Barrett Foa Education Overview and Academic Structure
Barrett, The Honors College at Arizona State University provides a dedicated honors experience within a large public research university. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary learning, small seminar-style classes, and direct access to faculty research. Students can pursue Barrett cohorts in fields ranging from engineering and business to the humanities and sciences. The college operates across multiple ASU campuses, with the most prominent presence at the Tempe campus. Admission is selective, requiring a separate application beyond the standard ASU undergraduate process. Barrett students benefit from priority registration, exclusive scholarships, and a living-learning community environment. The curriculum is designed to complement the major degree requirements of the home college while adding honors-specific seminars and capstone projects. This structure allows students to receive the resources of a large university with the academic intensity of a small honors program. Barrett Honors College at ASU
The academic framework at Barrett is organized into tracks that align with ASU's broader college system. Students declare a major in one of ASU's many schools, such as the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering or the W. P. Carey School of Business, while maintaining Barrett membership. Each Barrett student is assigned a dedicated honors advisor to navigate both degree requirements and enrichment opportunities. The program requires completion of honors general studies courses, which replace standard ASU lower-division requirements. These courses focus on critical thinking, writing, and global awareness. Barrett also hosts its own lecture series, bringing Nobel laureates, industry leaders, and policymakers to campus regularly. The college's partnership with ASU research centers gives honors students early access to labs and funded projects. This integration of honors education with a top-tier research university is a defining feature of the Barrett experience. ASU Rankings on Forbes
Tuition, Financial Aid, and Costs for Barrett Students
Tuition for Barrett students follows the same base structure as other ASU undergraduate programs, with additional fees for the honors experience. For the 2024–2025 academic year, in-state tuition and fees at ASU are set at approximately $12,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition exceeds $30,000. Barrett-specific costs include a modest honors fee that covers exclusive programming, events, and dedicated advising resources. The college offers a range of merit-based scholarships exclusively for Barrett students, including the Barrett Honors Scholarship, which can cover full tuition and housing for high-achieving applicants. Need-based financial aid from ASU and federal programs is also available to qualifying Barrett students. The FAFSA process applies identically to Barrett and non-Barrett ASU applicants. Students can combine Barrett scholarships with Pell Grants, state grants, and external awards. Barrett also runs its own fundraising initiatives to support student emergency funds and conference travel grants. Barrett Scholarships and Aid
Comparative cost analysis shows Barrett delivers a high-value honors education at a public university price point. The average total cost of attendance, including room and board, is lower than many private honors colleges. ASU's use of the Starbucks College Achievement Plan and other corporate partnerships extends affordability options to Barrett students as well. The Barrett Honors College reports that over 70% of its students receive some form of institutional financial aid. Return on investment metrics are strong, with Barrett graduates reporting higher starting salaries than the general ASU graduate pool. The college publishes annual data on scholarship disbursement and average debt at graduation. These figures are accessible through ASU's institutional research office and the Barrett website. US News ASU Data