22 'Party Schools' That Also Offer Surprisingly Elite Academics

4. Arizona State University (ASU): Desert Parties & Innovation Hub

ASU's massive student body and Tempe’s lively Mill Avenue contribute to its reputation as a major party destination. But ASU has also aggressively transformed itself into an innovation powerhouse, consistently ranked #1 in the U.S. for innovation. It boasts leading programs in supply chain management (W.P. Carey School of Business), journalism (Walter Cronkite School), engineering, sustainability, and even space exploration. The university pours resources into cutting-edge research and accessible education, challenging the notion that a large, spirited public university can't also be an academically elite and forward-thinking institution.