly-line efficiency, and ubiquitous enough that everyone has an opinion. It's not precious, but it gets the job done for millions.
As an athlete: Pat Tillman — ASU's most famous alum who embodied reinvention and unconventional choices—walking away from the NFL to serve, just as ASU pivoted from party school to innovation leader. Both represent Arizona grit and idealism.
As a person alive today: Elon Musk — Relentlessly focused on scale and innovation over tradition, willing to break every rule and absorb criticism while building something massive. ASU's 'New American University' model mirrors Musk's disruptive, move-fast-a
As a historical figure: Andrew Carnegie — Both believed in democratizing access at industrial scale—Carnegie through public libraries, ASU through online degrees and open enrollment. Education as mass production with a philanthropic veneer.
As a movie or TV show: Silicon Valley (HBO) — Scrappy, entrepreneurial energy with big ambitions and occasional chaos. Everyone's pitching a startup, disrupting something, and the line between visionary and delusional is refreshingly thin.
As a US president: Bill Clinton — Charismatic, inclusive, populist in appeal, and occasionally criticized for prioritizing growth and access over selectivity. Both expanded their reach dramatically and redefined what their institution could be, for bette
As a city: Dubai — Built at breakneck speed in the desert, prioritizing innovation and growth over tradition, attracting massive numbers with ambitious projects. Both are criticized as soulless or artificial but undeniably impressive in sc
As an element: Silicon — The backbone of semiconductors and solar panels—abundant, adaptable, and essential to modern innovation. ASU's tech focus, sustainability mission, and sheer ubiquity in higher ed mirror silicon's role in powering the dig
As a car: Tesla Cybertruck — ASU is Elon's angular fever dream—maximalist, disruptive, convinced it's reinventing higher education while throwing massive ragers in Tempe. It's got innovation labs and beer pong tables, venture capital and spring brea

Campus life

ASU has a vibrant, energetic campus life with a strong party scene, extensive Greek life, and numerous student organizations. The Tempe campus is known for its lively downtown integration and active sports culture.