Arizona State University has ranked #1 in U.S. News & World Report's "Most Innovative Universities" list for ten consecutive years — not a participation trophy, but a signal that ASU is doing something structurally different. With over 800 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and an online enrollment that topped 120,000 students in 2024, ASU degrees carry real market weight. This guide breaks down what's actually worth pursuing, what it costs, and how to decide if ASU is the right fit for your goals.
What ASU Degrees Are Available
ASU offers degrees across four main modalities: in-person at one of its four Tempe-area campuses, fully online through ASU Online, hybrid, and immersion programs that blend both. The scope is broader than most applicants realize.
Undergraduate Degrees
ASU confers bachelor's degrees across 350+ areas of study, organized into colleges like the W. P. Carey School of Business, the Fulton Schools of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the Ira A. Fulton School of Informatics. Popular ASU degrees at the undergrad level include Computer Science, Computer Systems Engineering, Business Data Analytics, Nursing (BSN), Psychology, and Sustainability. Many of these are available fully online.
Graduate and Professional Degrees
ASU's graduate catalog covers master's, doctoral, and professional programs. The MBA through W. P. Carey is one of the more recognized online business degrees in the country. The Master of Computer Science is available entirely online and is priced competitively against Georgia Tech's OMSCS. Law degrees (JD) are offered through the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, and the med school pathway runs through the University of Arizona College of Medicine — Phoenix, in partnership with ASU.
Online-Only Programs
ASU Online offers 300+ degree programs that lead to the same diploma as on-campus study — no "online" notation appears on the degree. That matters for employers who still scrutinize credentials. Online ASU degrees span business, education, engineering, health, social work, and the liberal arts. Admission standards are the same across modalities for most programs.
ASU Degrees: Real Tuition Numbers
Sticker shock is common here, so let's use actual figures. For the 2025–2026 academic year:
- In-state undergrad (on-campus): ~$12,700/year in tuition
- Out-of-state undergrad (on-campus): ~$32,300/year in tuition
- ASU Online undergrad: $550–$750/credit hour depending on program (roughly $16,500–$22,500/year for full-time)
- Graduate programs: $750–$1,200/credit hour; the online MCS runs ~$650/credit
Online out-of-state students often pay less than in-state on-campus rates, which is why ASU Online draws heavily from California, Texas, and the Northeast. Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition reimbursement apply to online programs — don't skip the FAFSA.
Which ASU Degrees Have the Strongest Career Outcomes
The most-searched question around ASU degrees isn't about curriculum — it's "is it worth it?" The honest answer depends heavily on what you study.
High-ROI Programs
Computer Science (BS/MS): Median starting salaries for ASU CS graduates trend between $85,000–$105,000. The online MS in CS is particularly strong for career changers with a technical background looking to formalize credentials without quitting a job.
Electrical Engineering: ASU's Fulton Schools are genuinely well-regarded among semiconductor and aerospace employers in the Phoenix corridor — and increasingly among remote-hiring tech companies. Starting salaries run $75,000–$95,000.
Business Data Analytics (W. P. Carey): A relatively new program aligned with employer demand. Graduates move into analyst and BI roles paying $60,000–$80,000 at entry level.
Nursing (BSN to DNP pathway): Healthcare wages are less variable than tech, but ASU's nursing programs are accredited by ACEN and respected by hospital systems in the Southwest and beyond.
Programs Where You Should Compare Alternatives
Liberal Arts and Social Sciences: An ASU degree in Psychology or Communication is legitimate education, but if the primary goal is employment, the brand alone won't carry you. The outcome depends far more on internships, portfolio, and networking than the diploma.
General MBA: The W. P. Carey MBA is solid but not a top-10 MBA in employer perception. If you're targeting investment banking or consulting, compare Georgetown, Tepper, or Ross programs. If you're in the Southwest job market or want flexibility, ASU is competitive.
Admission Requirements for ASU Degrees
ASU's undergraduate admission is more accessible than its peer group — the university operates with an "access plus excellence" philosophy, meaning it actively avoids being artificially selective. That said, programs like nursing and engineering have competitive secondary admits.
- Undergrad GPA floor: 3.0 unweighted (top 25% of class) or SAT 1120+/ACT 24+
- Transfer students: 2.5+ GPA with 24+ transferable credits
- Graduate programs: Varies by program; most require 3.0+ undergraduate GPA. Some MS programs require GRE; the MCS does not.
- ASU Online: Same admission standards as on-campus for most programs
International applicants need TOEFL 80+ or IELTS 6.5+. Most programs have rolling admission with priority deadlines in November (spring) and February (fall).
Top Courses to Supplement Your ASU Degree
Whether you're preparing for ASU admission, filling gaps during enrollment, or adding credentials to your resume alongside your ASU degree, these online courses are worth considering.
Corporate Finance I: Measuring and Promoting Value Creation
Directly relevant if you're pursuing a W. P. Carey MBA or a finance concentration — covers NPV, capital structure, and shareholder value in a way that front-loads the analytical reasoning ASU's graduate finance courses assume you already have.
Assess for Success: Marketing Analytics and Measurement
A practical complement to ASU's Business Data Analytics degree — covers attribution modeling, campaign ROI, and measurement frameworks that employers ask about in interviews, regardless of your degree program.
Measuring and Maximizing Impact of COVID-19 Contact Tracing
Useful for public health, epidemiology, or healthcare administration students — teaches quantitative impact assessment methodology directly applicable to health policy coursework at ASU's College of Health Solutions.
Writing for Young Readers: Opening the Treasure Chest
A strong elective-style course for Education or English majors at ASU — helps develop the narrative and audience-awareness skills that translate directly into curriculum design and educational content work.
The Art & Science of Drawing / Measuring & Proportion
Relevant for students in ASU's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts — foundational proportion and spatial reasoning skills that apply across graphic design, architecture, and visual communication programs.
FAQ
Are ASU online degrees respected by employers?
For most employers, yes. ASU Online diplomas do not indicate they were earned online — you receive the same credential as on-campus graduates. The exception is high-prestige employers (top consulting firms, bulge-bracket banks) where the overall program ranking matters more than delivery format. For tech, healthcare, education, and general business roles, ASU Online is well-regarded.
How long do ASU degrees take to complete?
A standard bachelor's degree takes four years full-time. Online students who transfer in credits or take heavier courseloads sometimes finish in 2.5–3 years. Master's programs typically run 18–24 months. The online MCS can be completed in 18 months at 2 courses per semester.
Can I get ASU degrees entirely online?
Yes. ASU Online offers 300+ degrees that are fully remote — no campus visits required. Some clinical, lab, or student teaching requirements may require in-person components, particularly in nursing, education, and engineering programs. Check the specific program page for residency requirements before enrolling.
What is the acceptance rate for ASU?
ASU's overall undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 89%, making it one of the more accessible large research universities in the U.S. Acceptance to specific competitive programs (nursing, engineering honors) is lower. Graduate acceptance rates vary — the online MCS is more selective than ASU's overall rate suggests.
Does ASU offer scholarships for online students?
ASU Online students are eligible for federal financial aid, ASU merit scholarships, and program-specific awards. The New American University Scholarship is available to first-year undergrads with strong GPAs. Many employers also offer tuition assistance that can be applied to ASU Online programs — check with your HR department before assuming you'll pay out-of-pocket.
How does ASU Online compare to WGU or SNHU?
ASU Online is more research-intensive and offers stronger brand recognition than WGU or SNHU. It's also more expensive. WGU's competency-based model lets fast learners finish quickly at a flat rate. SNHU competes on price. If employer perception of your institution matters in your field, ASU generally carries more weight than either alternative.
Bottom Line
ASU degrees are a legitimate credential with real market value — particularly in technology, engineering, business, and healthcare. The online programs are especially competitive on price-to-reputation ratio compared to out-of-state flagship alternatives. If you're a working adult, an out-of-state student who doesn't want to relocate, or a career changer who needs a recognized degree without pausing your income, ASU Online is worth a serious look.
Do your homework on the specific program, not just the university brand. Look up median starting salaries for graduates in your target field, check whether the program requires any in-person components, and compare the per-credit cost against state university alternatives in your region. The diploma matters — but the field you choose and the work you put in matters more.