Highlights
- More than 43,000 learners enrolled in ASU's Universal Learner Courses this year, a 40% jump from the prior year.
- The program lets students earn college credit before applying to or setting foot on a campus.
- Growth reflects a broader trend of learners starting college coursework earlier and outside traditional enrollment pathways.
More than 43,000 learners participated in Arizona State University's Universal Learner Courses this year, the university reported Aug. 14, an increase of more than 40% from the prior year.
The program, known as ULCs, allows students to take college courses and earn credit before submitting an application or arriving on campus. ASU described the growth as record-setting and tied it to a generational shift in how learners approach higher education: choosing a course before choosing a college, rather than the reverse.
ASU's own enrollment data, tracked at facts.asu.edu, reflects the same upward trajectory the university cited in its announcement.
The university did not specify in the announcement which subjects or course categories drove the largest share of participation, nor did it break out Arizona-resident enrollment from out-of-state or international learners.
ASU has not announced a participation target for the coming year.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- news.asu.edu retrieved 14/08/2026 22:45
- facts.asu.edu retrieved 14/08/2026 22:45
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 14/08/2026 22:45. Every claim traces to a source.
