Arizona State University for Nigerian Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Direct entry available. Apply via ASU application portal. Admission is accessible — rolling admissions. WAEC accepted as secondary qualification. Strong STEM and Business programmes. Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is highly regarded.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: $30,348–$37,202. Application deadline: November 1–15 (Early Action/Decision); January 1–15 (Regular Decision).
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3/4. Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. Strong graduate programmes across Engineering, Business (W. P. Carey), Education, and Sustainability. Mastercard Foundation Scholarship is the premier award for African graduate students. STEM OPT eligible.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: $30,348–$37,202. Application deadline: December 1 – February 1 (varies by programme). Decision time: 8–16 weeks.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3/4. Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. PhD programmes available across disciplines. Many funded via research assistantships. Strong interdisciplinary research culture.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Deadline
December 1 – January 15
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at ASU
by Mastercard Foundation · Masters
Learn more →Fulbright Foreign Student Program
by US Government (Department of State) · Masters, Phd
Learn more →Graduate Assistantship (Teaching/Research)
by University Department · Masters, Phd
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Arizona State University accept WAEC/NECO for undergraduate admission?
Yes — WAEC/NECO is accepted as the secondary school qualification for undergraduate admission to Arizona State University. WES credential evaluation is recommended for graduate applications. No foundation year is required.
What GPA is required for a Masters degree at Arizona State University?
The minimum GPA for Masters admission at Arizona State University is 3.0/4.0. Competitive programmes may require 3.5+. Your undergraduate transcript from a recognised Nigerian university is the primary academic credential.
What scholarships are available for Nigerian students at Arizona State University?
The most important scholarship for Nigerian students at ASU is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program — 40 fully-funded graduate scholarships annually for African nationals, covering tuition, accommodation, and a living stipend. Additional options include the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and departmental Graduate Assistantships (tuition waiver + $15,000–$34,000/year stipend).
Tips for Applying to ASU
Arizona State University is one of the most African-student-friendly US universities, hosting the prestigious Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program which provides 40 fully-funded graduate scholarships annually specifically for African nationals — covering tuition, accommodation, and a living stipend. ASU's accessible admission standards and strong STEM programmes (Fulton Schools of Engineering) combined with 36-month STEM OPT eligibility make it an outstanding option for Nigerian students seeking both quality education and practical funding pathways.
Official source: Arizona State University ↗Plan Your United States Student Visa
Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Nigerian passport holders applying to United States.
Cost of Living in Tempe, AZ
Tempe is more affordable than Phoenix city centre. On-campus housing available. Off-campus apartments are plentiful.
Cook at home for savings. Campus meal plans available. Tempe has many affordable dining options.
ASU students have access to Tempe bus routes. Light rail connects to Phoenix. Many students cycle on flat terrain.