Arizona State vs Arizona

[Anonymous]

My DD was admitted to both with a lot of merit and seems determined to go to a university in the state. Any thoughts on either?

I see pros and cons of both.

For Arizona, I like the campus and size better, but I don't like having to have a connecting flight to get into Tucson. For ASU, I like its proximity to the airport and more programs, but I don't like how spread out it is and just how massive the student body is.

I'm curious what others think.

[Anonymous]

Do you want foyine girlz or foyiner girlz?

[Anonymous]

Lived in AZ since the 90s and ASU alum. Both schools are great, quite different in every way. What is the intended major? For pre-med / science - Tucson all day. Many Phoenix physicians went to U of A for undergrad. For business, CS, engineering - ASU. So much opportunity, internships in Phoenix that you won't find in Tucson.. just tons of companies moving here. Not sure about other majors.

Tucson maybe the better "traditional" campus but much of Tucson is a bit of a dump and yes you will always need a connection through Phx. Phoenix is an extraordinary, fast-growing city with a lot of opportunity and an amazing quality of life. Lots of accessible stuff to do - hiking, museums, Tempe town lake / bar scene, just everything and anything that one's heart could desire.

Both big party schools as you know, but I know tons of in-state students at both and everyone is really happy and thriving post-grad. I don't know as much about U of A honors beneifts, but ASU Barrett honors is wonderful - like a school within a school. Happy to answer any other questions.

[Anonymous]

Tucson is beautiful!!! Sabino Canyon, the Desert Museum, Mount Lemmon, the Mercado San Augustin….

There are more and more direct flights to TUS too.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tucson is beautiful!!! Sabino Canyon, the Desert Museum, Mount Lemmon, the Mercado San Augustin….

There are more and more direct flights to TUS too.

There are no direct flights from the east coast and never have been. But it’s a short drive from Phx sky harbor. I agree with PP — UA for science or anthro/archeology, ASU for business or CS. Either is good for Econ. UA has better campus and Tucson is just a better town.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

PP here - oh yes how could I forgot this!!! 🤦‍♀️

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tucson is beautiful!!! Sabino Canyon, the Desert Museum, Mount Lemmon, the Mercado San Augustin….

There are more and more direct flights to TUS too.

There are no direct flights from the east coast and never have been. But it’s a short drive from Phx sky harbor. I agree with PP — UA for science or anthro/archeology, ASU for business or CS. Either is good for Econ. UA has better campus and Tucson is just a better town.

Agree better campus but hard pass on the better town overall. But hey we have a gorgeous state so tomato tomato right!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

This is true, but the tuition and merit money is guaranteed for 4 years so that helps to know it won’t make a huge jump each year. I don’t think it will impact the students too much (I hope!).

My DD likes Arizona better. She felt that it was more of a campus and that ASU felt too spread out. Although she is in a major that is better at ASU, she preferred to be in UA’s smaller setting and will be attending next year!

[Anonymous]

Currently my daughter attends UA and I just wanted to jump in to say about housing and the honors college - secure that honors dorm asap. Housing is quite variable on campus, and that honors dorm blows every other option out of the water. Pay the deposit now because by mid-April they close it down and get waitlisted.

[Anonymous]

If your daughter can navigate big schools both are amazing options. I think ASU is becoming more popular w oos state kids, it’s filled w California kids who didn’t get into UC schools. And I think ASUs ranking will rise over the next decade. IMO u of A is a better school and experience but ASU has many benefits and is easier from east coast.

[Anonymous]

OP did not say whether the kid is in the Honors College, but maybe this is implied? If he/she is, then go to ASU. I am basing this advice on two kids currently at Barrett. If not, then figure it out based on major and whether you prefer the Tucson campus or the Tempe campus (which are totally different environments).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

This is true, but the tuition and merit money is guaranteed for 4 years so that helps to know it won’t make a huge jump each year. I don’t think it will impact the students too much (I hope!).

My DD likes Arizona better. She felt that it was more of a campus and that ASU felt too spread out. Although she is in a major that is better at ASU, she preferred to be in UA’s smaller setting and will be attending next year!

From the article:

"The university’s tuition discounting attracted more students who paid less tuition and required more staff to support the school’s growing student body. “The revenue didn’t come with the students that we needed,” Arnold said."

I would make sure that any merit or tuition guarantees are iron clad before relying on them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

This is true, but the tuition and merit money is guaranteed for 4 years so that helps to know it won’t make a huge jump each year. I don’t think it will impact the students too much (I hope!).

My DD likes Arizona better. She felt that it was more of a campus and that ASU felt too spread out. Although she is in a major that is better at ASU, she preferred to be in UA’s smaller setting and will be attending next year!

From the article:

"The university’s tuition discounting attracted more students who paid less tuition and required more staff to support the school’s growing student body. “The revenue didn’t come with the students that we needed,” Arnold said."

I would make sure that any merit or tuition guarantees are iron clad before relying on them

My daughter was given an amazing scholarship offer at UA a few years back to the point tuition was lower than for in-state AZ residents. I can see how that would cause issues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m sure you know U Arizona has a financial crisis and the president will resign in 2026?
https://azluminaria.org/2024/03/11/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-uas-financial-crisis-a-2024-recap-and-update/
It doesn’t mean the school won’t still function but it’s not great. Definitely check tuition/merit/aid if $$ matters.

This is true, but the tuition and merit money is guaranteed for 4 years so that helps to know it won’t make a huge jump each year. I don’t think it will impact the students too much (I hope!).

My DD likes Arizona better. She felt that it was more of a campus and that ASU felt too spread out. Although she is in a major that is better at ASU, she preferred to be in UA’s smaller setting and will be attending next year!

From the article:

"The university’s tuition discounting attracted more students who paid less tuition and required more staff to support the school’s growing student body. “The revenue didn’t come with the students that we needed,” Arnold said."

I would make sure that any merit or tuition guarantees are iron clad before relying on them

My daughter was given an amazing scholarship offer at UA a few years back to the point tuition was lower than for in-state AZ residents. I can see how that would cause issues.

They're competing with some southern universities on discounted tuition for OOS students. The schools they are competing with have SEC money underwriting the school with UofA has an athletics department that blew their budget by $30 million. I always wondered how to pulled off basically free tuition to OOS students when comparable schools use OOS tuition to subsidize in state