6 Best Universities In Arizona For International Students 2025

Arizona is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences.

Out of 6 universities in Arizona, University of Arizona and Arizona State University are the top-performing schools in Arizona. This list covers both public and private institutions in Arizona.

In this article, we’ve compiled the best universities in Arizona. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Arizona.

Rank University Country Type
1 University of Arizona United States Public
2 Arizona State University United States Public
3 Northern Arizona University United States Public
4 Grand Canyon University United States Private
5 Prescott College United States Private
6 University of Advancing Technology United States Private

How do I get admission to the best universities in Arizona?

Applying to the universities in Arizona involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Arizona to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Arizona?

Tuition fees at Arizona’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 16,500 USD to 39,600 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 16,500 USD to 35,300 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Arizona!

As we cover the best universities in Arizona for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Arizona for International Students

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#46 in United States
#52 in North America
#108 in World
Percentage of International Students
8%
Total Number of students - 49,471
International Number of students - 4,000

The University of Arizona is a world-class higher education institution that was established by the 13th Arizona Territorial Legislature. It’s famously known as the very first university in the state. Recently the university expanded its affiliations and acquired Ashford University in 2021 which became known as the University of Arizona Global Campus.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#49 in United States
#56 in North America
#130 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 135,729

Arizona State University (ASU) is a top-leading and world-class public research university in Phoenix, the largest city in Arizona. It was originally established in 1885 as Territorial Normal School to train teachers and educators for the state. The university became more developed throughout its inception; expanding its academic campuses, increasing and diversifying its academic programs, and improving its quality of education and research which led to opening its doors to thousands of degree-seeking students in various fields of interest. ASU is known as one of the most competitive higher education institutions in the United States.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#102 in United States
#119 in North America
#366 in World
Percentage of International Students
35%
Total Number of students - 28,718
International Number of students - 9,950

Established in 1833, Northern Arizona University was initially formed as a teacher’s college. Over the years, it has undergone several redevelopments and improvements. It has expanded to provide higher education programs in various fields of study. Its main campus is in Flagstaff, Arizona, but it has numerous locations across the state where students have more options for which site to study. Moreover, it also offers over a hundred online programs to accommodate students from across the globe.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#529 in United States
#595 in North America
#1786 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 25,000

Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a privately funded institution that has been in the industry since 1949. GCU is a Christian university whose study programs are aligned with the Christian context. While it is known for providing top-rated programs in theology and ministry, it also offers various academic disciplines in business, education, engineering, medical sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The university is already one of Arizona’s leading private higher education schools. Still, it continues to invest in developing world-class programs to offer to its diverse student body.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1038 in United States
#1141 in North America
#3356 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 1,048

Prescott College is a private institution on the west side of the US. It is ranked 94th in the region by US News for 2022. This liberal arts college is dedicated not just to the field but also to social justice and the environment, as reflected in its motto. Although both undergrad and grad programs are available, only undergraduate courses are offered on-campus. The rest are taught online for flexibility and convenience.

StudyAbroadAide World Rankings
#1411 in United States
#1539 in North America
#4761 in World
Percentage of International Students
No Available Data
Total Number of students - 1,000

The University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is a private university in Tempe, Arizona. It began as the CAD Institute for engineers and architects in 1983. UAD offers associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs in various areas of study including technology innovation, video game design, digital media, cyber security, robotics, and computer science.

We know that choosing your dream school in Arizona not an easy task. After all, you need to consider other factors like the cost of your education, school background, and population, as it can be overwhelming on your part.

So, to help you out further in weighing your school options for studying in Arizona, make sure to visit our list of the best public and private universities in Arizona! These articles will surely help you in deciding your next study destination!