Is Arizona State University or the University of Richmond better for a student interested in consulting?

For consulting, the University of Richmond usually offers the clearer and more direct path, especially if you are aiming for management consulting right after college. Richmond’s business program is well regarded, its smaller size can make it easier to build close relationships with professors and career advisors, and its East Coast location helps with access to firms and alumni in major business hubs. Arizona State can absolutely work, but it tends to be a better fit for a student who wants a larger university environment and is willing to be more self-directed in finding opportunities.

Richmond makes the most sense for a student who wants a tight-knit, high-touch undergraduate experience where recruiting support feels personal. At a school that size, it is often easier to stand out in classes, get leadership roles early, and connect with alumni who can help with internships and interviews. For consulting, that matters because the path often depends on networking, polished communication, and strong internship timing as much as the major itself.

ASU fits a student who wants scale, flexibility, and lots of options. W. P. Carey has strong business offerings and a broad alumni base, and a proactive student can build a very solid consulting profile there through honors programs, case competitions, internships, and student organizations. The tradeoff is that at a very large public university, you usually need to create more of your own momentum rather than expecting recruiting attention to come to you automatically.

If you are cost-conscious, want a bigger campus experience, or like the idea of exploring multiple business-related paths while hustling for opportunities, ASU can still lead there.