The Best-Kept Secret in the Southwest: UAT Building the Future of Tech

Tucked behind a line of palms in Tempe, Arizona, not far from where the desert meets Silicon dreams, stands a small private university that doesn’t often make national headlines — but perhaps it should.

The University of Advancing Technology, or UAT, has long played the role of Arizona’s best-kept secret. Founded in 1983, it began as a humble school for tech enthusiasts and evolved into a crucible for innovation — decades before “STEM” was a household acronym. Now, in 2025, UAT is quietly redefining what higher education in technology looks like, and what it might become.

Despite its modest footprint, UAT boasts a resumé that would make many larger institutions envious. This year, it was ranked:

For a university of around a thousand students, these accolades hint at something deeper: an institution that prizes agility over bureaucracy, mentorship over mass instruction, and innovation over inertia.

Private College with Public Purpose

While large public universities remain the default for many, a growing number of students are reconsidering the value of smaller private institutions, particularly those like UAT that specialize in high-demand, future-forward fields.

“Private universities can be more nimble,” said Dr. David Bolman, UAT’s Provost and a tech futurist in his own right. “We’re not just updating curriculum every few years — we’re often writing it in real time alongside the industries we serve.”

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Indeed, UAT is one of the few universities in the country where students can major in degrees like Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Human-Computer Interaction, and Digital Maker & Fabrication, all under one roof. The faculty roster reads like a who’s who of software engineers, ethical hackers, digital artists, and game developers — many still active in their respective industries.

Degrees That Speak To The Future

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and McKinsey’s Future of Work report, by 2040 the tech landscape will be almost unrecognizable. Automation, climate adaptation technologies, immersive virtual worlds, and artificial general intelligence will create — and demand — whole new categories of jobs. Titles like “Synthetic Content Ethicist,” “AI Trainer,” and “Augmented Reality Architect” may sound speculative, but they’re already appearing on job boards.

UAT students are preparing now for the kinds of roles that most universities aren’t even imagining yet. A freshman entering the university in 2025 could graduate into a market where blockchain governance, space cybersecurity, or generative design in architecture become major industries.

“We don’t believe in teaching students how to survive the present,” said Professor Dapzury Valenzuela, who leads UAT’s Innovation Lab. “We teach them how to lead the future.”

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A Tight-Knit Tech Community

The campus itself feels more like a startup than a school — a single building humming with energy. Here, a team of students is programming a robot to interact empathetically with children. Down the hall, a VR headset-wearing duo designs an interactive museum experience that will teach kids history through time travel. Upstairs, a digital forensics class quietly examines the ethics of data privacy in real-world cyberattacks.

Small class sizes, direct access to faculty, and an emphasis on completing real-world portfolios means students aren’t just learning — they’re doing. By the time they graduate, many already have multiple project launches, internships, or business ventures under their belts.

For many families, private universities are often perceived as prohibitively expensive. But UAT challenges that assumption. Its tuition model includes all textbooks and materials, and many students qualify for merit- or mission-based scholarships. The school is also pioneering accelerated degrees, allowing students to graduate in less than the traditional four years — entering the workforce sooner, with less debt.

And the payoff? UAT’s alumni are working at Fortune 500 companies, launching tech startups, and, in some cases, helping shape policy in digital ethics and cybersecurity. More than just workforce-ready, they’re world-ready.

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The Secret Is Getting Out

As Arizona becomes a new tech corridor — bolstered by semiconductor factories, EV infrastructure, and renewable energy startups — institutions like UAT are more vital than ever. In many ways, they are not just keeping up with the tech industry’s demands. They are quietly — perhaps even secretly — shaping it.

But the secret may not stay hidden much longer.

Ready to Stop Studying Tech and Start Building It?

UAT isn’t for everyone. It’s for students who want to launch sooner, learn faster, and lead the future of tech. If you're ready to join a community that doesn’t wait for the future — it builds it — let’s talk.

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University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog