ASU welcomes record number of military-connected students this fall

PHOENIX — Arizona State University is seeing a surge in enrollment among students connected to the U.S. armed forces.

Over 25,000 veteran and military-connected students are enrolled for the fall 2025 semester across both online and in-person programs, according to ASU’s website.

That’s a university record.

Why is ASU seeing more military-connected students for the fall 2025 semester?

ASU also projects a 12% year-over-year increase in enrollment for this group of students, which includes active-duty service members, National Guard and reserve personnel, veterans and their dependents.

Shawn Banzhaf, executive director of the Pat Tillman Veterans Center, the university’s hub for supporting these students, said ASU is proud to serve as a destination for military-affiliated learners.

“These students bring resilience, leadership and a strong sense of purpose to their education,” Banzhaf said in a Wednesday announcement.

How many new veteran students are at ASU?

Enrollment gains among veterans specifically are expected to continue rising throughout August. Here’s a breakdown of current increases by campus:

• Tempe: 4.6% enrollment increase.
• West Valley: 4.7% enrollment increase.
• Polytechnic: 22% enrollment increase.
• Downtown Phoenix: 4.7% enrollment increase.
• ASU Online: 8.1% enrollment increase.

ASU said the sharp rise in military-connected students at its Polytechnic campus is due to its strong focus on science, engineering and hands-on learning.

“They choose ASU because they see a university that understands their needs, whether that’s flexibility in learning, a community that values their service or the resources to translate their skills into meaningful careers,” Banzhaf said. “They know ASU will help them succeed in the next chapter of their lives.”

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