Arizona State University

What Arizona State University Is

Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Founded in 1885, ASU has grown into one of the largest universities in the United States, enrolling over 140,000 students across its campuses and online programmes. It is ranked 219th globally by QS in 2025 but has been named the #1 Most Innovative University in the US by US News & World Report for ten consecutive years (2016–2025), ahead of MIT and Stanford.

ASU’s innovation ranking reflects its approach to scale, access, and interdisciplinary programmes rather than traditional selectivity. The university operates four metro Phoenix campuses — Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic (Mesa), and West (Glendale) — plus a large online division. The Tempe campus is the main campus and hosts the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering and the W. P. Carey School of Business, both of which are among the largest and most enrolled in the US.

For Indian students, ASU’s appeal is straightforward: it offers recognised programmes in computer science, engineering, and business analytics at tuition fees significantly below Ivy League or top private universities, with a large and established Indian student community. ASU enrols more than 15,000 international students, with Indian nationals comprising one of the largest groups. The university’s Fulton Schools of Engineering alone has several thousand Indian graduate students.

ASU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The W. P. Carey School of Business holds AACSB accreditation, and engineering programmes are ABET-accredited.

Who It’s For

ASU is a practical choice for Indian students who:

• Want a US degree in CS, engineering, or business at a relatively affordable price — ASU’s international tuition (approximately USD 32,000–40,000/year) is substantially lower than comparable programmes at private universities (USD 55,000–65,000/year).
• Are targeting OPT (Optional Practical Training) and STEM OPT extension — ASU’s CS, engineering, and data analytics programmes qualify for the 3-year STEM OPT extension, allowing graduates to work in the US for up to 3 years after completing their degree.
• Prefer a large university with diverse programme options — ASU offers over 800 programmes. Students can explore interdisciplinary options (e.g., combining business analytics with supply chain management).
• Want an established Indian student community — ASU has one of the largest Indian student populations among US public universities, with active student organisations, cultural events, and a network of Indian alumni in Phoenix and across the US.
• Are looking for a pathway into the US tech industry — ASU’s proximity to the Phoenix tech corridor (companies like Intel, Microchip Technology, and General Dynamics have operations nearby) and its career services provide direct employer connections.

Undergraduate admission requires SAT or ACT scores (ASU is test-optional for some programmes as of 2025, but submitting scores is recommended for international students). Indian students need strong Class 12 results. English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 61+ or IELTS 6.0+ for most programmes.

Graduate admission requires a completed bachelor’s degree; GRE/GMAT is required for some programmes but waived for others. Check each programme individually.

Programs Popular with Indian Students

• BS Computer Science — 4 years. Offered through the Fulton Schools of Engineering. Strong curriculum in algorithms, systems, AI, and software engineering. One of the most enrolled programmes for Indian undergraduates. International tuition: approximately USD 33,000 per year (2025).

• BS Electrical Engineering — 4 years. ABET-accredited. Covers power systems, signals, semiconductors, and VLSI. International tuition: approximately USD 33,000 per year (2025).

• BS Business Data Analytics — 4 years. Through the W. P. Carey School of Business. Combines statistics, programming, and business strategy. See also: BSc Data Science.

• MS Computer Science — 2 years. One of the largest MS CS programmes in the US. Thesis and non-thesis tracks available. Qualifies for 3-year STEM OPT. International tuition: approximately USD 36,000 per year (2025).

• MS Electrical Engineering — 2 years. Specialisations in power systems, signal processing, and embedded systems. STEM OPT eligible.

• MS Business Analytics — 9–16 months. Through W. P. Carey. Practical, industry-oriented programme covering predictive analytics, data visualisation, and machine learning. STEM-designated.

• MBA (W. P. Carey) — 2 years. The full-time MBA is ranked among the top 50 in the US by US News. Affordable relative to top-30 MBA programmes.

Campus and Location

The Tempe campus is a large, walkable campus centred around Palm Walk and the Memorial Union. It includes the Fulton Centre (engineering), McCord Hall (W. P. Carey Business), the Hayden Library, and extensive recreation facilities including a large student fitness centre and the Sun Devil Stadium.

Tempe is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area (population approximately 4.8 million). Key practical considerations for Indian students:

• Climate: Phoenix is extremely hot in summer (temperatures regularly exceed 45°C in June–August). Air conditioning is universal, but students from most parts of India should be prepared for desert heat.
• Indian community: The Phoenix metro area has a growing Indian community concentrated in suburbs like Chandler and Gilbert. Indian grocery stores (India Plaza, Patel Brothers) and restaurants are readily available.
• Cost of living: Significantly lower than coastal US cities. Shared accommodation near campus costs approximately USD 600–900 per month. Monthly living expenses (food, transport, phone) budget approximately USD 800–1,200.
• Transport: ASU provides a free shuttle between campuses. The Valley Metro light rail connects Tempe to downtown Phoenix. A car is helpful but not essential for campus life.
• Part-time work: International students on F-1 visa can work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic term.

Costs and Financial Aid

International tuition at ASU ranges from approximately USD 31,000 to USD 40,000 per year depending on the programme and school (2025 rates). This is substantially below the USD 55,000–65,000 charged by private US research universities.

Key scholarships:

• ASU University Scholarship — automatic merit-based awards of USD 3,000–15,000 per year for international undergraduates based on GPA and test scores. No separate application required.
• Fulton Schools of Engineering Dean’s Fellowship — for strong MS/PhD engineering students. Covers partial or full tuition plus a stipend.
• W. P. Carey MBA Scholarships — merit-based awards covering 25–100% of MBA tuition.
• Graduate Assistantships — teaching and research assistantships are common in engineering and science departments, covering tuition and providing a monthly stipend (approximately USD 1,500–2,200/month).

ASU’s total cost of attendance (tuition + living) for an international student is approximately USD 45,000–55,000 per year, which is competitive for a US research university.

Things to Verify Before Applying

• SAT/ACT for undergraduates: ASU’s test-optional policy may change. Check the current policy for international applicants before applying.
• GRE/GMAT for graduate programmes: Some programmes require GRE/GMAT; others have waived it. Verify for your specific programme.
• STEM OPT eligibility: Confirm that your specific programme’s CIP code qualifies for the 3-year STEM OPT extension. Most CS, engineering, and analytics programmes do, but verify on the SEVP website.
• CPT/OPT policies: ASU’s international students office manages Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and OPT. Understand the rules — using 12+ months of CPT before graduation affects OPT eligibility.
• Health insurance: International students must enrol in ASU’s student health insurance (approximately USD 3,000/year) unless they can demonstrate equivalent coverage.
• Programme-specific campus: Some programmes are only offered at specific campuses (e.g., Polytechnic campus for some technology programmes). Verify the campus location for your programme.

Where to Go Next on This Site

• BSc Computer Science — computer science degree pathways
• BSc Data Science — data science undergraduate programmes
• MBA — MBA programme comparisons
• MSc Data Science — postgraduate data science programmes

Sources Used

• ASU — International Admission
• ASU — Facts and Figures
• QS World University Rankings — Arizona State University
• W. P. Carey School of Business