For freshman (undergraduate) admission to the University of Arizona (UArizona), here’s what you need to know:
🎯 GPA Requirements & Averages
Minimum to Apply (Assured Admission)
Arizona residents who have an unweighted core GPA of 3.0 or higher through six semesters and have completed the required coursework (English, math, lab science, social science, second language, fine arts/CTE) get assured admission. (The University of Arizona)
For Non-Residents or Competitive Applicants
UArizona has a comprehensive review policy, a lower GPA can be accepted if it is balanced with good test scores, essays, extracurriculars, etc. (The University of Arizona, Research.com).
What Successful Applicants Typically Have
PrepScholar states that the mean GPA weighted of admitted students is 3.5, which is about A/B grades (PrepScholar).
CollegeVine states the average entering freshmen GPA was 3.53 (unweighted) (CollegeVine).
CampusReel gives an average GPA of accepted students around 3.3 (CampusReel).
The UArizona Factbook indicates that recent average entering high school GPAs have been around 3.58 in 2023 (Wikipedia).
In sum, while 3.0 unweighted gets you through assured admission (if you meet coursework requirements and are Arizona-resident), the typical admitted student has a GPA of 3.3–
“I got accepted … I think anything above a 2.7 and you should be completely fine for general admission!!” (Reddit)
These posts reflect that UArizona is relatively accessible, especially if you meet core academic requirements and apply as an Arizona resident.
âś… Tips If Your GPA Is Lower
Raise your standardized test scores (e.g., SAT 1150–1350, ACT 21–28)—many students submit them, even if it is optional College Ready AZCollegeVinePrepScholar.
Make your application stronger: extracurriculars, essays, strong coursework, AP/IB classes—these factors can compensate a lower GPA.
Make sure that you have fulfilled all Arizona Board of Regents core competency classes—this is essential for assured admission PrepScholarResearch.com+1College Ready AZ+1.
🔍 So, what GPA do you need?
All applicants (especially out-of-state): aim for 3.3–3.6 GPA to be in line with the typical admitted student
Arizona residents: at least 3.0 unweighted in core courses for assured admission.
