As Arizona’s First University, founded in 1885, the University of Arizona now serves nearly 46,000 students, from undergraduates to doctoral candidates. A public land grant university, we work together to expand human potential, explore new horizons, and enrich life for all.

We constantly strive to be a best-in-class place to learn, research, and work. We educate innovative, adaptive learners and problem solvers who are prepared to lead meaningful lives and improve society in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Economy. Our Strategic Plan details how we intend to drive social, cultural, and economic impact, in Arizona and across the world.

As a Research I university and member of the Association of American Universities, the University of Arizona hosts two medical schools as well as the only veterinary college in Arizona. More than 16,500 faculty, staff, and graduate students produce over $687 million in research annually, ranking us among the top 20 public research universities in the nation.

Transdisciplinary research excellence – the true seamless integration across disciplinary university-community boundaries – is an undergirding philosophy deeply rooted in our history. Notably, our BIO5 Institute brings together scientists from agriculture, medicine, pharmacy, basic science, and engineering to treat disease, feed humanity, and preserve livable environments.

We strive for excellence in all our 200-plus undergraduate majors and 150 graduate programs. Our faculty are renowned for ground-breaking research in astronomy and planetary sciences; climate, environment, and solar energy; cancer and biotechnology; optical sciences; electrical and computer engineering; and management information systems. Research us yourself on our interactive FactBook.

As Arizona public employees, we enjoy comprehensive benefits. Among these are a choice of retirement plans, high-quality medical insurance subsidized at 85% of cost; and dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance plans. An unusually generous qualified tuition reduction program is one of the benefits our employees, their spouses or domestic partners, and children value most.

Who We Are

Our core values proclaim who our Wildcat community is and what we stand for:

Integrity: Be honest, respectful, and just.

Compassion: Choose to care.

Exploration: Be insatiably curious.

Adaptation: Stay open-minded and eager for what’s next.

Inclusion: Harness the power of diversity.

Determination: Bear down! (Yes, there’s a story here.)

Where We Are

Our Main and Health Sciences campuses are located near downtown Tucson. In addition, we operate a College of Applied Science & Technology in southeastern Arizona, a Biomedical Campus in Phoenix, a Veterinary College north of Tucson, and extension offices in every Arizona county. Despite a metro population of 1 million people, Tucson retains the feel of a small town where everyone knows one another. Ringed by mountains, blessed with abundant sunshine, and recognized as a bicycle-friendly city, Tucson is ideal for outdoor exploration. The second largest city in Arizona also offers cultural, artistic, and social amenities to feed your insatiable curiosity. Emblematic of the desert Southwest, the Sonoran Desert is a region steeped in Native American and Latina/o culture.

Diversity Profile

Our Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

The University of Arizona sits on the homeland of the Tohono O’odham, the Desert People. In 1775, the Spanish Presidio San Agustín de Tucsón displaced the Native people from the floodplain of the Santa Cruz River. With Mexican Independence in 1821, Tucson became part of the Mexican state of Sonora, and might still be so but for the 1853 Gadsden Purchase.

The University of Arizona takes advantage of our unique location and history through initiatives from cross-border collaborative research in arid lands and water management to workshops for women entrepreneurs in Sonora.

The Native Peoples Technical Assistance Office serves as a liaison between Native nations and the research arm of the university, focused on building capacity and research support for tribal community development.

The university of Arizona is proud to be a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and one of 9 US institutions to receive the inaugural Seal of Excelencia for demonstrating positive Latina/o student outcomes. We rank No. 1 for the number of doctoral degrees awarded to Native American students, and No. 9 for the number awarded to Latina/o students.

Student success, particularly educational equity for historically underserved groups, is an institutional priority. We have more than 10,000 First Cats (first-generation college students). The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center is nationally recognized for its innovative and successful academic support programs for students with learning and attention challenges.

The University of Arizona has many student cultural clubs and organizations. View the list on the Equity, Inclusion, and Title IX website.

These are some of our cutting-edge centers and programs:

Arizona Hispanic Center of Excellence (AZ-HCOE) works to increase the number of Latina/o physicians, enhance health research serving Latinas/os, and improve the cultural competency of health care services in Latina/o communities.

Binational Migration Institute (BMI) is an association of US and Mexican scholars researching the consequences of immigration enforcement policies on Latina/o communities.

Institute for LGBT Studies develops curriculum, promotes research, and presents public programming addressing the histories, politics, and cultures of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

Institute for the Study of Religion and Culture (ISRC) serves as a research and outreach center focused on the role of religion in international politics.

Native American Research and Training Center (NARTC) conducts health-related research and training projects to help improve quality of life for Native Americans.

Native Nations Institute (NNI) conducts policy analysis and research dedicated to building capable Native nations.