Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2023

By James Barham

Published: Mar 16, 2021
Updated: Mar 13, 2023

Interested in attending a STEM school in Arizona? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2022

University of Arizona

66%

Arizona State University

61%

Northern Arizona University

38%

Grand Canyon University

30%

Arizona State University

88%

University of Arizona

87%

Grand Canyon University

83%

Northern Arizona University

78%

Northern Arizona University

22 to 1

Grand Canyon University

21 to 1

Arizona State University

18 to 1

University of Arizona

15 to 1

Grand Canyon University

$17,800

University of Arizona

$10,990

Arizona State University

$10,710

Northern Arizona University

$10,381

University of Arizona

$12,106

Arizona State University

$11,720

Northern Arizona University

$10,724

Grand Canyon University

$10,621

Grand Canyon University

30%

Northern Arizona University

38%

Arizona State University

61%

University of Arizona

66%

Northern Arizona University

78%

Grand Canyon University

83%

University of Arizona

87%

Arizona State University

88%

University of Arizona

15 to 1

Arizona State University

18 to 1

Grand Canyon University

21 to 1

Northern Arizona University

22 to 1

Northern Arizona University

$10,381

Arizona State University

$10,710

University of Arizona

$10,990

Grand Canyon University

$17,800

Grand Canyon University

$10,621

Northern Arizona University

$10,724

Arizona State University

$11,720

University of Arizona

$12,106

Colleges and Universities in Arizona

Both traditional and online students hoping to attend college in Arizona have a lot to choose from. With both in-person and online degrees at every level of education, Arizona offers educational variety and excellence. Students can choose from associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs anywhere in the state.

The state’s largest university, the University of Arizona located in Tucson, offers a competitive tuition rate, at $12,000, for its 39,000 students.Moreover, Arizona’s most affordable schools, such as the tribally-owned Diné College, offer tuition as low as $1,000.

Private schools make up about one third of the higher education institutes in Arizona. Arizona’s private schools offer a comprehensive range of traditional and online degrees from fine arts to naturopathic medicine.

Arizona’s public universities and colleges, such as Northern Arizona University located in Flagstaff, offer both on-campus and online students a variety of study concentrations, including mathematics, education, political science, and psychology. If you’re looking for flexibility, Arizona has 14 colleges and universities offering entirely online degrees.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Arizona is also home to three religiously affiliated schools: Arizona Christian University, Phoenix Seminary, and International Baptist College. While tuition varies greatly among these three schools, each school provides unique degree programs, such as music ministry at International Baptist College.

Arizona boasts year-round sunshine, the Grand Canyon, award-winning restaurants, and several professional sports teams? With more than 30 colleges and universities to choose from, Arizona allows students to get their degrees while cashing in on some of life’s greatest pleasures.

If you want to experience the state of Arizona while taking some online courses, you may be able to take a hybrid degree program. Many Arizona colleges and universities allow you to earn a degree through a combination of online learning and on-campus courses.

Arizona offers a variety of excellent and affordable colleges and universities for on-campus and online students at the associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree level.

What are Arizona’s Colleges & Universities?

Arizona’s Best Overall

How do we determine Arizona's best colleges and universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great! If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities for a bachelor’s degree, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching and whether their graduates are themselves advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence in their fields of study.

Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and arbitrary performance metrics. Concentrated Influence provides a ranking that is freer from bias, insulated from manipulation, and reflective of real-world educational outcomes.

To rank the influence of schools, we first determine the influence of scholars and professionals based on the number of citations and publications they have had over the past 10 years. In addition to publications and citations, we consider the web links to and from these sources, and the page views of those sources. We then match the influential people to their alma maters and institutions of employment, so that their influence is attributed to those schools. Our machine-learning Influence Ranking algorithm produces a numerical score of academic achievements, merits, and citations across Wikipedia, wikidata, Crossref, Semantic Scholar and an ever-growing body of data. If you are interested in exploring how and why we rank by influence, explore our methodology in more depth.

A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 4 research universities in Arizona. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2022

#1
University of Arizona
Tucson , AZ
#13 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #19 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #1 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
87%
Graduation
64%
Student body
40K
Median SAT/ACT
1220/25
What is University of Arizona known for?

University of Arizona’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Anthropology
Earth Sciences
Physics
Communications
Psychology
Sociology
Criminal Justice
Philosophy
History
Chemistry

Most Influential Alumni

Geraldo Rivera
Clifford Stoll
Temple Grandin
Brian Schmidt
Clyde Snow
Garry Shandling
Henry Eyring
George H. Smith
Michael McClure
Judith Rich Harris
Barbara Kingsolver
Van Jacobson
University of Arizona’s Online Degrees
BA in Africana Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Administration of Justice

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Care, Health and Society

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Emergency Medical Services

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Cyber Operations

Degree Concentrations
Engineering
Defense & Forensics
and Cyber Law & Policy

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Early Childhood

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Economy and Industry

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Environmental Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies, in Arts, Media and Entertainment

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Global and Intercultural Understanding

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Global Media

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Government and Public Service

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Human Rights Practice

Required Credits: None Reported
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Human Services

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Required Credits: 128
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Geographic Information Systems Technology (GIST)

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Literacy, Learning and Leadership

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Information Science and ESociety

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Law

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Political Science

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Regional Commerce

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BAS in Intelligence and Information Operations

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in History

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Philosophy: Ethics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Biology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nutritional Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Spanish

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Sports and Society

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sustainable Built Environments

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of General Studies in Social Behavior and Human Understanding

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#2
Arizona State University
Tempe , AZ
#22 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2023 #22 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2023 #2 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2023 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2023
Other Rankings
Tuition + fees
$11K
Acceptance
88%
Graduation
66%
Student body
73K
Median SAT/ACT
1210/24
What is Arizona State University known for?

Arizona State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Earth Sciences
Business
Communications
Chemistry
Education
Physics
Engineering
Political Science
Anthropology
Psychology

Most Influential Alumni

Jimmy Kimmel
Temple Grandin
David Spade
Robert O. Pihl
Barry Bonds
Larry Schweikart
Heather Nauert
Shaun King
Linda Ronstadt
Zhong Lin Wang
Kim Komando
Mabel Walker Willebrandt
Arizona State University’s Online Degrees
BA in Applied Science

Degree Concentrations
Project Management
Health Sciences

Required Credits: 111-120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Business

Degree Concentrations
Communication
Sustainability

Required Credits: 114-120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Educational Studies

Degree Concentrations
Business
Community Health
Family and Human Development
Global Studies
Health Innovations
Personal Health
Political Science
Organizational Leadership

Required Credits: 114-120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#3
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff , AZ
#3 Best Public Colleges in Arizona 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2023 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023 #3 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2023
Other Rankings
- #3 Best Colleges in Arizona 2023
Tuition + fees
$12K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
59%
Student body
25K
What is Northern Arizona University known for?

Northern Arizona University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Physics
Earth Sciences
Communications
Anthropology
Biology
Computer Science
Criminal Justice
Literature
Education
Political Science

Most Influential Alumni

Clyde Tombaugh
William A. Stein
Lisa Olson
Kayla Mueller
Cynthia Santana
Jennifer Roberson
Danny Jorgensen
Lattie F. Coor
Kevin Hearne
Raymond R. Rogers
R. C. Gorman
Paul Genesse
Northern Arizona University’s Online Degrees
BAS in Applied Science

Degree Concentrations
Administration
Emergency Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Public Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Bachelor of Science in Education in Career and Technical Education

Degree Concentrations
Business and Marketing
Education and Training
Family and Consumer Science
Health Careers
Industrial and Emerging Technologies
Occupational

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Dental Hygiene

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computer Information Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences

Degree Concentrations
Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Therapy
General Allied Health
Medical Assisting
Paramedic Care
Physical Therapist Assisting
Respiratory Care
Surgical Technology
Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders

Degree Concentrations
Communication General
Organizational Communication

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BBA in Business Administration

Degree Concentrations
Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Global Business
Human Resource Management
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Management
Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Interdisciplinary Studies

Degree Concentrations
Administration
Early Childhood
Technology Management
Humanities
Public Administration
Technology Management
University Studies
Emergency Management
Industrial Leadership
Technology Management
Justice Studies: Intelligence Studies
Criminal Justice Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS/BA in Management

Degree Concentrations
Health Care
Entrepreneurship and Business Development
Human Resource

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nursing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Parks and Recreation Management

Degree Concentrations
Community
Commercial and Tourism
Outdoor Education and Leadership
Park Protection

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Public Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BSW in Social Work

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school
#4
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix , AZ
#1 Best Christian Colleges in Arizona 2023 #1 Best Private Colleges in Arizona 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Arizona 2023 #4 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2023
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Grad Schools in Arizona 2023
- #4 Best Colleges in Arizona 2023
Tuition + fees
$18K
Acceptance
83%
Graduation
45%
Student body
94K
What is Grand Canyon University known for?

Grand Canyon University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

Nursing
Religious Studies
Education
Business
Political Science
Engineering
Mathematics
History
Medical
Communications

Most Influential Alumni

James White
Rachel Mitchell
Tim Salmon
James L. Pharr
Rob Babcock
Kevin Warren
Jon Hill
Horacio Llamas
Cody Ransom
Steve Green
Bayard Forrest
Killian Larson
Grand Canyon University’s Online Degrees
BS in Behavioral Health Science

Degree Concentrations
Adolescent Disorders
Family Dynamics
Infancy and Early Childhood Studies
Substance Use Disorders
Trauma

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Animation and Digital Design

Degree Concentrations
Web Design

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Entrepreneurship

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Human Resources Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Technology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Accounting

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Counseling

Degree Concentrations
Addiction
Chemical Dependency
and Substance Abuse

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Education and Early Childhood Special Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Advertising and Marketing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Business Analytics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Business Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Applied Marketing and Advertising

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Digital Film

Degree Concentrations
Screenwriting
Production

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Information Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Advertising and Graphic Design Degree

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in History

Degree Concentrations
Secondary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Computer Programming

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Cybersecurity Degree

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in English

Degree Concentrations
Professional Writing
Secondary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Health Sciences

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Entrepreneurship

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Christian Studies

Degree Concentrations
Biblical Studies
Global Ministry
Philosophy
Worship Leadership
Youth Ministry

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Administration

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Government

Degree Concentrations
Legal Studies
Public Policy

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Hospitality Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Educational Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Communications

Degree Concentrations
Broadcasting New Media
Interpersonal and Human Relations Emphasis
Political Campaigns

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education

Degree Concentrations
Christian Education
English as a Second Language
STEM
Teaching Reading

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Psychology

Degree Concentrations
Forensic Psychology

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Elementary Education and Special Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Nursuing

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Analytics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Degree Concentrations
Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Information Technology

Degree Concentrations
Cybersecurity

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Education

Degree Concentrations
Secondary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Mathematics for Secondary Education

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Information Systems

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Business Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Justice Studies

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Risk Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BA in Social Media

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sociology

Degree Concentrations
Social Work

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Finance and Economics

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Public Health

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Sports Management

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
BS in Software Development

Required Credits: 120
Completion Time: None Reported
Format: Online
Compare school

Build your own college rankings

Find the Best Research Universities in Arizona for Your Area of Interest

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2023

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2022

Colleges and Universities in Arizona

What are Arizona’s Colleges & Universities?

Arizona’s Best Overall

Best Research Universities in Arizona 2022

University of Arizona

Most Influential Alumni

University of Arizona’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Arizona State University

Most Influential Alumni

Arizona State University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Northern Arizona University

Most Influential Alumni

Northern Arizona University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Grand Canyon University

Most Influential Alumni

Grand Canyon University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Find the Best Research Universities in Arizona for Your Area of Interest