University of Arizona: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Tucson, Arizona · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
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University of Arizona is a public university in Tucson, Arizona that admits about 86% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $16,674 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Psychology, General, Communication and Media Studies and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 66% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 3.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Arizona admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 86%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT of 1240 and an ACT composite around 25. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $16,674 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of Arizona?
55% of enrolled students at University of Arizona had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What does University of Arizona weight in admissions?
University of Arizona reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2024-2025). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores University of Arizona typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–29. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1130 |
| 50th percentile | 1240 |
| 75th percentile | 1340 |
| % submitting SAT | 11% |
| 25th percentile | 21 |
| 50th percentile | 24 |
| 75th percentile | 28 |
| % submitting ACT | 18% |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • Policy detail: Considered if submitted
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 33% |
| Top 25% of class | 62% |
| Top 50% of class | 87% |
| % submitting class rank | 35% |
How much does University of Arizona actually cost?
Published tuition is $13,926 for in-state students and $42,278 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $16,746 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $16,674 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 26% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $12,168 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $40,520 |
| Room and board | $16,746 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $16,674 |
| Application fee | $50 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Arizona
| Regular deadline | May 1 |
| Notification date | Rolling beginning August 15 |
| Reply deadline | May 1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from University of Arizona?
These predict outcomes at University of Arizona better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of Arizona
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of Arizona, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Psychology, General, Communication and Media Studies and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. Across all programs, University of Arizona confers roughly 2,109 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Psychology, General program report a median income of about $51,974 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General | 456 | $51,974 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 259 | $71,141 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 256 | $65,726 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General | 251 | $53,789 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 229 | $71,600 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 221 | $85,529 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 219 | $106,340 |
| Public Health | 218 | $58,292 |
Is University of Arizona safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of Arizona disclosed 158 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 3.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 12 violent offenses and 48 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of Arizona?
About 5% of undergraduates at University of Arizona live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 11% of men join a fraternity and 20% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in Arizona parents ask about
Colleges that admit at a similar rate
- University of Utah86% acceptance · Utah
- Transylvania University87% acceptance · Kentucky
- Hawaii Pacific University86% acceptance · Hawaii
- University of Hawaii at Manoa87% acceptance · Hawaii
- University of St Thomas85% acceptance · Minnesota
- Washington State University87% acceptance · Washington
- Michigan State University85% acceptance · Michigan
Next steps for University of Arizona
Common questions parents ask about University of Arizona
What GPA do I need for University of Arizona?
55% of enrolled students at University of Arizona had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.47, according to its 2024-2025 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of Arizona typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 570–720, with an EBRW midpoint near 620. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 21–29.
How much does University of Arizona actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of Arizona after grants and scholarships is $16,674 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $13,926 and $42,278 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of Arizona realistic for my child?
University of Arizona admits 86% of applicants, so 570–720 SAT Math is target range and below 570 is a reach. Then check the $16,674 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Arizona?
University of Arizona accepts about 86% of applicants out of roughly 58,339 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is University of Arizona test-optional?
Yes. University of Arizona is test-optional, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
What is the graduation rate at University of Arizona?
About 66% of students at University of Arizona graduate within six years. 82% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of Arizona look for in applicants?
University of Arizona rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of Arizona a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona.
What are the most popular majors at University of Arizona?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of Arizona by annual graduates are Psychology, General, Communication and Media Studies and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. The school awards about 2,109 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of Arizona safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of Arizona reported 158 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 3.7 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of Arizona?
At University of Arizona, 5% of undergraduates live on campus, 11% of men are in fraternities, 20% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Arizona, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers