How ASU is funded
Tuition is an investment in you:
The tuition you pay for your college education is the best investment you can make in your future. Unlike commodities such as food, fuel and cars that are consumed and/or depreciate in value over time, a college education lasts a lifetime. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, average annual earnings of individuals with a bachelor's degree are more than 75 percent higher than the earnings of high school graduates. But financial gain is not the only benefit. A college experience will open your eyes and mind to the world, challenge you to think in new and innovative ways, and provide you with the knowledge and skills to make a difference.
Your college experience is made possible by the investments of many people who care about your future. Tuition and fees cover only part of the costs associated with fulfilling the educational aspirations of more than 70,000 ASU students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. It also covers only a fraction of the costs of facilities to support teaching and research, and the operating expenses associated with libraries, student services and athletic facilities. The citizens of Arizona, through their taxpayer dollars, currently invest $4,134 per year in your education. Private investors also contribute to provide you with the best educational experience money can buy.
How tuition is determined:
The level of tuition is determined by the cost of delivering a quality education in a highly-efficient and effective fashion and the extent to which that it can be offset by state funding. This required rate of tuition would allow higher education to be affordable and reasonable for students and parents and at the same time provide the level of resource support necessary to ensure a quality undergraduate experience.
Maintaining tuition affordability is critical:
Over the past decade, while tuition has risen, the ability to provide substantially higher funding for financial aid has enabled Arizona State University to provide support for qualified students at all income levels, thereby increasing access to a quality four-year university education.