Arizona State University is expecting a record number of new students for the fall 2025 semester, which begins on August 21. The university projects that 42,900 new first-year, transfer, and graduate students will enroll across its campuses and online programs. This figure represents an increase of more than 1,000 compared to the previous year.
A significant portion of this growth comes from Arizona residents, who make up a projected 18,000 of the new student body. Over 9,700 of these are joining directly from Arizona high schools. ASU also anticipates strong interest in its online degree programs, with more than 80,000 students expected to enroll through ASU Online—a 9% rise from last fall’s record enrollment. Of these online learners, over 19,700 are new to the university.
Enrollment at ASU’s physical campuses is also set to be substantial. Projections for fall campus enrollment include more than 10,000 at the Downtown Phoenix campus; over 6,300 at Polytechnic; upwards of 55,500 at Tempe; and more than 5,400 at West Valley.
“Our overall enrollment growth sends a very clear message,” said ASU President Michael Crow. “Year over year, more and more individuals want an education from Arizona State University. They trust that a degree from ASU will empower them to pursue the future they want. They understand the practical and positive impact of our research. And they know that an incredible community and experience are waiting for them here.
“The myth that a college degree is losing its value does not square with reality — the demand for ASU is only increasing.”
This year’s incoming class includes a projected record-setting group of first-year students: about 17,900 will join this fall out of more than 84,100 applications received by ASU. Approximately 13,900 will attend in person across various campuses while another estimated 4,000 will take digital immersion classes via ASU Online.
Among these first-year students are over 2,200 enrolled in Barrett, The Honors College—an increase of nearly five percent from last year and another university record.
“I draw enormous pride in the quality of students that our honors college attracts and the continued growth of our community,” said Tara Williams, dean of Barrett, The Honors College. “These are students who come to ASU with a weighted GPA of 4.2 and a hunger for classmates that inspire and professors that mentor them toward their ambitious goals. I can’t wait to see the impact they will each have on the ASU community.”
The most popular majors among incoming first-year students include biological sciences; business; community health; computer science; mechanical engineering; and psychology.
ASU is also preparing for significant international enrollment despite recent changes in federal guidance affecting international students’ admissions processes. The university expects around 14,600 international students this fall.
“We anticipate that our enrollment of international students will continue to grow throughout the year,” said Matt López, deputy vice president of Academic Enterprise Enrollment. “Our admissions team continues to work directly with admitted international students who are still awaiting visa appointments at U.S. consulates around the world.”
López added: “Our message to these international students has been clear throughout the spring and summer: ‘We want you, and we won’t let paperwork stand in the way of your goal to attend ASU.’ We are maintaining flexibility to allow international students to start their ASU journey online, through study abroad or at a partner institution in our ASU Cintana Alliance network. When students have their visa in hand, we will welcome them with open arms and the classes they need to continue their degree without delay.”
ASU has scheduled several events as part of its Fall Welcome program—including orientation activities for both domestic and international newcomers as well as social events like Involvement Fairs (August 17–23), Panhellenic Preview/Sorority Showcase (August 18), Fraternity Forum (August 18), Sun Devil Welcome & InfernoFest (August 19), Echo From the Buttes (August 23), among others taking place across multiple locations including Mountain America Stadium and “A” Mountain in Tempe.
In line with its charter focusing on inclusion rather than exclusion or rankings alone—and after changing how it reports total annual enrollment—ASU states it served over 194,000 unduplicated individual learners during academic year 2024–25 (fall/spring/summer combined). This marks an increase by over seven percent from last year’s numbers according to [university data](https://eoss.asu.edu/welcome/events/signature).
Highlights from recent annual figures show:
– More than 69,000 Arizonans enrolled—the largest number ever recorded.
– Over 25,000 military-connected individuals participated.
– Around 60,000 undergraduates received Federal Pell Grants.
– About one-third were first-generation college attendees.
– Students represented 165 countries worldwide.
Executive Vice President and University Provost Nancy Gonzales commented on what this means for those beginning their studies: “The start of a new academic year is an inspiring time of year that reminds me of the power of a college experience… Our students are poised to deepen their passions… It is an honor to facilitate these experiences. We are humbled by the trust that our students place in ASU and are ready to help them achieve their goals.”
Enrollment remains open into October for session B as well as into spring semester next year; all numbers reported here reflect projections based on data available as of August 11.
