The University of Arizona is the state's flagship public research university, based in Tucson. It is best known for astronomy, optical sciences, engineering and management, and for building instruments for NASA missions. Choose it for a large public research university with lower costs than the US coasts.
Tucson, United States
Official website: arizona.edu
#262
Top 10 in the world (ShanghaiRanking)
Member
Over USD 900 million a year
$32,000 – $42,000
International students, non-resident undergraduate and master's rates
$14,000 – $18,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on arizona.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 79
MS Electrical and Computer Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 79
MS Optical Sciences
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 79
MS Data Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 79
MBA (Eller College of Management)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Computer Science
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 70
Astronomy and planetary science — leads NASA missions and runs the world's largest telescope mirror lab.
Wyant College of Optical Sciences — the top optics programme in the US.
Eller College of Management — AACSB-accredited, top-25 US for management information systems.
Tucson — over 350 sunny days a year and the Sonoran Desert on the doorstep.
Graduates join Raytheon, Intel, Amazon, Honeywell and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Optical sciences alumni are hired by Apple, Meta and the semiconductor industry for imaging and photonics work.
Engineering bachelor's graduates report median starting salaries around USD 70,000-80,000.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The campus is a 380-acre desert site of red-brick buildings and palm trees just north of downtown Tucson, with a streetcar linking it to the city centre.
Tucson is a mid-sized desert city ringed by mountains, with low rent, strong Mexican food culture and mild winters. Summers are hot, and a bike or car helps.
Form I-20 issued by the University of Arizona
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Undergraduate admission is rolling, with a 1 November 2026 priority date for fall 2027 that gives the best chance at merit awards; applications stay open into spring. Graduate deadlines are set by each programme, with most engineering and computer science master's closing between December and February.
Undergraduates can start in fall (August) or spring (January). Many engineering, computer science and optical sciences master's programmes also admit for spring, while the Eller MBA and data science are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. International Student Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
Computer science, electrical and computer engineering, optical sciences, data science and the Eller MBA attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a bachelor's degree with a GPA of at least 3.0, TOEFL 79-100 or IELTS 7.0, and the GRE for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is based mainly on grades.
Yes. International undergraduates are automatically considered for merit tuition awards based on their grades when they apply, though need-based aid is not available. Graduate students can apply for teaching and research assistantships, which are common in astronomy, optics, engineering and the sciences.
