University of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a public land-grant research university in Tucson, set against the Santa Catalina Mountains and known worldwide for its work in astronomy and space science, from the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory to the mirror lab that casts the largest telescope mirrors on Earth. Admission is broadly accessible: roughly 84% of about 56,000 applicants are admitted, and enrolled first-years post a 3.43 average high school GPA with middle-50% SAT scores of 1090–1320. Business and marketing leads the degrees Arizona confers at about 17%, followed by the life sciences and health professions. The university stays test-optional, and its in-state tuition keeps it within reach for Arizona families while drawing a large out-of-state and international student body.
See how Arizona compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
Arizona admissions statistics
Acceptance rate
Overall acceptance rate, plus the in-state and out-of-state admit rates the school reports separately.
Admit rate by residency
% admittedEarly admissions
Arizona does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized tests
Arizona is currently test-optional — you may apply without submitting scores.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Arizona supplemental essays — 2026-2027 cycle
Why is the University of Arizona the right fit for you and how will your chosen academic area of study align with your interests, goals, and values?
Writing your Arizona application essay?
Paste your draft and get specific, line-by-line feedback on what is and isn't landing — scored against the rubrics admissions readers use.
Class rank
Where Arizona's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 37% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. Arizona does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions factors
How Arizona 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 Arizona's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Financial aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Frequently asked questions about Arizona admissions
No, the University of Arizona is not highly selective. It admitted about 83.5% of roughly 56,000 applicants in the most recent cycle, so most students who meet the academic preparation requirements are accepted. Admission reviews lean on the rigor of your coursework and your academic GPA, both rated very important.
Out-of-state applicants are admitted at essentially the same rate as Arizona residents. For Fall 2025, the university admitted about 90% of out-of-state applicants and 89% of in-state applicants, with international applicants admitted at about 50%. State residency is listed as not considered in admission decisions, so where you live in the country has little bearing on your odds.
Enrolled first-years average a 3.43 high school GPA, and 98% of them reported a GPA. There is no hard cutoff, but academic GPA and the rigor of your course load carry the most weight, so a solid B-plus record in college-prep classes puts you in a competitive position.
Yes, a 1300 is comfortably above average for the University of Arizona. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1090–1320 on the SAT and 20–28 on the ACT, so a 1300 sits near the top quarter of admitted students. The university is test-optional, so you can also apply without submitting scores.
Yes, the University of Arizona is test-optional, so you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Among first-years who did submit, the middle 50% scored 1090–1320 on the SAT and 20–28 on the ACT. If you submit scores they are weighed as a considered factor alongside GPA and course rigor.
Annual tuition and required fees run about $13,906 for Arizona residents and $43,068 for out-of-state students. Around 51% of first-years receive need-based grant aid, with an average need-based package near $18,400, and the university meets roughly 60% of demonstrated need on average.
Business and marketing is the largest field at about 17% of bachelor's degrees, followed by the biological and life sciences at 10% and the health professions at 9%. Psychology, engineering, and computing round out the most-conferred areas, and Arizona's planetary science and astronomy programs draw national recognition.
The application essay is rated a considered factor at the University of Arizona, below the rigor of your coursework and your GPA but still part of the holistic review. With test scores optional and grades doing most of the work, a clear, specific essay is a useful way to add context that your transcript alone cannot.
Esslo gives free line-by-line feedback on your draft. Try it now
Popular majors
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
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
Student diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Source: University of Arizona Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-10. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with Arizona. Banner photo by Baah Thomas, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0). Cite this page as: Esslo College Explorer, “University of Arizona admissions statistics, transcribed from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set,” https://www.esslo.org/colleges/university-of-arizona (retrieved 2026-06-10).