collageArizona State University is a large public research university with an acceptance rate of 86%. The university is one of five unique ASU campuses located throughout the greater Phoenix area: the main campus in Tempe, the Downtown Campus in Phoenix, the West Campus in Phoenix, the Polytechnic Campus in Mesa, and the Colleges at Lake Havasu City. The Tempe campus has over 53,000 students and is one of the largest universities in the country.
Arizona State has well-respected academic programs in Business and Engineering. It was also awarded a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences. The Arizona State Sun Devils compete in the NCAA Division I Pacific 12 Conference.
Considering applying to Arizona State University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.
Acceptance Rate
During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Arizona State University had an acceptance rate of 85%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 85 were admitted, making ASU’s admissions process less competitive.
| Admissions Statistics (2019-20) | |
|---|---|
| Number of Applicants | 34,188 |
| Percent Admitted | 86% |
| Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) | 34% |
SAT Scores and Requirements
Arizona State requires that all applicants fulfill “aptitude requirements“. These requirements can be demonstrated by class rank (top 25%), average GPA of 3.0 in competency courses, an SAT score of 1120 or above (residents), or 1180 or above (nonresidents), or an ACT score of 22 or above (residents), or 24 or above (nonresidents). Some degree programs have higher SAT/ACT requirements. During the 2019-20 admissions cycle, 58% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.
| SAT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| ERW | 560 | 670 |
| Math | 560 | 690 |
ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writinghttps://19d523ae77c450a2c00b6e4040f60766.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
This admissions data tells us that most of Arizona State’s admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to ASU scored between 560 and 670, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 670. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 560 and 690, while 25% scored below 560 and 25% scored above 690. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1360 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Arizona State University.
Requirements
Historically, ASU did not require the SAT writing section or SAT Subject Tests, and in 2021 the College Board discontinued these exams. Note that Arizona State superscores the SAT, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates.
ACT Scores and Requirements
Arizona State requires that all applicants fulfill “aptitude requirements”. These requirements can be demonstrated by class rank (top 25%), average GPA of 3.0 in competency courses, an SAT score of 1120 or above (residents), or 1180 or above (nonresidents), or an ACT score of 22 or above (residents), or 24 or above (nonresidents). Some degree programs have higher SAT/ACT requirements.During the 2019-20 admissions cycle, 58% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.
| SAT Range (Admitted Students) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
| English | 21 | 29 |
| Math | 22 | 28 |
| Composite | 22 | 28 |
This admissions data tells us that most of Arizona State’s admitted students fall within the top 37% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to ASU received a composite ACT score between 22 and 28, while 25% scored above 28 and 25% scored below 22.
Requirements
Arizona State does not require the ACT writing section. Unlike many universities, ASU superscores ACT results; your highest subscores from multiple ACT sittings will be considered.
GPA
In 2019-20, the mean high school GPA of Arizona State University’s incoming freshman class was 3.53. This information suggests that successful applicants to ASU tend to have grades in the A and B range.
Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph
The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Arizona State University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.
Admissions Chances
Arizona State University, which accepts over three-quarters of applicants, has a slightly selective admissions process. If you have completed the course competency and aptitude requirements you have a strong chance of being accepted. ASU requires all applicants to have four years of English and math, 3 years of laboratory science and social studies, 2 years of the same foreign language, and 1 year of fine arts or technical education. In addition to course requirements, ASU applicants must demonstrate aptitude by class rank, GPA, or minimum ACT or SAT scores. If an applicant fulfills these requirements, they will likely be admitted to ASU.
A student who doesn’t meet minimum grade and test score requirements will still be considered through “individual review,” a process by which an individual’s background and accomplishments are taken into consideration. Also, as a strong Division I university, Arizona State may take a student’s athletic skill into consideration during the admissions process.
In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent accepted students. You can see that the majority of successful applicants had “A” or “B” averages in high school, and they had combined SAT scores of about 900 or higher (ERW+M) and ACT composite scores of 17 or higher. Having scores and grades above that lower range significantly increases your chance of getting an acceptance letter from Arizona State.
Course competency requirements
To be admitted to ASU, you need the following coursework:
- 4 years math
- 4 years English (non-ESL/ELL courses)
- 3 years lab sciences (1 year each from biology, chemistry, earth science, integrated sciences or physics)
- 2 years social sciences (including 1 year American history)
- 2 years same second language
- 1 year fine arts or 1 year career and technical education
Detailed course requirements
Aptitude requirements
To be admitted to ASU, you will need one of the following:
- top 25% in high school graduating class
- 3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = “A”)
- ACT: 22 (24 nonresidents)
- SAT: 1120 (1180 nonresidents)
These are the general university admission requirements. Students who do not meet these aptitude requirements may be reviewed individually before a final admission decision is made. Some degree programs have higher aptitude requirements. To find the requirements for your specific program
Applicants must successfully complete the ASU competency requirements. Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies cannot be in both math and laboratory science. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 in each subject area. Most competencies may also be met by test scores or college courses. See detailed competency requirements for more information.
How to apply to ASU
Step
01
Complete an undergraduate admission application
Apply online with ASU’s Application for Admission, Common Application or the Coalition Application. You need to submit only one application to be considered for admission to ASU.
To expedite the admission decision, self-report your high school grades in the application.
ASU does not have a preference for which application you use to apply. ASU does not require an essay or personal statement in any of these options.
Step
02
Submit the nonrefundable application fee
Arizona residents: $50
Domestic nonresidents: $70
International nonresidents: $85
You can pay using a credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or eCheck at the time you submit your application or when you log in to My ASU. Or you can mail a check or money order to Admission Services (payable to Arizona State University) at the address below.
Admission Services Applicant Processing
Arizona State University
PO Box 871004
Tempe, AZ 85287-1004
If you applied for admission through the Common Application or Coalition Application, pay the application fee through those applications.
There is no form, paper or code to submit for an application fee waiver. If your financial circumstances qualify you for an application fee waiver, you will answer a series of questions in the application that will automatically qualify you and post to your account.
Step
03
Transcripts
If you do not self-report your high school grades in the application, you must have your high school send an official copy of your transcripts to ASU.
If you have earned college or university credit, request to have your official transcripts sent to ASU from the issuing institution.
Step
04
ACT or SAT scores (optional)
ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission, but may be submitted for ASU course placement or as supplemental information. Have your scores sent to ASU from ACT or College Board when you register for the test. Learn more about sending your test scores to ASU in our FAQ section.
Step
05
Check application status
Once you’ve completed all these steps, ASU will review your application. To see if you have any missing items and to review your admission status, sign in at My ASU using your ASURITE UserID, which is sent to you after you apply for admission.
Step
06
Fill out the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is used to award grants, loans, Federal Work-Study and certain scholarships. We encourage you to compare financial aid and college costs. ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081.
Important fall 2021 admission and financial aid dates
July 1, 2020
ASU fall admission application opensSept. 1, 2020
ASU Scholarship Portal opensOct. 1, 2020
2021–2022 Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens
ASU’s Federal School Code is 001081Nov. 1, 2020
Priority admission deadline
Jan. 15, 2021
ASU’s FAFSA priority date
File your FAFSA by this date to maximize the amount of financial aid you could qualify for.Jan. 15, 2021
Regular admission date
Complete your application for fall admission by this date to ensure you’re considered for the maximum amount of scholarship opportunities.May 1, 2021
Future Sun Devil Day
Secure your spot for fall 2020 by paying the enrollment deposit.Aug. 19, 2021
First day of fall 2021 classes
How to meet course competency requirements at ASU
Competency requirements may be met with high school work, college work or test scores. These requirements must be met regardless of your major or the number of transferable hours you have earned. Students must earn a minimum 2.00 GPA in each competency area.
Admission may be granted with one deficiency in no more than two competency areas. Deficiencies in both math and laboratory science are not acceptable.
For exceptions to the competency requirements, see below.
English competency requirement
Meet one of the following:
four years of high school English (composition or literature based)
minimum test score of 21 on ACT English, or 580 on SAT evidence-based reading and writing
one transferable three-credit college English composition course
English composition placement
All first-year and transfer students who have not earned a “C” or better in a transferable first-year English composition course, or who have not received a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination in English offered by the College Entrance Examination Board, must submit ACT or SAT scores before registration to be placed in an appropriate English course.
Mathematics competency requirement
Meet one of the following:
four years of high school courses: one year each of algebra I, geometry, algebra II, and an advanced math class for which algebra II is a prerequisite
minimum test score of 24 on ACT math, or 580 on SAT math
one transferable three-credit college math course for which at least intermediate algebra is a prerequisite
Laboratory science competency requirement
You may meet one of the following or any combination of the three as long as you have three different laboratory-based sciences:
three years of different high school laboratory sciences
Lab sciences should be an entire year in length. Please select three from the following list: biology, chemistry, earth science or physics. A laboratory-based integrated science course may be allowed to substitute for one of the three lab sciences. Additionally, an advanced placement course, a higher level international baccalaureate course, or other honors course taken in the last two years of high school in the same subject as a previous course can still satisfy one lab science requirement.
minimum test scores in three standardized tests from three different subject matters
The following tests may be taken: SAT II subject test score in chemistry-600, biology-590, physics-620 or ACT test score in science-20.
three transferable four-credit college laboratory science courses from the following: biology, chemistry, earth science or physics
An integrated laboratory science or advanced level laboratory-based science may be substituted for one of these laboratory subjects.
Second language competency requirement
Meet one of the following:
two years of the same high school second language
attainment of minimum score on a national standardized second language test or placement into a third semester college second language class based on university placement exam results
two transferable three- or four-credit, college-level courses in the same second language
Social science competency requirement
Meet one of the following options from Section A and one from Section B:
Section A
one year of high school American history
minimum SAT II subject test score of 560 on American history/social studies
one transferable three-semester-hour college American history course
Section B
one year of high school social science (e.g., European history, world history, economics, sociology, geography, government, psychology or anthropology)
minimum SAT II subject test score of 580 on world history
one transferable three-semester-hour college social science course
Fine arts or career and technical education competency requirement
Meet one of the following:
one year (or a combination of two semesters) of high school fine arts or career and technical education
one transferable three-credit college fine arts course
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