The University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC), formerly known as Ashford University, is a fully online institution headquartered in San Diego, California, operating under the oversight of the University of Arizona system. The institution traces its origins to Mount St. Clare College in Clinton, Iowa, acquired by for-profit Bridgepoint Education in 2005 and rebranded as Ashford University, then relocated its administrative headquarters to San Diego. Amid scrutiny over for-profit education practices, the University of Arizona acquired the institution in 2020 and rebranded it as UAGC in 2021, converting it to non-profit status and gaining WSCUC accreditation. UAGC enrolls approximately 28,000 students — primarily working adults, active military, veterans, and career changers — and offers over 50 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs entirely online. Degree programs span business, healthcare administration, education, psychology, criminal justice, and social sciences. The university's flat-rate tuition model and fully asynchronous format appeal to students seeking flexible pathways to degree completion while maintaining employment and family responsibilities. As part of the University of Arizona system, UAGC students gain access to UA library resources, career services, and the UA Wildcat alumni network. The institution has faced ongoing scrutiny regarding student loan default rates, retention, and graduate earnings outcomes, reflecting the challenges of serving historically underserved populations. DHS restrictions on purely online programs severely limit F-1 international student enrollment, consistent with other fully online institutions.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
—
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$11960
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $11,960
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
