Arizona State University (West campus) - Phoenix - Arizona - USA

When U.S. News and World Report ranked Arizona State University number one for innovation, they took into account the university's top-tier research facilities and output, the more than 200 National Academies-honored faculty members, and the university's $4.3 billion annual economic impact. Arizona State University is one of the best places for young minds to train to become the leaders and innovators of tomorrow in one of the university's elite programs, whether it's working with NASA in the aeronautical engineering department or learning from Noble laureates in chemistry, psychics, and economics classes. Beyond academics, Arizona State University is also known for its athletics, as student

s can cheer on the Sun Devils in 20 different NCAA Division I sports, and for fun campus traditions, such as painting the prominent mountain-top "A," a tradition that goes back almost 100 years. Each of the four main campuses spread across the metropolitan Phoenix area offers students on-campus housing as well as plenty of extracurricular activities to enliven their college experience, such as Greek life, The State Press newspaper, and student government. Located on the West side of Phoenix near the city of Glendale, Arizona State University at the West Campus is the second ASU campus and was opened in 1989. True to ASU's legacy of innovation, the West campus is almost entirely powered by solar panels. Enough urban activities and entertainment to keep any college student busy are located in the US's fifth largest city, though the beauty of Arizona's desert wildlife is nearby. Students can visit the Desert Botanical Garden, hike Camelback Mountain, or visit the Phoenix Zoo inside Papago Park; they can also stay closer to home and visit amusement parks, movie theaters, and restaurants with friends. Since all ASU campuses work in conjunction with one another, students at the West Campus have access to all the academics, sports, and extracurricular activities of the main campus.