UArizona makes top 20 on Forbes’ list of best large employers

PHOENIX — The University of Arizona received strong praise in Forbes’ annual list of America’s best large employers.

The Tucson-based university came in at No. 16, the top spot for employers with headquarters in Arizona and No. 4 among education institutions.

Forbes complimented the university as a “public research institution with a world-renowned space exploration program … with a curriculum focused on the future.”

It was UA’s first appearance in the ranking.

“Inclusion on this list is not only an incredible accolade, but also confirmation of our commitment to creating an environment that attracts the best candidates for positions across the university,” President Robert Robbins said in a press release.

Forbes partnered with German online statistics portal Statista to select the best employers based on an independent survey in which 38,000 employees in 25 industries working for companies with at least 1,000 people employed at their U.S. locations were asked open-ended questions regarding their own employer.

UA, which employs about 15,000 people, has recently made other Forbes lists for top bosses.

The institution finished at No. 241 out of 500 businesses for best employers in diversity with at least 1,000 employees in 2020.

In Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s best-in-state employers in 2019, UA placed No. 11 out of 72 employers in Arizona.

“Once they’re here, we go to great lengths to keep them by providing development opportunities, amazing benefits and resources that help them reach their professional and personal goals,” Robbins said.

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