Forbes again names ASU one of the Best Large Employers in the US
Sparky poses with ASU employees during a staff appreciation BBQ held on the West Valley campus. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
People who land a job at Arizona State University tend to stick around.
Roughly 20% of the university’s 21,626 employees have stayed for at least a decade — some up to 55 years — a striking contrast to the three-to-seven-year tenure that’s become common across much of the workforce.
Between tuition reduction for employees and family members, low-cost health insurance, generous vacation and professional development time, ASU offers a slew of competitive benefits for employees.
And it's not going unnoticed.
Forbes magazine once again named ASU one of the Best Large Employers in the U.S. for 2026.
The list was based on independent surveys of more than 218,000 employees. Forbes partnered with market research firm Statista to rank organizations with more than 5,000 employees. The results were based on employee feedback and workplace excellence related to salary, working conditions, professional growth and other factors that contribute to a quality workplace.
Carolyn Fritz celebrates her 22nd anniversary at ASU in March. She was initially hired for a part-time role with Parking and Transportation Services and advanced through several roles at the university. She currently serves as a total rewards consultant in human resources at the West Valley campus.
“What stands out most to me is the opportunity to grow and move within the organization,” Fritz said. “I’ve been able to build a career here, not just hold a job.”
In addition to the career advancement opportunities at ASU, other benefits include 12 weeks of paid parental leave, adoption and fertility subsidies and paid time off for volunteer service. There are also mental health and wellness resources, retirement savings plans, flexible work schedules and discounts on retail, ASU sporting events, local theater and a Sun Devil Fitness Complex membership.
And while ASU provides its students with a top-notch education, it also offers a stimulating learning experience for people who work there each day.
“ASU is a very complex place; there is always something new to learn, new people to meet and work with, and opportunities to try new things,” said Jillian McManus, assistant vice president in the Office of Human Resources who came to ASU from New York as a student. “After 21 years here, I still learn something new every week; it never gets boring!”
ASU has also previously been named by Forbes to its list of America’s Best Employers for Women and its list of America’s Best Employers by State.
“The Forbes recognition is a data-driven stamp of approval from the people who actually work here — one of the more credible signals in the crowded field of employer rankings,” said Michael G. Latsko, ASU’s vice president and chief human resources officer.
“Being named one of Forbes’ Best Large Employers is a signal that an organization is considered, by its employees, to be genuinely strong in how it treats its workforce. It’s not something a company pays to earn — organizations are included based on data and surveys.”
What makes working at ASU rewarding for Latsko?
“The ‘can-do’ attitude everyone embraces, the general willingness of everyone everywhere to help, the energy that students bring to campus, the commitment of alumni and Sun Devil fans, and the weather — but only in the winter.”
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