Arizona State University: A Guide for International Students

One of the largest, most research-active universities in the U.S, Arizona State University is classified as an R1: Doctoral university. 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 ASU's improvement in curriculum, campus life, research and technology. A few of the other reasons that make 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. A 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 the 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 ASU rank in the Top 25 in the U.S. 2026. The study fields of the top-ranked courses are Law, Business, Sciences, Health, etc. Detailed subject and overall rankings of Arizona State University can be checked from here. 

ASU Campuses – Where will you actually study?

There are four campuses of Arizona State University located in the 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. Download the PDF Guide to weigh in whichASU Campus is best suited for you! 

Life as an International Student at ASU

Arizona State University offers a vibrant student life with 800+ student organisations. 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, students must pack light cottons for the summer months. Winters are usually mild and pleasant in Phoenix / Tempe and there is no snow. The temperature could range between 18°C and 21°C during the day. 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 first-year

In the academic year 2025-26, more than 200,000 students enrolled at ASU. 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). An exception is applicable on a case-by-case basis.  

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

Arizona State University Tuition Fees 

For 2026-27, ASU tuition fee is USD 39,062 (Around INR 37.4 L) for Undergraduate international students. The annual tuition fee for Postgraduate international students is USD 30,348 (Around INR 29 L). The cost of living while studying at ASU can be as follows - 

New American University (NAMU) Scholarship - ASU offers merit-based scholarships to international students who showcase academic achievement. Students are considered for the merit-based scholarships of ASU once they have been admitted. 

ASU Notable Alumni 

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