Auburn vs. U of A

Comparable Facts

Compare Auburn University in Auburn, AL with University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than Auburn based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 34,145 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL (Small City setting); University of Arizona is in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting).
• Auburn University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Auburn University 21:1; University of Arizona 20:1.

Auburn vs. U of A Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Auburn or U of A? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Arizona than Auburn ($19,055 vs. $25,242).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Auburn University are 0.7% lower than at University of Arizona ($16,626 vs. $16,746).
• University of Arizona is 8% more expensive for in-state tuition than Auburn (about $1,036 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $12,890.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.1% higher at U of A than at Auburn University (about $7,356 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $34,922.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at Auburn University (95% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Arizona students is 26.7% larger than aid received by Auburn University students ($13,776 vs. $10,872).

Auburn vs. U of A Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Auburn or U of A? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between U of A and Auburn.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Auburn University (1330) is 40 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming Auburn students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 1260/1390; University of Arizona 1150/1420.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Auburn University 26/31; University of Arizona 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Auburn - Required; U of A - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Auburn Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Auburn students have a 0.49 point higher average high school GPA (3.97) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Auburn (45.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.1% at Auburn vs. 18.4% at U of A.

Auburn vs. U of A Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Auburn and U of A? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Auburn University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from Auburn University earn a median of about $100 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,100 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Auburn graduates ($19,000 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Auburn graduates ($196 vs. $222).
• More Auburn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.