Navigating GPA Requirements for Auburn University Admission

Auburn University, a prominent public research institution, is renowned for its robust academic offerings in fields like engineering, agriculture, and business. Gaining admission to Auburn is competitive, and understanding the GPA requirements is crucial for prospective students. While meeting minimum requirements doesn't guarantee acceptance, a strong GPA significantly strengthens an application.

Understanding the GPA Landscape at Auburn

The average GPA at Auburn University is 4.09, indicating that successful applicants typically have near-perfect grades. This signifies that to be competitive, students should strive for nearly straight A's throughout their high school coursework.

GPA Ranges of Admitted Students

To provide a clearer picture, here's a breakdown of the GPA ranges for admitted students:

3.75+: 83%
3.50-3.74: 11%
3.25-3.49: 4%
3.00-3.24: 2%
2.50-2.99: 0%
2.00-2.49: 0%
Below 2.00: 0%

These figures highlight that the vast majority of admitted students possess a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

Addressing a GPA Below the Average

For students whose GPA falls at or below the 4.09 average, it's essential to compensate with a strong performance on standardized tests like the SAT or ACT. A higher test score can demonstrate preparedness for the academic rigor of college, mitigating concerns about GPA.

The Role of Standardized Tests: SAT and ACT

Auburn University strongly encourages all applicants to submit official ACT or SAT scores. These tests serve as a standardized measure of a student's academic abilities and can significantly impact admissions decisions.

Test-Optional Policy: A Temporary Exception

It's important to note that Auburn University had a test-optional policy in place, which began during COVID. However, this is changing. For Fall 2026 admission only, a very limited number of exceptionally qualified applicants with at least a 3.6 GPA may be considered without test scores. For Fall 2025, the average GPA for students admitted without a test score was 4.2.

Starting in fall 2027, first-year students applying to undergraduate at Auburn University will be required to submit their ACT or SAT scores.

The Importance of Submitting Test Scores

Even with a test-optional policy, submitting test scores can be advantageous. Students who apply without test scores will have significantly limited admissions, Honors College, and scholarship opportunities. Providing a test score helps Auburn University place students in the right courses and maximizes their opportunity for scholarships.

SAT Score Requirements

The 25th percentile SAT score at Auburn is 1260, while the 75th percentile is 1380. An SAT score of 1380 or above will nearly guarantee you admission. In other words, a 1260 places you below average, while a 1380 will move you up to above average. Scoring at a 1304 SAT or above will already give you a great shot at getting in.

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ACT Score Requirements

The average ACT score at Auburn is 27. The 25th percentile ACT score is 26, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31. Scoring a 31 ACT or above will nearly guarantee you admission.

Superscoring: Maximizing Your Test Potential

Auburn University accepts "superscores" for both the ACT and SAT. Superscores combine the best section scores from multiple testing dates, giving students the best possible cumulative score achieved. This policy allows students to take the tests multiple times and focus on improving individual section scores.

Holistic Review: Beyond GPA and Test Scores

Auburn University performs a comprehensive review of each candidate's application, enabling them to see the whole student and welcome talented students with promise and potential for academic success. While GPA and test scores are important, they are not the only factors considered.

Factors Considered in Holistic Review

Coursework Difficulty: The rigor of the applicant's high school coursework is taken into account.
Extracurricular Activities: Involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrates a student's interests, leadership skills, and commitment.
Letters of Recommendation: Strong letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors can provide valuable insights into a student's character and abilities.
Personal Statements: The personal statement offers an opportunity for students to showcase their personality, experiences, and aspirations.

Admission Requirements

The acceptance rate at Auburn is 45.9%. Because this school is moderately selective, strong academic performance will almost guarantee you admission.

Application Requirements

High School GPA: Required
High School Rank: Neither required nor recommended
College Prep Courses: Required
SAT/ACT Scores: Required (starting in Fall 2027, with limited exceptions for Fall 2026)
Recommendations: Considered if submitted

Application Deadline

Applicants should stay on top of their goals!

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Graduate School GPA Requirements

To receive a graduate degree at Auburn University, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all courses carrying graduate credit. No more than nine hours beyond the student’s Plan of Study is allowed in obtaining the cumulative graduate GPA (CGGPA). No grade below C (including unsatisfactory grades for courses taken under the S/U option) is acceptable for credit toward a graduate degree. Each graduate course in which a grade below C is received must be repeated at Auburn University if it is counted toward the student’s degree. Both the original grade and the grade for any repeated course will be counted in calculating the CGGPA. Course credits transferred from another institution may not be used to satisfy this requirement. Only grades in Auburn University courses approved for graduate credit will be used in determining the overall GPA for continuation in the Graduate School. If at the end of any semester the cumulative graduate GPA (CGGPA) falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation and Suspension for Graduate Students

If the CGGPA remains below 3.0 after the next eleven credit hours of graduate enrollment (both graded and ungraded) or two consecutive terms (whichever comes first), the student will be placed on academic suspension. Students on academic suspension may not hold a graduate assistantship. The student may be readmitted only after completion of a remediation plan recommended by the academic unit and approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. Course work taken as part of the remediation plan must be completed within two consecutive terms and may count toward both the student’s degree and CGGPA with the recommendation of the department head and the approval of the graduate dean. Upon completion of the remediation plan, the student must have addressed academic deficiencies and have a CGGPA of 3.0 or above. Once approved by the graduate dean, remediation plans may not be amended or extended beyond the original deadline.

Graduate Student Support and Monitoring

The dean of the Graduate School is the general counselor to all graduate students. A faculty advisor or major professor will be designated for each student in accordance with departmental policy. There also will be an advisory committee for each student. The major professor generally serves as the chair of the advisory committee.

The Graduate School requires that each department conduct - at least on an annual basis -an evaluation of the progress of each graduate student enrolled in a doctoral program and each Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). Departments are also encouraged to monitor the progress of all other degree-seeking students. The student’s advisory committee monitors each graduate student’s progress toward a degree, and issues of professional and personal development may be considered. In such cases, the advisory committee will prepare a statement of grievance and discuss it in a meeting with the student. The statement must have the unanimous support of all members of the committee. The student will be warned that corrective measures must be taken within a specified time to avoid action that might result in dismissal. The committee determines the period allowed for correction. The graduate dean will give the student an opportunity to respond and will make a final determination.

College of Veterinary Medicine GPA Requirements

All applicants and students in the professional program are subject to the academic and disciplinary regulations of the College of Veterinary Medicine in addition to those of Auburn University. Any student who earns less than a 2.25 GPA for any term will be placed on academic probation (academic warning). A student who fails to earn a 2.25 GPA in each of the succeeding two terms of enrollment will be dropped from the rolls of the College of Veterinary Medicine for scholastic deficiency. In addition, a student who does not have a veterinary college cumulative average of 2.25 at the end of any academic year will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Specific Grading Policies in Veterinary Medicine

Any student who receives a D in any course or is required to remediate a course to receive a passing grade will be placed on academic probation. If the student receives a second D in the same calendar year or academic year, they will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. A student will be removed from academic probation after two terms, assuming they have met the terms of probation. A student who makes a grade of F in any course will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. If a student who is dismissed for academic reasons is re-admitted, they may be required to repeat additional courses as deemed necessary by the Admissions and Standards Committee.

Clinical Course Requirements

Clinical courses are unique in that the art and skills to be developed in them can be acquired only through full participation in the laboratories. Attendance in these courses is required except in case of illness or other extenuating circumstances as may be judged by the involved instructor. Grading in these clinical laboratory courses is primarily by subjective evaluation. When a course involves student rotation through several disciplines or sections, the student must receive a passing grade in each area before a passing grade can be given for the course. Any student who earns a D or F in any clinical rotation or is required to remediate a course to receive a passing grade will be placed on academic probation. If the student receives a second F during clinical rotations, that student will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine. If the student receives a second and third D or F during clinical rotations (i.e., D-D-F or D-D-D), that student will be required to withdraw from the College of Veterinary Medicine.

D.V.M. Degree Requirements

To be eligible for the D.V.M. degree, candidates must complete all of the required courses in the order listed in the curriculum in veterinary medicine, along with at least four hours of elective credit, with a minimum overall GPA of 2.25. In addition, each senior student must participate in a clinicopathologic conference (CPC) to fulfill their oral communication requirement. Following completion of all academic work, each student is required to serve a preceptorship of 8 weeks with an approved practicing veterinarian. A report of satisfactory completion of the preceptorship is required for graduation.

Additional Considerations for Admission

Financial Aid and Satisfactory Academic Progress

In addition to meeting the general academic requirements of the university, applicants for student financial aid funds must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to receive, or to continue to receive, assistance through federal, state, and institutional student aid programs.

Veterans Resource Center

The Auburn University Veterans Resource Center (AUVRC) assists veterans, guardsmen, reservists, active duty, military dependents, and survivors receiving Veteran Affairs (VA) federal education benefits in all aspects of academic success, while transitioning to campus and community. Priority Registration is given to groups of students who fall under certain categories, including veterans.

Public Administration and Public Policy (PAPP) Program

The Ph.D. program is open to qualified individuals with a master's degree. The admissions committee considers the quality of previous academic work, letters of recommendation, scores on the TOEFL (for non-native English speakers), professional experience, and the fit between the student's educational objectives, faculty research interests and the specializations offered. Applicants are encouraged, though not required, to submit GRE scores for evaluation. The program accepts new students in the spring of each year for enrollment in the fall.

Required Application Materials for PAPP Program

Besides holding a master's degree, applicants also need to do the following to be considered for admission to the Ph.D.: Certified copies of transcripts from all post-secondary schools (undergraduate and graduate). TOEFL scores (international students only; however, international students holding an accredited American degree may not need TOEFL. The following materials should be submitted as part of the online application. In the event of any problems submitting, applicants should contact Ms. A personal statement no longer than 1500 words (please describe yourself, the reasons you want to be a Ph.D. A short writing sample or any publication. Once all the materials are received, the application is sent to the program's Admissions Committee for consideration. Applicants generally receive a decision by early March.

Application Process and Resources

You can submit your admissions application online at auburn.edu/admissions or through the Common Application. Choose the application you're most comfortable with; there's no preference given to either application. We highly encourage you to submit the application you start, filling out both applications may delay your application from being processed. We encourage all documents to be uploaded in the application or sent electronically through the following services: Parchment, National Clearing House, SCOIR or Scribbles.

Data Privacy

The personal data that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the Graduate School collect may be shared internally with academic units, Alumni Affairs and other school officials with a legitimate educational interest.

Disclosure of Prior Misconduct

All applicants for admission to Auburn University are required to disclose on the admission application prior criminal conduct and prior educational misconduct. The University reviews all applications in which a student discloses misconduct at an educational institution and/or prior criminal conduct to determine whether the applicant's admission is in the best interest of the University. Applicants will be required to provide additional information to the University for consideration. This information may include, but is not limited to, copies of criminal disposition records, background checks and screenings and educational and disciplinary records. Applicants may also be asked to provide information releases. All information requested from the applicant must be received by the University at least 30 days before the first day of the semester.

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