Arizona State University: A Guide for International Students

Arizona State University is the No. 1 public university chosen by international students. It hosts one of the largest international student communities among the U.S. public universities, with Indian students forming the largest group of students. Over 5,600 Indian students were enrolled at Arizona State University in 2025. What makes ASU a standout university in the U.S. is that it has been ranking at #1 in the U.S. for innovation consecutively for 11 years. 

Arizona State University is one of the largest, most research-active universities in the U.S. with R1 designated status. From being ranked as a top ranked university for Innovation in the U.S. to having a diverse international student community and achievable admission requirements, ASU offers accessibility and ambition. This guide breaks down why ASU is a strong choice for studies, what to expect from life as an international student at this university, admission requirements that must be met, and more.

What makes Arizona State University Different?

Arizona State University has been ranked at No. 1 for innovation in the 2026 Best Colleges rankings by U.S. News & World Report. For 11 years now, ASU ranking for innovation in U.S. is #1. This ranking showcases the university’s improvement in curriculum, campus life, research and technology. A few of the other reasons that makes ASU a top choice for Indian students are-

• Easy to get into - Arizona State University has a high admit rate of 90%. This a great opportunity for students who are aiming to take admission to this university. 
• Great employability record – ASU ranks at #2 in the U.S. for employability among public universities in the GEURS Survey of employers for 2026. A few of the top recruiters of the MBA graduates include Amazon, Deloitte, PwC, IBM, Intel, etc. 
• A wide range of course options available – Over 400+ UG course options and 450+ PG course options are available for students. Few study areas for Arizona State University are Business, Arts, Science, Communication and Media, etc. At Arizona State University, STEM degrees are also available. In various programs offered by W.P. Carey School of Business, STEM OPT Extension for up to 36 months is applicable for international students. This STEM OPT option may help international students land jobs in the U.S. Many Master’s courses at ASU are available for STEM-OPT extension such as Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, and more. 
• Top Ranked Programs – Many of the W.P. Carey School of Business Programs of Arizona State University rank in the Top 25 in the U.S. 2026. In total, 27 graduate programs of ASU rank among the Top 25 in the U.S. and 11 graduate programs are ranked in the Top 10 in the U.S. The study fields of the top ranked courses are Law, Business, Sciences, Health, etc. Detailed subject and overall rankings of Arizona State Uiversity can be checked from here. 

ASU Campuses – Where will you actually study?

There are four campuses of Arizona State University located in Phoenix Metropolitan area in Arizona. These campuses are Tempe Campus, West Valley Campus, Downtown Phoenix Campus, and West Valley Campus. ASU has other local & regional learning centers. Details about the campuses of Arizona State University are-

 Arizona State University offers 350+ online degrees in many study fields like Business, Engineering, Science, Health and Nursing, Technology, etc. 

Life as an International Student at ASU

Arizona State University offers a vibrant student life with 800+ student organizations. The categories of student clubs are health, academic or professional, sports, and more. There is also an active Indian Student Association at ASU which hosts various events like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri. It also assists students with academic and airport pickup.

• Weather – Summers in Arizona are extremely hot and dry. The temperature in daytime crosses 40°C, with around 45°C in June – July. So, to adjust comfortably the students must pack light cottons for Summer months. Winters are usually mild and pleasant in Phoenix / Tempe and there is no snow. The temperature could range between 18°C - 21°C in daytime. No intense Winter weather is a reliever for Indian students as no extreme cold weather clothes are required.
•   Housing – A no. of housing options are available for students at ASU. The housing options available for first year students are Adelphi Commons I, Barrett Complex, Manzanita Hall, etc.
•   Part Time Work – International students who want to work part time while studying at ASU can work 20 hours per week and 40 hours during the university’s breaks.

Who Studies at ASU – Enrollment Stats & Eligibility 

In the academic year 2025-26, more than 200,000 students enrolled. Out of this, 119,300 are pursuing degrees online. At Tempe Campus, around 51,200 students are enrolled. The total no. of international students enrolled at ASU in Fall 2026 is 11,500.

• Acceptance Rate – For Indian students, Arizona State University acceptance rate is around 90%. This suggests that ASU is easier to get into. This gives an upper hand to students who have a good academic record and meet all the entry requirements to get into ASU.
• GPA requirements – To study at Arizona State University, international students requires a GPA of 3.0. For admission to UG courses, a GPA of 3.0 is required in High School. Whereas, for admission to PG courses of ASU, the students must have a Bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0.
• Is a 3-year Bachelor’s degree accepted? For admission to Arizona State University, a U.S. degree equivalent Bachelor’s degree is required. Duration of the Bachelor’s degree required is 4 years or more (3 years of Bachelor’s degree + 2 years of Master’s degree). Exception is applicable on a case-to-case basis.  

In case, students have any doubts, they can reach out to our Study Abroad Counsellors. 

ASU Notable Alumni 

Arizona State University has a global network of 700,000 alumni. The popular names included in the list of ASU alumni are-