Your Guide to Arizona's Top Colleges

Known as the Grand Canyon State, Arizona is celebrated for its enviable sunshine, year-round golf and some of the world's best resorts and spas.

Arizona also is home of some of the nation's best colleges.

There are numerous colleges located in Arizona, from large public institutions to smaller specialized schools. Here is a glimpse at just a few of the many collegiate opportunities available in Arizona.

Arizona State University

Defining itself as a "comprehensive public metropolitan research university," Arizona State University was first founded as a teachers college in 1885. Today, ASU has expanded from one campus located in Tempe, Arizona to four campuses located throughout metropolitan Phoenix.

The public university serves more than 64,000 students and offers more than 250 academic undergraduate programs, 375 graduate programs, 25 online programs and numerous professional certificate programs.

The school has received several awards over the years. Most recently ASU was ranked No. 395 among all national universities on Forbes's "America's Best Colleges 2008" listing.

U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges 2009" ranked the institution at No. 121 among its "first tier" national universities and No. 60 among its public national universities listing. The school also was ranked No. 32 among its "Best Master's Universities (West)" subcategory.

ASU comprises several prestigious schools and colleges, including the W.P. Carey School of Business, which was ranked No. 29 on U.S. News and World Report's "Best Business Schools 2009" listing. Another notable school within the ASU system is the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering, which is ranked among the top 10 percent of all accredited engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and boasts 10 academic programs ranked in the top 35.

University of Arizona

Located in Tucson, Arizona, the University of Arizona is considered one of the leading research universities in the Southwest and is the state's only member of the prestigious Association of American Universities.

With more than 38,000 students, U of A offers more than 150 undergraduate and more than 200 graduate degree programs. The public institution comprises 18 colleges and 12 schools located on three campuses.

Like ASU, U of A has been recognized on several occasions for its academic performance. The university was ranked No. 383 among all national universities on Forbes's "America's Best Colleges 2008" listing.

Additionally, U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges 2009" ranked the institution at No. 96 among its "first tier" national universities listing and No. 45 among its public national universities listing.

Individual schools at U of A also have been recognized nationally. The institution's management information systems program, social psychology program and rehabilitation program were ranked No. 5 on U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges 2009" listing.

Smaller Arizona Colleges

Located on a lush 738-acre campus in Flagstaff, Arizona, Northern Arizona University offers a smaller, more intimate learning environment compared to its two larger siblings to the south, ASU and U of A. The public university is home to more than 22,500 students and was named one of the nation's best values in public colleges and the best value in the state by Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine.

Grand Canyon University, a private university, is located in Phoenix and boasts an online and campus-based enrollment of more than 25,000. The regionally accredited school offers bachelor's and master's degree programs and was ranked as one of the top five online colleges for entrepreneurs by Fortune.

Comprising 10 colleges, two skill centers and numerous education centers, Maricopa Community Colleges provides affordable education opportunities to residents throughout Maricopa County. The colleges offer approximately 1,000 occupational programs (degrees and certificates) and 37 academic associate degrees.