What GPA do you need to get into ASU?

ASU's general requirement is one of the following: a top 25% class rank, a 3.00 unweighted GPA in its required competency courses, a 22 ACT (24 for nonresidents) or an 1120 SAT (1180 for nonresidents), plus the required high school courses. Students below those marks may be reviewed individually, and some majors have higher requirements. Test scores are optional.

When is the University of Arizona's Early Action deadline?

Nov. 1, 2026, for fall 2027. Early Action decisions begin Jan. 15, 2027. Applications received after Nov. 1 move to Regular Decision, with decisions released in batches through the spring on a space-available basis. Early Action also gets priority consideration for merit aid and the W.A. Franke Honors College.

Does NAU guarantee admission?

Yes. NAU says it guarantees admission to students who have completed their junior year and are on track to graduate with a 2.5+ core GPA on a 4.0 scale, and its admissions page says Arizona residents who meet its academic requirements are guaranteed admission. NAU admits on a rolling basis, and the enrollment fee is due May 1.

ASU, University of Arizona and NAU Admission Requirements for Fall 2027: GPA Minimums, Early Action and Deadlines After Arizona Dropped Assured Admission

ASU, University of Arizona and NAU admission requirements now differ from each other. Arizona's statewide Assured Admission policy, which promised admission to all three for a top-25% rank or a 3.0 core GPA, ended on Feb. 19, 2026 (see does Arizona have guaranteed admission). For fall 2027:

NAU still guarantees admission with a 2.5 core GPA.
ASU admits students who meet any one of its aptitude requirements: top 25%, a 3.00 core GPA, a 22 ACT or an 1120 SAT.
The University of Arizona now uses a comprehensive review, with Early Action on Nov. 1.

The details below are from each university's admissions pages.

Fall 2027 admission at a glance

	ASU	University of Arizona	NAU
Admission standard	One of: top 25%, 3.00 core GPA, 22 ACT, 1120 SAT (residents)	Comprehensive review	Guaranteed with a 2.5 core GPA
Test scores	Optional	Optional	Not required
Essay	None required	Strongly encouraged (500 words)	None required
Key dates	Priority Nov. 1; regular Jan. 15, 2027	Early Action Nov. 1; decisions from Jan. 15, 2027	Rolling; enrollment fee due May 1
Admit rate (College Scorecard)	89.9%	86.1%	89.6%

Sources: ASU, University of Arizona and NAU admissions pages; U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard.

ASU: one of four aptitude marks

ASU still uses the same numbers the old statewide policy did. To be admitted, you need the required courses (4 years each of math and English, 3 of lab science, 2 of social science, 2 of one second language, and 1 of fine arts or career and technical education) and one of the following:

Top 25% of your graduating class
3.00 unweighted GPA in competency courses
ACT 22 (24 for nonresidents)
SAT 1120 (1180 for nonresidents)

Students who miss these may be reviewed individually, and some majors set higher bars. ASU allows one deficiency in up to two course areas, but not in both math and lab science.

Dates: Apply by the Nov. 1 priority date for the most scholarship consideration; the regular date is Jan. 15, 2027. The application fee is $55 for Arizona residents, with an automatic fee waiver for those who qualify. You can use ASU's own application or the Common App.

University of Arizona: comprehensive review

UA's admissions page now describes a comprehensive review. Up to two reviewers read each application, looking at:

Academics: class rank, strength of and performance in your curriculum, and core GPA
Optional materials: test scores, a resume and a personal statement
Activities: leadership, service, work and personal qualities

UA strongly encourages its 500-word essay. Decisions include admission to a major, admission to The A Center (undeclared, with advising), deferral, waitlist or denial. For residents who aren't admitted, UA points to community college and transfer.

Dates: The Early Action deadline is Nov. 1, 2026, and Early Action decisions begin Jan. 15, 2027. It's the deadline for priority consideration for merit aid and the W.A. Franke Honors College. Later applications move to Regular Decision, released in batches on a space-available basis.

NAU: guaranteed with a 2.5

NAU guarantees admission to students who have finished junior year and are on track to graduate with a 2.5+ core GPA. Its first-year page adds that Arizona residents who meet the academic requirements are guaranteed admission. You'll need 14 core courses, though NAU doesn't require a second language and allows up to two course deficiencies. NAU admits on a rolling basis; the $325 enrollment fee is due May 1.

What this means for you

Applying to UA? Submit by Nov. 1. It's the Early Action deadline and the cutoff for priority merit aid.
Applying to ASU? Also aim for Nov. 1, the scholarship priority date, and have a complete file by Jan. 15 for the Obama Scholars Program.
Pell-eligible? All three universities need a complete application by April 1 (UA, ASU) or admission by May 1 (NAU) for the Arizona Promise Program. See Arizona Promise requirements.
Want a sure thing? NAU is the only one of the three that calls its standard a guarantee. ASU's aptitude marks are published, clear minimums; UA's review has no published cutoff.