How can I compare the admission difficulty of ASU and Temple University?

For admission to the university as a whole, Temple University is typically somewhat more selective than Arizona State University. ASU has a broad-access public-university mission and several campuses with differing admission pathways, while Temple’s applicant pool and enrollment are more concentrated at its Philadelphia campus. At either school, the difficulty can change substantially by major, honors status, residency, and campus.

ASU tends to fit applicants seeking a large university with relatively transparent academic admission expectations and multiple entry points. Its admissions process places substantial weight on preparation in core high-school subjects and academic performance. Admission to ASU does not necessarily mean admission to a highly competitive program, however. Fields such as engineering, nursing, business, and computer science may have additional capacity limits, course requirements, or more selective pathways, and Barrett, The Honors College is a separate, more competitive application.

Temple is a stronger reach than ASU for a student whose grades and course rigor are near the lower end of each school’s typical admitted profile. Temple evaluates academic record, rigor, and overall preparation in a more conventionally selective setting, especially for programs such as nursing, health professions, business, and certain arts programs. Its urban Philadelphia location also attracts applicants looking for internships and city-based opportunities, which can make particular programs more competitive than the university-wide picture suggests.

Compare each school using its current Common Data Set or admissions profile: look at the distribution of admitted students’ grades, course rigor, and test scores if submitted, then check the requirements for your intended major rather than relying on the institution-wide acceptance rate. For most applicants, ASU belongs closer to the likely or target side of a list, while Temple may be a target or reach depending on the transcript and program.