Bear Down! University of Arizona ranked top college in Arizona

PHOENIX — Although no Internet list is omniscient, rankings have enormous meaning, and Forbes said the University of Arizona is the best school in the state.

According to Forbes, “The university has well-regarded programs in the physical sciences and health,” and “is one of the greenest spaces in the state of Arizona with its own arboretum and biosphere.”

UA’s in-state tuition was slightly higher than Arizona State University’s at $10,957 a year, but the Tucson school has a better student-to-faculty ratio.

Business Insider called UA one of the “Top 20 Most Dominating College Sports Programs” based on game-day turnout and NCAA titles won since 2000.

Not to mention, they’ve got a pretty cool motto (“Bear Down!”) with a classic backstory that could be pulled from a sports flick.

Despite being ranked the top school in Arizona, the online business magazine had UA at 200th in the nation, based on student satisfaction, post-graduate success, student debt, graduation rate, and academic success.

ASU was ranked 292nd and Northern Arizona University was 561st.

Perhaps ASU is turning a new leaf, leaving its party-school image behind.

U.S News ranked Arizona State as the Most Innovative School, putting them in the company of elite schools like Stanford and MIT. The Wall Street Journal ranked ASU fifth in the nation for producing best-qualified students.

Let’s not forget the mountain-dwelling Lumberjacks at NAU. Forbes praised its School of Forestry, which is nationally accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The smaller of Arizona’s public universities is

Forbes praised its School of Forestry, which is nationally accredited by the Society of American Foresters. The smaller of Arizona’s public universities is the only in the state with easy access to skiing and snowboarding.