University of Arizona is a public institution that was founded in 1885. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,565, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 391 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. University of Arizona's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 119. Its in-state tuition and fees are $10,391 (2013-14); out-of-state tuition and fees are $27,073 (2013-14).

As one of the largest public institutions in its state, the University of Arizona in Tuscon offers a wide range of activities and academic opportunities to its students. Student athletic supporters form the ZonaZoo, the student section that supports the Arizona Wildcats sports teams, which compete in the NCAA Division I Pac-12 Conference. For athletes who don’t compete on the school’s teams, there are three levels of intramural sports: the Desert league, which emphasizes fun; the Sunset league, geared to moderate athletes; and the Cactus league, meant for very skilled and competitive athletes. For other ways to get involved, University of Arizona students can check out more than 30 fraternities and sororities, among many other student organizations. 

Freshmen are not required to live on campus, though first year students make up about 80 percent of the on-campus residential population. Each year, the university community gathers for events like the Spring Fling, billed as the largest student-run carnival in the country, and Homecoming. As a research institution, the University of Arizona also offers a variety of opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research projects. The university has a wide range of graduate student programs, including the Eller College of Management,  the James E. Rogers College of Law, and a College of Medicine. Notable alumni of the University of Arizona include former presidential candidate Bob Dole, reality television stars Nicole Richie and KourtneyKardashian, and journalist Geraldo Rivera

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):
Located in the heart of Tucson, the University of Arizona is one of the top-ranked research universities in the nation.
Surrounded by mountains and the high Sonoran desert, the campus boasts a distinctive southwestern look and enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Approximately 40,000 students are enrolled at the University of Arizona, coming from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The UA offers more than 100 academic and professional degree tracks, taught by some of the nation's preeminent scholars, and a vibrant campus atmosphere at a cost well below most other colleges and universities in the United States.

Applying
When applying to University of Arizona, it's important to note the application deadline is May 1. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due May 1. The application fee at University of Arizona is $50. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 76.9 percent. 

Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of Arizona is 22:1, and the school has 36.5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of Arizona include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; and Health Professions and Related Programs. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 78 percent.

Five most popular majors for 2012 graduates 

Student Life
University of Arizona has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,565, with a gender distribution of 47.7 percent male students and 52.3 percent female students. At this school, 21 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 79 percent of students live off campus. University of Arizona is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
Total enrollment 40,223

Paying for School
At University of Arizona, 51.4 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $10,784.In-state tuition and fees $10,391 (2013-14)
Out-of-state tuition and fees $27,073 (2013-14)
Room and board $9,714 (2013-14)