University of Arizona

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.

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