University Facts
Established in 1885, the University of Arizona is the state's flagship, land-grant institution. The U of A ranks among America's top institutions, focusing on student access and success while driving a $1 billion research enterprise and engaging communities throughout the state, nation and world. As a leading Research 1 institution and member of the Association of American Universities, the U of A advances the frontiers of interdisciplinary scholarship and entrepreneurial partnerships. With two accredited medical schools, designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, recognition as a premier university for service members, distinguished programs in management information systems, planetary sciences, dance, photography, and public and applied humanities, the U of A offers the world to its students while uplifting Arizona.
PURPOSE
Working together to expand human potential, explore new horizons and enrich life for all.
MISSION
We will continuously improve how we educate and innovate so we can lead the way in developing adaptive problem-solvers capable of tackling our greatest challenges.
VALUES
Integrity | Compassion | Exploration | Adaptation | Inclusion | Determination
ENROLLMENT
53,187 total students
- 42,075 undergraduate
- 11,112 graduate
Top Majors
- Business Administration
- Engineering
- Medicine
- Psychology
WORKFORCE (Fiscal Year 2024)
16,699 employees (including graduate assistants)
HISTORY
The University of Arizona was established in 1885. The first building, Old Main, was completed in 1890. It housed the School of Agriculture with classrooms, labs and a mess hall.
There were many obstacles on the path to opening the university. However, we never gave up on our mission. Our first graduating class of three students in 1895 set us on an incredible journey of learning and discovery with stories of wonder that continue to shape our Wildcat spirit:
- The Morrill Land-Grant Acts of 1862 and 1890 designated the University of Arizona as Arizona's land-grant university.
- Bear Down! Our beloved rallying cry, first heard in 1926, has become part of our core identity and is used by Arizona Wildcats all around the world.
- In 1937, we invented tree-ring research and opened the first lab for dendrochronology.
- We helped map the moon so that the Eagle could land in 1969, and sampled an asteroid in 2021 for the first time in U.S. history. #SpaceIsWildcatCountry
- Our military history runs deep. In 2016, on the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, we honored the service members killed on the USS Arizona with the USS Arizona Mall Memorial.
- In spring 2022, we opened the Student Success District, a restoration of iconic campus buildings with cutting-edge technologies and services to improve how students live, work and study.
