Auburn University
Auburn University is a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama, and one of the state's two flagship campuses, with deep roots in engineering, business, and agriculture. Admission has grown more competitive in recent years: Auburn admitted about 46% of roughly 55,000 applicants for its most recent class, and enrolled first-years carry an average high school GPA near 4.09 with middle-50% SAT scores of 1260–1380. Business and marketing is the largest field at about 26% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering. Auburn stayed test-optional for high-GPA applicants in its most recent cycle but will require SAT or ACT scores beginning with Fall 2027 first-years.
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Auburn admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Action
Auburn offers non-binding Early Action — an earlier decision with no commitment to enroll.
Standardized Tests
Auburn is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where Auburn's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 42% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Auburn does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How Auburn weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from Auburn's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $22,032 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about Auburn admissions
Is it hard to get into Auburn?＋
Auburn is moderately selective, admitting about 45.9% of applicants in its most recent cycle from a pool of roughly 55,000. Selectivity has tightened over the past several years as application volume climbed, so competitive applicants pair a strong GPA, near 4.09 on average, with a demanding course load.
What are my chances of getting into Auburn from out of state?＋
Auburn does not publish a separate out-of-state admit rate in its Common Data Set, so the headline 45.9% rate covers all applicants. As a land-grant flagship, Auburn weighs both state residency and geographical residence as important factors in its review, but strong out-of-state students remain a large part of each entering class. Your GPA and course rigor carry the most weight wherever you live.
What GPA do you need to get into Auburn?＋
Enrolled first-years average about a 4.09 GPA, and roughly 84% reported a high school GPA of 3.75 or above. Academic GPA is rated a very important factor in Auburn's review, so competitive applicants generally carry mostly A's. There is no hard cutoff, but the test-optional pathway specifically requires at least a 3.6 GPA.
Is a 1350 SAT good enough for Auburn?＋
A 1350 is competitive at Auburn: it sits in the upper half of enrolled students, between the 50th-percentile score of 1320 and the 75th-percentile of 1380. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1260–1380 on the SAT and 26–31 on the ACT, so a 1350 lands at or above a typical admitted student's score.
Is Auburn test-optional?＋
For now, yes, but with a condition. Auburn is test-optional only for applicants with at least a 3.6 high school GPA, and that pathway sunsets after the 2026 cycle. Beginning with Fall 2027 first-years, Auburn will require SAT or ACT scores. Among recent enrolled students who submitted, the middle 50% scored 1260–1380 on the SAT and 26–31 on the ACT, and scores are weighed as a very important factor.
How much does Auburn cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
Annual tuition and required fees run about $12,890 for Alabama residents and $34,922 for out-of-state students. On-campus food and housing add roughly $16,626. About 32% of first-years receive need-based aid, with an average need-based package near $14,687, and Auburn meets about 60% of demonstrated need on average.
What are the most popular majors at Auburn?＋
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 26% of bachelor's degrees, followed by engineering at roughly 16% and the biological and life sciences at 10%. As a land-grant university, Auburn also confers a notable share of degrees in agriculture, education, and the health professions.
Does the application essay matter at Auburn?＋
Yes. Auburn rates the application essay as a very important factor, on par with academic GPA and test scores in its review. With admissions growing more competitive, a specific, well-revised essay is a real chance to add context to your grades and stand out in a large applicant pool.
Source: Auburn University Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Auburn. Banner photo by Vestaviahills, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).