The University of Arizona

The University of Arizona (UA or simply Arizona) was founded in 1885. It is the oldest and largest university in the state of Arizona. Enrollment at UA began in 1891, and the first class graduated in 1895 with only 3 students. By 1915, the university had three colleges. The following years saw the university grow steadily as Colleges of Education and Law were established in the 1920s, and the School of Business and Public Administration was founded in 1934 (reorganised as a separate college a decade later). 

Following WWII, UA expanded its programmes in health care. It established the College of Pharmacy in 1949, the College of Medicine in 1961, the College of Nursing in 1964, and the College of Public Health in 2000. The University of Arizona is also a member of the prestigious invitation-only Association of American Universities (AAU). It was ranked 103rd among ‘National Universities’ in the US News and World Report 2022. 

Some of UA’s notable alumni include Brian Schmidt, Nobel prize winner in Physics; Woody Johnson, businessman and former US Ambassador to the United Kingdom; and Craig T. Nelson, Emmy award-winning actor, among others. Let us learn more about the University of Arizona, Tucson in this article. 

Courses and Faculty 

UA is organised into 19 schools and colleges and offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees. Some of the most sought-after courses at UA are presented in the table below. 

Undergraduate Courses	Graduate Courses
B.S in Architectural Engineering	M.S in Architecture
B.S in Computer Science	M.S in Aerospace Engineering
B.S in Biomedical Engineering	Master in Business Analytics
B.S in Engineering Management	Master in Engineering Management
B.S in Public Health	Master of Public Health (MPH)
B.S in Nursing	M.S in Pharmaceutical Sciences

The institution is home to some of the world’s leading experts in various fields, including astronomy, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and optics.  For example, Prof. Peter Reiners, a geoscientist at the UA Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, is renowned for using uranium dating techniques to study how our planet formed 4.5 billion years ago. Dr Cesar Borlongan, a professor at UA’s College of Medicine, is acclaimed for his research that develops stem cell therapies for treating neurological disorders.

Research at the University of Arizona

UA’s faculty members constantly push boundaries through their cutting-edge research, which translates into real-world applications that improve humanity’s quality of life. Arizona is the fourth most awarded public university by NASA for research. With over 600 active patents and over 3,500 invention disclosures, UA ranks 15th among all universities in the country for total invention disclosures and 38th for patents issued. 

In 2018, researchers from the University of Arizona were awarded nearly $120 million in external grants and contracts to fund their work, making it one of the top recipients of federal funding among all public universities. Due to its expansive research activities, UA is categorised as an ‘R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity, a classification granted only to institutions that are engaged in extensive research activities and invest significant financial resources in them. Arizona’s research expenditure in 2021 was $791 million. 

Sports and Facilities

UA offers outstanding facilities and services that make it an ideal place to pursue your education. Some of these exceptional facilities include: 

• an Integrated Learning Center
• Clinical and Translational Sciences Research Center (CATS)
• Think Tank (for tutoring and academic support) 
• swimming pool, sand volleyball courts, a tennis centre, a football stadium with 56,000 seats, a student gym centre
• seven libraries

In addition to academic excellence, UA also boasts an impressive set of athletic teams–famous as the ‘Arizona Wildcats’–that have brought home national championships held by the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) across several sports. Plus, with an average of 350 days of sunshine per year, UA is also blessed with some of the best weather in the country—perfect for students seeking an enjoyable and productive college experience. 

Fees and Scholarships 

Not only does the University of Arizona have one of the lowest tuition rates in the country, but its aid packages are among the most generous as well. It offers millions of dollars in scholarships each year. This makes UA a smart financial choice for students and their families. 

In 2019, Forbes named the University of Arizona as one of the best value colleges for first-rate educational opportunities and affordable pricing. The estimated undergraduate tuition cost at UA for the 2022-23 term is $40,043, while the graduate tuition cost is $33,891. However, these costs are subject to change depending on individual courses. 

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at the university provides support at every step: from helping applicants complete their FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to awarding scholarships based on merit and financial need. Some of the scholarships offered at UA are the Arizona Merit Tuition Award, the Dorrance Scholarship Program, and the Arizona Flinn Scholars, among others. In addition to scholarships and grants, the university also assists with campus housing and meal plans. Thus, students can find a package that fits their budget.

Careers and Placements 

There are several opportunities provided to students to find the right placement. From online tools and informational guides to specialised courses for skill management to a dedicated Careers Centre, students receive assistance in every possible way. The Career and Placement Center assists students in finding their dream job or internship. They offer services such as resume reviews, mock interviews, and career counselling. 

The ‘UA Job Board’ is an effective online platform to help students seek employment opportunities. It includes postings from employers on and off-campus, and also for part-time, full-time, seasonal, and volunteer positions. 

Another resource is the UA LinkedIn page, which connects current students with alums working at global companies such as Google, Apple Inc., Amazon, and Lockheed Martin Corporation, among others. According to Payscale.com, the average starting salary for Arizona graduates is $57,300. 

Admission Requirements 

In order to be accepted into UA, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have an academic transcript with a grade point average of B or higher and provide certification that your secondary/high school/undergraduate education has been completed at an accredited institution. 
• Provide scores secured on standardised tests such as SAT or ACT for undergraduate courses, and GRE, GMAT, or LSAT scores for graduate courses. 
• A personal statement about your interests and goals, with an emphasis on why you want to attend that programme, and what makes you an ideal fit for the school and the chosen program. 
• You must submit letters of recommendation.
• If you are an international student, you must also provide proof of English proficiency by submitting scores obtained on tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, or Pearson PTE Academic. 

For those seeking an excellent and affordable education with great career prospects, the University of Arizona is an ideal choice. It is an investment in yourself that will pay off and last a lifetime. We hope that the information presented in this article helps you make an informed decision about applying to the University of Arizona, Tucson.  All the best!