How do ASU and RPI compare for undergraduate research opportunities?

RPI may offer the more direct path to sustained faculty research for a student who wants a smaller, engineering- and science-centered environment where professors are relatively accessible. ASU offers a much larger volume and range of research, but students often need to be more proactive in finding the right lab and building a relationship with a faculty member.

At RPI, undergraduate research can feel closely tied to a student’s department, coursework, and relationships with individual professors. Its campus culture is heavily STEM-focused, so students interested in engineering, computer science, materials science, physics, biotechnology, or data-driven research may find it easier to identify aligned faculty. A student who approaches professors early, learns a lab’s tools, and stays involved across multiple semesters could develop meaningful mentorship and responsibility.

ASU is especially compelling for a student who wants many possible directions or interdisciplinary options. Its scale creates opportunities in fields beyond traditional lab science, including sustainability, space and earth science, health, social science, entrepreneurship, and technology policy. Students who wait for opportunities to come to them can get lost in the university’s size. The practical question to ask is whether faculty in your intended major are currently taking undergraduates and what first-year students typically do in their labs.