Admit rate has ranged 44%–85% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Auburn University blends Southern charm with academic rigor, offering a powerhouse combination of nationally ranked programs, fierce school spirit, and a tight-knit campus community. Known for its strong business and engineering schools, it delivers robust outcomes with an 82% graduation rate and median earnings of $65,337, all while maintaining a 46% acceptance rate. The university’s 'family atmosphere' and 500+ student organizations create a vibrant, tradition-rich experience anchored by a 1260–1390 SAT middle 50% range.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
26,816
In-state tuition
$12,890
Out-of-state tuition
$34,922
Student Organizations
500+
Six-Year Graduation Rate
82%
Campus Life Grade (Niche)
A+
Median Earnings (Post-10Yrs)
$73,151
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$65,337
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.7×
Median debt at graduation
$21,000
Graduation rate
82%
First-year retention
95%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
72%
Pell (lower-income) share
13%
First-gen share (among federal-aid recipients)
17%
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Chemical Engineering$74,576
Engineering, Other$74,157
Mechanical Engineering$68,778
Architectural Engineering$66,240
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$65,753
Computer Engineering$65,711
Applicants here also applied to
The schools that most often appear alongside Auburn on applicants’ lists, from our self-reported outcomes corpus.
Co-application frequency from self-reported results — directional peer discovery, not a recommendation.
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
16
Per 1,000 students
0.48
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
106
Summer high
89°F
Winter low
42°F
Annual rain
53.3"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
481
Scholarly works
81,464
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.1%
Bottom → top quintile
32%
From bottom quintile
3%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Auburn University?
Auburn University's acceptance rate is approximately 46% (Auburn, AL), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Auburn University?
Admitted students at Auburn University typically score 1260–1390 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Auburn University cost?
At Auburn University, the average net price (after aid) is about $24,323 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Auburn University?
Auburn University enrolls approximately 26,816 undergraduate students.
Where is Auburn University located?
Auburn University is located in Auburn, AL.
Admissions
Auburn’s admissions process is selective but not cutthroat, with a 44-46% that varies slightly by year. The university is test-preferred, strongly encouraging SAT/ACT submissions (middle 50% ranges: SAT 1260–1380, ACT 25–31), though it offers limited flexibility for Fall 2026. Out-of-state applicants face steeper odds, with admitted non-residents boasting higher averages (GPA 4.27, ACT 30.8) compared to deferred (GPA 3.95, ACT 25.1) or denied students (GPA 3.33, ACT 22.1). Auburn evaluates rigor of high school coursework alongside test scores, and its four Early Action rounds provide strategic opportunities for eager applicants.
Auburn offers 150+ majors across standout colleges like the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business and the College of Engineering, which anchor its most popular programs (business administration, finance, and engineering). The university’s hands-on approach—emphasizing undergraduate research and professional preparation—helps explain its consistent U.S. News rankings among top national universities. While debates simmer over niche program strengths (e.g., accounting vs. rival Alabama), Auburn’s broader academic reputation leans on its balance of STEM prowess and liberal arts foundations. The 14:1 student-faculty ratio supports accessible mentorship, though large introductory lectures aren’t uncommon.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Industrial Engineering
$65,170
Polymer/Plastics Engineering$63,749
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Auburn’s campus pulses with Southern hospitality and school pride, epitomized by its A+-rated student life (per Niche). Over 500 organizations—from Greek life (a major presence) to service clubs—anchor social scenes, while game-day traditions (like rolling Toomer’s Corner after football wins) unite the community. The ‘family atmosphere’ extends beyond athletics: students praise the inclusivity of campus events and the walkability of Auburn’s quaint downtown. Housing is a rite of passage, with 85% of freshmen living on campus in dorms that blend historic charm (Magnolia Hall) with modern amenities. Downsides? Some note limited nightlife beyond bars, though nearby Chewacla State Park offers outdoor escapes.
Auburn delivers strong ROI, with an 82% six-year graduation rate (well above the national 59% midpoint) and a 99% career-outcome knowledge rate. Median earnings hit $73,151 within a decade of graduation—outpacing many peers—thanks to robust recruiting pipelines in business, engineering, and healthcare. The university’s First-Year Retention rate (91%) reflects academic support systems, while its co-op programs (especially in engineering) give students a wage edge. Notably, alumni networks are fiercely loyal, with Tigers often hiring fellow Tigers.
Auburn’s annual net price averages $25,604 after aid, though out-of-state students pay significantly more. About 68% of undergraduates receive grants (average $7,375), and 65% score institutional scholarships—but is increasingly competitive. The university’s cost calculator helps families estimate aid packages, which average $14,687 per recipient. While tuition has risen steadily, Auburn’s outcomes justify the investment for many: its earnings-to-debt ratio outperforms regional peers.
Auburn strikes a rare balance: elite school spirit meets serious academics. Its engineering and business programs compete with flagship peers, while traditions like the War Eagle battle cry foster lifelong loyalty. The campus’s intimate scale (compared to mega-state schools) ensures professors know students by name, yet resources rival larger institutions. For students craving a collaborative, football-fueled community with strong job pipelines—especially in the Southeast—Auburn is hard to top.
Auburn University logo · sourceTips For Planning Your Own Tours Of Auburn University · sourceAuburn University Research and Innovation Campus · sourceCampus Green + Main Transit Pavilion at Auburn University | KPS Group · source
