How we prosper
Arizona’s economy is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation—and Arizona State University is committed to being a resource to the enterprises, entrepreneurs and workers driving this change. Through research and discovery that creates new ideas, leaders and companies, ASU is an engine that propels Arizona’s prosperity. At the same time, we are building the workforce of the future, connecting bright young minds with emerging new industries, driving technology-led growth and nurturing a thriving ecosystem for business and entrepreneurship.
ASU’s impact—by the billions
$22.4B
Wages earned by ASU graduates
$5.7B
ASU economic impact on state GDP
$3.6B
Labor income generated by ASU
$1.8B
State and local tax revenues from ASU graduates
Workforce impact
ASU is producing skilled, dynamic graduates who are playing a critical role in Arizona’s ascent to national and global prominence. ASU gives individuals the tools to access careers that are most in-demand across the state (and the nation)—and provides businesses of all sizes with customized employee skills training solutions so they can grow and thrive.
Reaching learners from all walks of life, we’re building a workforce for Arizona that is empowered with technical skills and problem-solving prowess to deliver value for industries across the state and the entrepreneurial know-how to launch groundbreaking ventures of their own.
297,000+
ASU graduates living in AZ (2023)
175,000+
Learners served, year-round
20,700+
Graduates (2024)
17
Schools and colleges
CareerCatalyst
Providing the skills to empower Arizona’s workforce
Learning is a lifelong process that doesn’t stop when you graduate. More than ever, workers need opportunities for personal and professional growth, and Arizona’s businesses need a skilled workforce to stay competitive in a dynamic economy—and ASU delivers. Through ASU’s CareerCatalyst, we’re empowering learners to gain the skills to thrive and make valuable contributions as employees and entrepreneurs. Collaborating with our world-renowned faculty and industry experts, CareerCatalyst develops practical, real-world learning experiences tailored to industry demand. CareerCatalyst delivers rapid skills training across a broad spectrum, including essential soft skills, technical competencies and specialized functional knowledge. With over 350+ non-degree learning opportunities, CareerCatalyst serves learners at every stage of their career, from entry-level positions to executive leadership roles.
Unleashing Arizona’s high-tech potential
Arizona has long been defined by its frontier spirit—and ASU is helping the state to push into the newest frontiers of technology by applying our knowledge and expertise to drive the state’s emergence as a high-tech hub.
An engine for high-tech growth
ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is the nation’s top producer of engineers and plays a crucial role in fulfilling Arizona’s potential as a national leader in tech. Through close collaboration with industry partners, the Fulton Schools produce research that drives growth and graduates with the cutting-edge skills high-tech businesses need to power the innovation economy.
32,000+
Students
4,500+
Graduates
7
Unique engineering schools
Science and Technology Centers: Connecting industry and innovators
Launched with funding and support from the state, ASU’s Science and Technology Centers connect ASU researchers with promising companies to build Arizona’s tech leadership. ASU STCs attract entrepreneurial companies to Arizona and collaborates with homegrown innovators to meet their research and workforce development needs and position them—and Arizona—for success.
Made in Arizona: Powering our microelectronics future
National and global headlines are telling the story of Arizona’s transformation into a microelectronics powerhouse—and behind the headlines, ASU’s expertise and strategic investments in infrastructure, education and partnerships are driving this transformation. ASU’s resources have helped to attract major industry players like TSMC and Intel, who have invested over $60 billion in Arizona-based manufacturing facilities. Apple’s recent decision to source chips from Arizona further underscores ASU’s role in supporting Arizona’s microelectronics industry.
Our secret weapon in all of this has been Arizona State University. They have helped us attract foreign investment because they can provide the very top tier graduates to staff these companies.
Multiple ASU efforts are building momentum for Arizona’s burgeoning microelectronics sector
MacroTechnology Works
ASU’s MacroTechnology Works is one of the largest university-based microelectronics R&D facilities in the nation, providing a state-of-the-art cleanroom environment for semiconductor research, innovation, and prototyping. MTW tenants include enterprises of all sizes—from two-person startups to $100 billion global semiconductor companies. Applied Materials, a world leader in semiconductor equipment manufacturing, has invested $200 million to establish the Materials-to-Fab Center at MTW, creating a unique collaborative space where Applied Materials, ASU faculty and students, and industry partners can work together side-by-side. MTW has attracted investment and co-location agreements from other major industry players, including Deca and NXP, as well as more than $47 million in investment from the Arizona Commerce Authority—a testament to the confidence that Arizona’s leaders place in MTW as a crucial piece of the state’s strategy for boosting microelectronics manufacturing.
Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub
Through the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub (SWAP Hub), ASU leads and coordinates more than 130 partners across industry, academia and national labs to translate research into solutions and train the microelectronics workforce of the future. As one of the first major investments under the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, this powerful collaboration expedites the development and production of critical microelectronics for national defense applications, leveraging ASU’s leadership to secure Arizona’s position as a key player in domestic microelectronics manufacturing.
World-class facilities
ASU’s Core Research Facilities provide industry partners with flexible access to cutting edge infrastructure and the expertise of our faculty and students. From small local tech companies to multinational enterprises, our Core Research Facilities—which include MacroTechnology Works along with multiple other centers and laboratories—power impactful collaborations that advance R&D and help innovators to solve their biggest challenges.
There’s more to microelectronics at ASU
ASU is leading a comprehensive strategy to make Arizona a microelectronics leader. Learn more about our leadership in research, infrastructure and industry partnerships.
Startups, spin outs and entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is in ASU’s DNA. Valuing entrepreneurship is one of our guiding institutional principles and is central to our vision for Arizona’s future: a flourishing ecosystem of innovative startups that attract investment, create jobs and contribute to the state’s prosperity.
2B+
Economic output created by ASU startups
1.3B
Investment over 20 years
230+
ASU-related startups
4
In the nation for new patents (among research institutions without a medical school)
Robust resources for entrepreneurship in Arizona
Skysong
ASU Skysong is a hub for innovation serving companies of all sizes with 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use office space and direct access to ASU resources and expertise.
Skysong Innovations
As ASU’s dedicated technology transfer office, Skysong Innovations champions the commercialization of ASU discoveries, bridging the gap between university research and successful market ventures.
Edson Entrepreneurship + Innovation Institute
Edson E+I supports student entrepreneurs through incubator initiatives, pitch competitions, programs and resources to turn bold ideas into successful ventures.
Putting Arizona at the forefront of national defense
National defense
ASU is a driving force behind Arizona’s thriving defense industry. Our deep collaborations with key players like Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Honeywell Aerospace and General Dynamics Mission Systems are forging the future of defense technology, while supporting workforce development and providing student opportunities.
Through these partnerships, our researchers and experts develop solutions for national security challenges and nurture a talent pipeline that meets demand for innovation across the Department of Defense and U.S. military service branches. The collaborative ecosystem we’re helping to build in Arizona attracts investment and is cementing our state as a pivotal actor in meeting the nation’s needs in defense technology.
NSA2
Accelerating defense innovation and student opportunity
As a trusted partner to the U.S. Department of Defense, ASU manages the National Security Academic Accelerator (NSA2), a part of the DoD’s National Security Innovation Network. NSA2 connects researchers with defense industry and government partners to carry out research in dual-use technologies that strengthen national defense and improve the quality of life for civilians. The accelerator also benefits students through hands-on learning experiences and programs where students directly collaborate with military commands on prototype development, as well as through the X-Force Fellowship, a summer internship that immerses students in real-world national security problem-solving with the DoD.