What the ABOR GPA is
The ABOR GPA, also called the core GPA or competency GPA, is the grade point average Arizona’s public universities use to admit first-year students. It is not the GPA on your high school transcript. ABOR Policy 2-105 asks for an unweighted GPA on a 4.00 = A scale in the high school core competencies, so honors and AP courses earn no extra point and electives are left out. One credit is one year of study.
| Subject | Credits | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| English | 4 | composition or literature |
| Math | 4 | Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II and one advanced course that needs Algebra II |
| Laboratory science | 3 | biology, chemistry, physics, earth science or integrated science |
| Social science | 2 | one year of American history plus one more |
| Second language | 2 | both years in the same language |
| Fine arts or CTE | 1 | one year of fine arts or of the same career and technical education program |
Core GPA you need: ABOR, UA, ASU and NAU
ABOR sets the floor for all three universities; each one then publishes its own line. The calculator shows all four separately.
| Who | Core GPA | Also |
|---|---|---|
| ABOR minimum (policy 2-105) | 2.5 or above | 14 of 16 credits, 2.00 in each subject area |
| University of Arizona | 3.0 | 2.0 in each subject area, no more than two deficiencies; others may still be considered |
| Arizona State University | 3.00 | or top 25% of the class, or ACT 22 / SAT 1120 (Arizona residents); 2.00 in each subject area |
| Northern Arizona University | 2.5+ for guaranteed admission | at least 14 core courses, up to two deficiencies |
At ASU the 3.00 core GPA is one of four routes: the top 25% of your graduating class, an ACT of 22 or an SAT of 1120 also qualify Arizona residents (24 and 1180 for nonresidents), and test scores are not required. Some ASU degree programs ask for more.
Deficiencies: when 14 of 16 is enough
ABOR Policy 2-105 says: “Applicants must complete a minimum of 14 credits from the 16 listed; the 2 unselected credits cannot be in the same core subject area or a combination of math and laboratory science.” Each missing credit is a deficiency. One missing year of second language plus one missing year of fine arts is allowed; two missing years of language are not, and neither is one missing math year plus one missing lab science year.
The same policy asks for at least 2.00 on the 4.00 scale in each subject area, so a strong overall GPA does not cover a D average in math. The calculator gives credit for any grade from A to D and none for an F; NAU counts a failed core class that was not repeated as a deficiency.
How to calculate your ABOR GPA by hand
- List every semester grade in the 16 core courses only.
- Turn each letter into points: A 4, B 3, C 2, D 1, F 0. No extra point for honors or AP.
- Add the points and divide by the number of grades. That is your core GPA.
- Do the same per subject to check the 2.00 minimum, and count the years you completed.
Worked example: a 3.20 core GPA with one deficiency
A senior has these semester grades. English: A A B A B B A A (29 points on 8 grades, 3.63). Math: B B C B C C B B (21 on 8, 2.63). Lab science: A B B A B B (20 on 6, 3.33). Social science: B A B A (14 on 4, 3.50). Spanish: C C, one year only (4 on 2, 2.00). Art: A A (8 on 2, 4.00).
Core GPA: 29 + 21 + 20 + 14 + 4 + 8 = 96 points on 30 grades = 3.20. Credits: 15 of 16, one deficiency in second language, which ABOR allows. Every subject is at 2.00 or above. So this student is above the ABOR 2.5 minimum, the University of Arizona 3.0 line, ASU’s 3.00 route and NAU’s 2.5 guarantee. With a second missing language year the core rule fails, even at the same GPA.
Plus and minus grades
The policy states the scale only as 4.00 = A and does not mention plus or minus grades. This calculator counts an A− as an A and a B+ as a B and says so under the result. If your school reports plus and minus grades, the university’s own count may differ; the admission office has the final number.
ABOR GPA questions
What is an ABOR GPA?
It is the core GPA Arizona’s three public universities use for first-year admission: unweighted, 4.00 = A, from the 16 core competency credits only. ABOR Policy 2-105 sets 2.5 as the minimum core GPA; the University of Arizona and ASU publish a 3.0 line.
Is the ABOR GPA weighted?
No. ABOR asks for an unweighted GPA on a 4.00 = A scale, so honors and AP courses get no extra point. An A counts 4.00 in any core course, and electives such as PE do not count at all.
What GPA do I need for ASU?
A 3.00 unweighted GPA in the competency courses is one of four routes. The others are the top 25% of your graduating class, ACT 22 or SAT 1120 for Arizona residents (24 and 1180 for nonresidents). You also need at least 2.00 in each subject area.
What GPA do I need for the University of Arizona?
A 3.0 unweighted GPA in the 16 core courses, at least 2.0 in each subject area and no more than two deficiencies, not both in math and lab science and not in the same subject. Applicants who miss this may still be considered in a full review.
What counts as a deficiency?
A core credit you did not complete. ABOR lets two of the 16 credits go unselected if they are not in the same subject and not one math plus one lab science. NAU also counts a failed core class not repeated and a subject GPA below 2.0.
Sources for the ABOR GPA rules
- Arizona Board of Regents Policy Manual, 2-105 Admission Requirements (unweighted 2.5 core GPA, 4.00 = A scale, 14 of 16 credits, 2.00 per subject area; adopted April 10, 2025, effective February 19, 2026; fetched October 21, 2026)
- University of Arizona Admissions, High School Competency Requirements (3.0 unweighted in the 16 core courses, 2.0 per subject, deficiency rules; page undated, fetched October 21, 2026)
- Arizona State University Admission, First-year students (3.00 unweighted in competency courses or one of three other routes, 2.00 per subject, deficiencies; page undated, fetched October 21, 2026)
- Northern Arizona University, Admission requirements (guaranteed admission with a core GPA of 2.5+, deficiencies; page undated, fetched October 21, 2026)
Your transcript GPA with honors and AP weighting: the high school GPA calculator. Already at ASU: the ASU GPA calculator. Applying to the University of California: the UC GPA calculator.