University of Arizona combines accessible admission with strong economic mobility outcomes. As an Opportunity Builders institution, the university serves diverse student populations while maintaining above-average affordability and delivering meaningful earnings growth, supporting long-term financial stability for graduates across multiple fields.
With above average results, driven by solid long-term earnings relative to educational investment
With above average performance, reflecting controlled costs and reasonable debt levels
With exceptional performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
With exceptional performance, reflecting the university's effectiveness in converting educational access into economic advancement
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of Arizona delivers above-average earnings outcomes with manageable debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $59,979 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 71st percentile nationally.
Earnings range from $38,990 at the 25th percentile to $92,199 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across disciplines. While graduates earn $4,174 below expectations relative to similar students nationally, low-income graduates achieve strong outcomes at $51,700, ranking in the top 25% nationally.
Students seeking a large public research university with open admission and strong program diversity, particularly in STEM and business fields. Well-suited for first-generation students (31.4%) and those from diverse economic backgrounds who value accessible education with solid post-graduation outcomes.
University of Arizona's Opportunity Builders designation reflects strong economic mobility potential.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Arizona hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-arizona/analysis.
Top 3% nationally for economic mobility
University of Arizona ranks #74 nationally in Azimuth's composite rankings, with mobility performance at the 97.6th percentile. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public research university maintains open admission standards with an 85.7% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 26.2% Pell-eligible students and 31.4% first-generation students, demonstrating substantial commitment to educational access. University of Arizona achieves earnings performance ranking at the 71st percentile nationally, with graduates earning a median of $59,979 ten years after enrollment.
While earnings fall $4,174 below expectations based on student demographics, the university combines accessible admission with strong outcomes across multiple fields. This positions University of Arizona as an Opportunity Builders institution, where broad educational access accompanies solid economic advancement potential for diverse student populations.
University of Arizona admits 85.7% of applicants, meaning roughly 5 in 6 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the university in the Open Access category, where admission rates exceed 75%.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows University of Arizona is slightly more accessible than typical large public institutions, accepting about 8 percentage points more applicants than peer schools. This open admission policy reflects the university's commitment to broad educational access while maintaining academic standards through other measures.
Students should understand that while admission is relatively accessible, success depends on academic preparation and fit with the university's expectations. The high acceptance rate means most academically prepared students can gain admission, making University of Arizona an excellent option for students seeking a research university experience without the uncertainty of highly competitive admission processes.
This accessibility supports the university's role as an Opportunity Builders institution, providing pathways for diverse student populations. For students building balanced college lists, University of Arizona serves as a strong target or safety school depending on their academic preparation, offering solid outcomes with predictable admission prospects.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Arizona's published cost of attendance reaches $28,543 annually, including $13,626 in-state tuition, $14,400 for room and board, and $800 for books and supplies. Out-of-state students face significantly higher tuition of $41,095, bringing their total cost to $56,295.
However, the average student pays just $15,960 after financial aid, representing savings of $12,583 from the sticker price. This net price falls $370 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability among large public universities.
The financial aid system substantially reduces costs for most families, with net prices varying significantly by income level. University of Arizona's combination of reasonable sticker prices and meaningful financial aid creates accessible pathways for students across economic backgrounds.
The university's above-average affordability performance at the 67.8th percentile reflects this effective cost management. Net prices remain manageable even for middle-income families who may not qualify for maximum aid, supporting the university's commitment to broad educational access.
For Arizona residents, the in-state tuition advantage creates particularly attractive value propositions when combined with solid post-graduation outcomes.
University of Arizona graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth over time. Median earnings rise from $47,665 six years after enrollment to $55,966 at eight years and $59,979 at ten years, representing 25.8% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 8,143 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across the university's diverse program portfolio. Low-income graduates earn $51,700, ranking at the 95.8th percentile nationally and placing in the top 25% for this critical mobility measure.
Earnings span from $38,990 at the 25th percentile to $92,199 at the 75th percentile, reflecting meaningful differences in program choice and career trajectory. The 2.4:1 ratio between high and low earners demonstrates substantial variation in outcomes.
Approximately 24.5% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. The university's 87.7% retention rate and 65.9% six-year completion rate, with Pell students graduating at 55.5%, reflect institutional support for degree attainment across diverse student backgrounds.
Computer Science.
176 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
128 graduates
Mining and Mineral Engineering.
21 graduates
Systems Engineering.
52 graduates
Chemical Engineering, Other.
71 graduates
University of Arizona offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with sufficient federal earnings data for ranking. Computer Science leads outcomes at $100,241 median earnings, ranking #83 nationally and #2 in Arizona with 176 graduates.
Banking and Financial Support Services ranks #40 nationally and #1 in Arizona, producing 212 graduates earning $84,392 with a strong value score of 80.9. Mechanical Engineering graduates earn $84,259, ranking #68 nationally and #2 in Arizona.
Information Resources Management ranks #18 nationally and #1 in Arizona with 172 graduates earning $81,178. Communication and Media Studies ranks #24 nationally and #1 in Arizona, graduating 280 students with median earnings of $63,294.
Psychology represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 422 students annually and ranking as a flagship program. These programs demonstrate University of Arizona's strength across STEM, business, and liberal arts fields.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Texas Tech University Similar quality tier in Southwest (#73 ranked) | TX | 71% | $62,454 | #73 | Compare |
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill Similar quality tier (#75 ranked) | NC | 19% | $72,200 | #75 | Compare |
Michigan State University Similar quality tier (#76 ranked) | MI | 84% | $67,253 | #76 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Madison Similar quality tier (#77 ranked) | WI | 43% | $73,792 | #77 | Compare |
Louisiana State University And Agricultural & Mechanical College Similar quality tier in Southwest (#78 ranked) | LA | 74% | $61,251 | #78 | Compare |