Compass has compiled the most recently available score range data and admission testing policies for popular colleges and universities, public and private, chosen to represent a wide array of four-year postsecondary institutions in the U.S. About 75% of the schools on this list have reported for the class entering in Fall 2021, which was the first admission cycle with widespread test optional policies in response to students’ inability to test during the early months of the pandemic. This is evident in the absence of score data at some schools.
The SAT and ACT scores in the table below represent the most recently reported scores available. You can use these new ranges to better understand the typical test scores of enrolled students. These scores should not be viewed as cutoffs or qualifying scores. Additionally the table includes application data, an explanation of relevant test optional (TO) policies – e.g. temporary suspension of the testing requirement, permanently TO, or Test Free (TF).
Students who choose not to submit test scores when applying to colleges will be evaluated holistically. In the absence of a test score, admissions officers may bring an even greater focus to the student’s academic achievements. Students especially should strive to do very well in school and maintain the strongest possible GPA in classes that challenge them appropriately. Compass offers academic tutoring in over 50 subjects to help students maximize their scholastic potential. We have a strong team of subject specific expert tutors to guide the program from start to finish. We also offer a Study Skills and Organizational Coaching program to provide students with the tools they need to excel in the classroom.
This list is intended as a broad snapshot of the competitive landscape of college admission. Students taking a holistic approach to their college search will undoubtedly consider many other wonderful colleges not included in this list.
For more information about college admission testing, please visit compassprep.com/guide.
Schools marked with an asterisk (*) are only Test Optional for some students. Please read these schools’ policies carefully to determine if you qualify for admission without test scores. We strive to keep this list current as colleges continuously revise their policies. As soon as we learn of a change, we update this table. We also encourage you to click on a college’s name to link directly to its testing policy page for the most complete guidance.
School | TO? | Applies to Class Year(s) | Policy Details | Number of Applicants | Accept Rate | SAT Total 25th–75th Percentile | ACT Total 25th–75th Percentile |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | No | MIT has ended their temporary test optional policy. Students applying to the class of 2027 and beyond will need to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 20075 | 7.26% | 1510–1570 | 34–36 | |
Georgetown University | No | Georgetown requires submission of SAT/ACT scores for admission. Students who apply without scores will be asked to explain why they were unable to take a test. Georgetown does not offer merit-based aid. | 27629 | 11.98% | 1380–1530 | 32–35 | |
United States Air Force Academy | No | USAFA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 11599 | 12.31% | 1400–1510 | 31–35 | |
Georgia Institute of Technology | No | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. | 45388 | 18.3% | 1370–1520 | 31–35 | |
United States Merchant Maritime Academy | No | USMMA requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1790 | 25.2% | — | — | |
University of Florida | No | The University of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 48193 | 31.13% | 1310–1450 | 29–33 | |
University of Central Florida | No | University of Central Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 48927 | 36.37% | 1170–1350 | 25–30 | |
Florida State University | No | Florida State University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 65256 | 37.06% | 1200–1330 | 26–30 | |
University of Georgia | No | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. | 39090 | 40.14% | 1280–1430 | 28–32 | |
University of South Florida | No | University of South Florida requries either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 50368 | 49.4% | 1150–1330 | 24–29 | |
Gallaudet University | No | Gallaudet University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 477 | 61.22% | 785–985 | 14–19 | |
Florida International | No | Florida International University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the ACT Writing Test. | 16406 | 64.01% | 1030–1220 | 21–27 | |
Florida Institute of Technology | No | Florida Institute of Technology requires either the SAT or ACT. It generally does not require the optional ACT Writing Test, but it may be required for some applicants. | 10650 | 65.88% | 1150–1330 | 24–30 | |
Purdue University—West Lafayette | No | Purdue University requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 59173 | 68.88% | 1190–1430 | 26–33 | |
New College of Florida | No | The New College of Florida requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 1650 | 74.18% | 1110–1328 | 23–29 | |
University of Tennessee | No | The University of Tennessee requires SAT/ACT scores as part of the application for admission. | 29909 | 74.94% | 1180–1340 | 25–31 | |
Thomas Aquinas College | No | Thomas Aquinas College requires requires that applicants take the SAT, the ACT, or the CLT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. Thomas Aquinas College does not offer merit-based aid. | 204 | 78.92% | 1150–1390 | 26–31 | |
Columbia University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Columbia offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 60551 | 3.89% | 1510–1560 | 34–35 |
California Institute of Technology | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Caltech has extended their temporary Test Free policy, meaning it will not consider standardized test scores, to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. CalTech does not offer merit-based aid. | 13026 | 3.92% | — | — |
Stanford University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Stanford extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 55471 | 3.95% | 1470–1560 | 34–35 |
Harvard College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | Harvard has extended their temporary test optional policy through the 2026 admissions cycle. | 57789 | 4.01% | 1480–1580 | 33–36 |
Princeton University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Princeton has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. Princeton does not offer merit-based aid. | 37601 | 4.38% | 1470–1560 | 33–35 |
Yale University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Yale has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. Yale does not offer merit-based aid. | 47240 | 5.31% | 1480–1560 | 33–35 |
Brown University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Brown has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. Brown does not offer merit-based aid. | 46568 | 5.51% | 1470–1550 | 33–35 |
Dartmouth College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Dartmouth has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. Dartmouth does not offer merit-based aid. | 28356 | 6.17% | 1430–1550 | 32–35 |
Johns Hopkins University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | Johns Hopkins has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 38513 | 6.43% | 1520–1560 | 34–35 |
University of Chicago | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | UChicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 37977 | 6.48% | 1510–1560 | 33–35 |
Pomona College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Pomona College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 11620 | 6.64% | 1480–1550 | 33–35 |
Northwestern University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Northwestern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 47636 | 6.97% | 1490–1550 | 33–35 |
Vanderbilt University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Vanderbilt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 47152 | 7.14% | 1480–1570 | 34–35 |
Swarthmore College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Swarthmore has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024-25 admission cycle. | 13012 | 7.79% | 1440–1540 | 33–35 |
Duke University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Duke has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 39603 | 7.79% | 1480–1560 | 34–35 |
Cornell University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Cornell has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024 applicants. Additionally, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Architecture, Art, and Planning, and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business will not consider test scores even if submitted. Cornell does not offer merit-based aid. | 67380 | 8.69% | 1450–1540 | 33–35 |
Amherst College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Amherst has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 13999 | 8.74% | 1440–1540 | 32–35 |
Bowdoin College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bowdoin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bowdoin does not offer merit-based aid. | 9325 | 8.82% | 1330–1510 | 31–34 |
Williams College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 2024, 2025, 2026 | Williams has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admissions cycle. | 12452 | 8.83% | 1470–1550 | 33–35 |
University of Pennsylvania | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | UPenn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 42205 | 8.98% | 1460–1570 | 33–35 |
United States Naval Academy | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | USNA has extended their temporary test flexible policy, meaning they will review applications with or without standardized test scores. Students seeking admission without a test score will be asked to provide supporting information concerning test availability, cancellation, etc. | 15699 | 9.08% | 1250–1510 | 27–34 |
United States Military Academy | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | West Point has extended their temporary test flexible policy, which allows students to submit official PSAT scores in lieu of SAT or ACT scores. They require the ACT with writing, and students who submit PSAT or SAT scores may be asked to provide a timed writing sample. | 15856 | 9.28% | 1220–1440 | 28–33 |
Rice University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Rice has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022-23 admissions cycle. | 29544 | 9.48% | 1490–1570 | 34–35 |
Tulane University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Tulane has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 45525 | 9.63% | 1380–1490 | 30–33 |
Colby College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Colby College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Colby does not offer merit-based aid. | 13584 | 9.67% | 1380–1520 | 31–34 |
Harvey Mudd College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Harvey Mudd has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 4737 | 9.99% | 1470–1540 | 34–36 |
University of California—Los Angeles | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 139490 | 10.77% | — | — |
Claremont McKenna College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | CMC has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 5632 | 11.24% | 1440–1500 | 32–35 |
Tufts University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | Tufts has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025–26 admission cycle. | 31198 | 11.43% | 1450–1530 | 33–35 |
Barnard College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Barnard College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. Barnard College does not offer merit-based aid. | 10395 | 11.47% | 1445–1530 | 32–34 |
University of Southern California | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | USC has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 71031 | 12.51% | 1330–1520 | 30–34 |
Washington University in St. Louis | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Washington University in St. Louis has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 33634 | 13% | 1490–1570 | 33–35 |
Emory University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Emory has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 33435 | 13.05% | 1430–1530 | 32–34 |
Middlebury College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Middlebury has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for first-year and transfer students, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year pilot period, Middlebury will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or return to its previous test flexible policy. Middlebury does not offer merit-based aid. | 11906 | 13.45% | 1400–1520 | 32–34 |
Carnegie Mellon University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Carnegie Mellon has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 32896 | 13.54% | 1480–1560 | 33–35 |
Hamilton College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Hamilton has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. Hamilton does not offer merit-based aid. | 9380 | 14.07% | 1440–1520 | 33–35 |
Colorado College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Colorado College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 10975 | 14.25% | 1265–1450 | 29–33 |
University of California—Berkeley | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 112846 | 14.54% | — | — |
University of Notre Dame | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Notre Dame has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 23642 | 15.07% | 1410–1550 | 32–35 |
The Cooper Union | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Cooper Union has extemded their temporary test optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants, to Fall 2023. | 2326 | 15.86% | 1305–1530 | 30–35 |
Wellesley College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Wellesley College has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024 admission. | 7665 | 16.18% | 1410–1530 | 31–35 |
Colgate University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 | Colgate University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2026–27 admissions cycle. | 17540 | 17.19% | 1360–1490 | 31–34 |
Bates College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bates offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Bates does not offer merit-based aid. | 7319 | 17.31% | 1290–1440 | 30–34 |
Carleton College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Carleton College has extended their temporary test optional to Fall 2023 admissions. | 7915 | 17.55% | 1440–1530 | 31–35 |
Davidson College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Davidson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students who attend non-traditional schools are recommended to submit scores. | 6434 | 17.8% | 1340–1480 | 30–33 |
Haverford College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Haverford offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission with SAT or ACT scores. Haverford does not offer merit-based aid. | 5332 | 17.84% | 1440–1520 | 33–35 |
Pitzer College | Yes | 2022, 2023, 2024 | Pitzer has been test optional since 2003. After nearly two decades of test optional admissions, Pitzer College will switch to a test-free admission policy for at least three years, beginning with the admission cycle for fall 2022. | 3676 | 18.31% | 1410–1500 | 31–33 |
Northeastern University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | Northeastern has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025-26 admission cycle. | 75244 | 18.38% | 1440–1530 | 33–35 |
Boston University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | BU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 75778 | 18.65% | 1390–1490 | 31–34 |
Washington and Lee University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Washington and Lee has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 6614 | 18.87% | 1410–1530 | 32–35 |
Boston College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Boston College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 39846 | 19.04% | 1430–1510 | 33–34 |
University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 53776 | 19.24% | 1330–1500 | 29–33 |
Wesleyan University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. International students will not be required to submit SAT or ACT scores for the 2020-21 admission cycle. | 13067 | 19.44% | 1310–1490 | 31–34 |
Vassar College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Vassar offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Vassar College does not offer merit-based aid. | 10884 | 20.15% | 1420–1520 | 32–34 |
University of Michigan—Ann Arbor | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University of Michigan has extended their temporary test flexible policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 79743 | 20.15% | 1360–1530 | 31–35 |
United States Coast Guard Academy | Yes | 2022 | USCGA has adopted a temporary test optional policy for the 2021–22 admission cycle. While scores are optional, they are preferred, and students applying without scores are asked to upload a short statement. | 1930 | 20.31% | 1212–1400 | 25–30 |
University of Virginia | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | UVA has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admissions cycle. | 47982 | 20.74% | 1400–1510 | 32–35 |
New York University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | NYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 80210 | 21.09% | 1390–1510 | 31–34 |
Grinnell College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Grinnell has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 8004 | 23.08% | 1370–1530 | 31–34 |
Babson College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Babson has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 7104 | 25% | 1400–1500 | 31–34 |
Wake Forest University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Wake Forest offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 15156 | 25.18% | 1380–1480 | 30–33 |
Villanova University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Villanova has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 24410 | 25.24% | 1350–1490 | 31–34 |
Rhode Island School of Design | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Rhode Island School of Design offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are still required to submit test scores. | 3832 | 25.76% | 1230–1470 | 26–32 |
Case Western Reserve University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Case Western has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 28786 | 27.36% | 1350–1520 | 30–34 |
Denison University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Denison offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 9513 | 28.27% | 1250–1410 | 28–32 |
University of Miami | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Miami has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 42244 | 28.49% | 1310–1450 | 30–33 |
University of Texas—Austin | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | UT Austin has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 66043 | 28.75% | 1230–1480 | 29–34 |
University of Richmond | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Richmond has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 13955 | 28.77% | 1320–1462 | 31–34 |
University of California—Irvine | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 107952 | 28.94% | — | — |
University of California—Santa Barbara | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 105647 | 29.18% | — | — |
Scripps College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Scripps offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2952 | 29.54% | 1400–1510 | 31–34 |
Smith College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Smith College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 6064 | 29.91% | 1390–1510 | 31–34 |
Skidmore College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Skidmore College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11176 | 30.59% | 1300–1420 | 29–33 |
Macalester College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Macalester College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Macalester recommends that homeschooled students and students who attend high schools that do not provide grades submit SAT or ACT scores. | 9031 | 31.31% | 1360–1490 | 29–33 |
California State Polytechnic University—San Luis Obispo | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 54570 | 33% | 1240–1420 | 28–33 |
Berea College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Berea College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–23 admission cycle. | 1736 | 33.24% | 1090–1298 | 23–27 |
Trinity University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Trinity University has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for first-time, international, and homeschooled students beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year pilot period, Trinity will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 9626 | 33.72% | 1300–1450 | 29–33 |
University of California—San Diego | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 118410 | 34.31% | — | — |
Oberlin College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Oberlin College has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for first-time, international, and homeschooled students beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year pilot period, Oberlin will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 10597 | 34.34% | 1340–1460 | 30–34 |
Bucknell University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Bucknell University adopted a five-year, test optional policy for first-year students, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. Bucknell will use the five-year pilot period to assess the patterns of success for test score submitters and non-submitters. | 11263 | 34.5% | 1230–1390 | 26–32 |
CUNY—Hunter | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022 | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 33750 | 35.17% | 1150–1350 | — |
Howard University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Howard University has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2021-22 admissions cycle. | 29396 | 35.25% | 1100–1270 | 21–26 |
University of Rochester | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Rochester offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 19607 | 35.43% | 1300–1500 | 29–33 |
University of Tulsa | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Tulsa has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 9793 | 35.84% | 1090–1360 | 24–31 |
Hampton University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Hampton University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.3+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9551 | 36% | 1030–1160 | 20–25 |
Hillsdale College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hillsdale College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2208 | 36.01% | 1340–1495 | 30–34 |
Trinity College (Hartford) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Trinity offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5952 | 36.04% | 1310–1420 | 30–32 |
College of William and Mary | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | William and Mary offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 17475 | 36.54% | 1360–1520 | 31–34 |
Kenyon College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Kenyon has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 semester. | 7601 | 36.55% | 1360–1470 | 31–34 |
Franklin and Marshall College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Franklin and Marshall College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Franklin and Marshall does not offer merit-based aid. | 7720 | 37.54% | 1260–1410 | 29–32 |
San Diego State University | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 67660 | 37.9% | 1130–1320 | 22–29 |
Occidental College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Oxy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6495 | 38.24% | 1350–1470 | 30–33 |
Brandeis University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Brandeis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9796 | 39.14% | 1390–1500 | 31–34 |
Bryn Mawr College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bryn Mawr offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3391 | 39.34% | 1290–1460 | 30–33 |
Emerson College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Emerson College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 13324 | 40.6% | 1220–1380 | 27–32 |
Lafayette College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Lafayette College extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 8262 | 40.74% | 1330–1440 | 30–33 |
Connecticut College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Connecticut College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 7682 | 40.95% | 1353–1450 | 30–33 |
Austin College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Austin College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4151 | 42.57% | 1120–1330 | 23–29 |
College of the Holy Cross | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The College of the Holy Cross offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6498 | 42.87% | 1240–1420 | 28–32 |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | RPI has extended their temporary test optional police to the 2023–24 admission cycle. However, students applying to the Physician-Scientist Program will be required to submit the appropriate testing. | 20402 | 42.99% | 1330–1500 | 29–33 |
CUNY—Baruch College | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022 | The CUNY system has extended their temporary test free policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 20303 | 43.4% | 1130–1330 | — |
Reed College | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Reed has extended their temporary test free admission policy to the Fall 2023 period. | 7010 | 43.81% | 1330–1500 | 30–34 |
Syracuse University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Syracuse extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admissions cycle. | 35299 | 44.38% | 1180–1380 | 26–30 |
Illinois Wesleyan University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Illinois Wesleyan has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021-22 admission cycle. Test optional applicants must have an interview with their admissions counselor and submit an essay. | 4543 | 45.23% | 1130–1320 | 24–29 |
Binghamton University—SUNY | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 38533 | 45.3% | 1320–1460 | 30–33 |
Loyola Marymount University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | LMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 19045 | 45.82% | 1260–1410 | 28–32 |
Lehigh University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Lehigh has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 14107 | 45.97% | 1340–1460 | 30–34 |
University of California—Davis | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 76225 | 46.32% | 1160–1370 | 25–31 |
California State University—Long Beach | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 67092 | 46.87% | — | — |
Union College (Schenectady, NY) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Union College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and those applying for the Leadership in Medicine program or the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7470 | 47.03% | 1270–1450 | 28–32 |
North Carolina State University—Raleigh | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 32893 | 47.23% | 1290–1430 | 27–32 |
St. Olaf College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. Olaf College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6494 | 47.43% | 1240–1420 | 28–33 |
Clark University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Clark University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8151 | 48.03% | 1220–1380 | 27–30 |
Stony Brook University—SUNY | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 38826 | 48.06% | 1320–1460 | 29–33 |
Dickinson College | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Dickinson has extended their temporary test free policy to the Fall 2023 semester. | 6366 | 48.08% | 1383–1465 | — |
Clemson University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Clemson has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 47007 | 49.22% | 1240–1400 | 27–32 |
George Washington University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | George Washington University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants applying to the accelerated Seven-Year B.A./M.D. Program, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and recruited NCAA Division 1 athletes are not eligible for test optional admission (unless allowed by the NCAA). | 27236 | 49.71% | 1320–1460 | 30–34 |
Spelman College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Spelman has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 11176 | 50.76% | 1070–1240 | 20–26 |
Rollins College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Rollins offers a test optional policy ("test scores waived option"), which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the 3/2 Accelerated Management Program or the Honors Degree Program must submit test scores. | 8049 | 50.86% | 1180–1330 | 25–29 |
Southwestern University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Southwestern University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4757 | 51.04% | 1155–1320 | 25–31 |
The College of New Jersey | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | The College of New Jersey has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for all applicants, beginning in the 2020-21 admission cycle. | 13199 | 51.25% | 1150–1300 | 24–30 |
University of Dallas | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Dallas has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 4645 | 51.63% | 1130–1335 | 23–30 |
University of Maryland—College Park | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025 | UMD has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 application cycle. | 50146 | 51.99% | 1340–1490 | 30–34 |
Mount Holyoke College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Mount Holyoke College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3971 | 52.3% | 1340–1470 | 31–35 |
Wofford College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Wofford College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4349 | 52.47% | 1220–1390 | 28–32 |
University of San Diego | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of San Diego has extended their temporary test free policy to the Fall 2023 semester. | 14326 | 52.7% | — | — |
Pepperdine University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Pepperdine has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 11855 | 52.71% | 1280–1430 | 25–30 |
Soka University of America | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Soka University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 513 | 52.83% | 1220–1365 | 24–28 |
Stevens Institute of Technology | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Stevens Institute of Technology has extended their temporary test optional policy, with some exceptions, for Fall 2023. | 11320 | 53% | 1370–1510 | 31–34 |
Southern Methodist University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | SMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 15685 | 53.13% | 1350–1490 | 31–34 |
University of Washington—Seattle | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Washington—Seattle offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 48840 | 53.48% | 1240–1450 | 29–34 |
Texas Christian University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | TCU has extended their temporary test optional policy through 2023. | 19782 | 53.61% | 1140–1345 | 26–31 |
Santa Clara University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Santa Clara University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023 terms. | 16848 | 53.98% | 1300–1460 | 29–33 |
Sarah Lawrence College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Sarah Lawrence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3674 | 54.63% | 1230–1390 | 27–32 |
University of La Verne | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of La Verne offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6864 | 54.82% | 1040–1190 | 19–24 |
Marist College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Marist College offers a test optional policy, offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students applying to some programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 11715 | 55% | 1210–1340 | 26–31 |
California State Polytechnic University—Pomona | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 36660 | 55.48% | 1030–1250 | 19–27 |
University of Connecticut | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | UConn has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 36753 | 55.6% | 1230–1430 | 27–33 |
Fairfield University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Fairfield University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 12674 | 55.81% | 1240–1370 | 27–31 |
Gettysburg College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Gettysburg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Gettysburg recommends that both international and homeschooled students submit SAT or ACT scores. | 6206 | 56.33% | 1280–1430 | 28–32 |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Virginia Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 42054 | 56.47% | 1210–1410 | 26–35 |
St. Lawrence University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. Lawrence offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5217 | 56.55% | 1230–1380 | 29–32 |
Baylor University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Baylor has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools that only provide narrative evaluations, and students who graduate high school early are not eligible for test optional admissions. | 36588 | 56.69% | 1170–1350 | 25–32 |
Colorado School of Mines | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Mines offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 12022 | 56.88% | 1320–1460 | 29–33 |
Rhodes College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Rhodes College has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for all first-year applicants beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year pilot period, Rhodes will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 5318 | 56.88% | 1320–1450 | 28–32 |
Ohio State University—Columbus | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | OSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 58180 | 57.18% | 1260–1420 | 26–32 |
New School | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The New School offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9413 | 57.41% | 1150–1380 | 25–30 |
Hampden-Sydney College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Hampden-Sydney College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 3056 | 57.43% | 1060–1320 | 20–27 |
Lake Forest College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Lake Forest College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants must complete an interview. Homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4482 | 57.61% | 1100–1275 | 23–30 |
Pennsylvania State University—University Park | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Penn State has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2025 term. | 78578 | 57.61% | 1200–1400 | 26–32 |
Morehouse College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Morehouse has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admissions cycle. | 3554 | 57.88% | 1010–1210 | 20–25 |
California State University—Fresno | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 18122 | 57.94% | 950–1130 | 16–22 |
Providence College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Providence College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 11129 | 57.98% | 1120–1315 | 26–31 |
Saint Louis University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Saint Louis University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 15573 | 58.28% | 1170–1380 | 25–30 |
Fordham University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Fordham University has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2024 admissions. | 46275 | 58.3% | 1320–1450 | 30–33 |
Whitman College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Whitman College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, international and homeschooled students are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores. | 5274 | 58.68% | 1275–1415 | 29–33 |
University of California—Santa Cruz | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 61822 | 58.9% | — | — |
Brigham Young University—Provo | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | BYU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 11608 | 59.18% | 1230–1420 | 26–32 |
Texas Lutheran University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | TLU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 2683 | 59.3% | 1018–1160 | 19–24 |
California State University—Fullerton | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 45140 | 59.43% | 935–1160 | 16–25 |
Texas A&M University—College Station | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Texas A&M has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 44110 | 59.59% | 1160–1370 | 25–31 |
University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign offers a test optional oplicy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 47593 | 59.66% | 1340–1510 | 29–34 |
St. John's College—Annapolis | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. John's College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who will not earn high school diplomas are not eligible for test optional admission. Most international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 909 | 59.85% | 1200–1420 | 26–32 |
Bennington College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bennington has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 1382 | 59.99% | 1240–1360 | 25–31 |
Worcester Polytechnic Institute | Yes (TF) | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 | WPI has adopted an eight year test free policy, which means the university does not accept scores in the application process, beginning with the Fall 2021 application cycle. | 11092 | 60.21% | — | — |
Sewanee: University of the South | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Sewanee—The University of the South offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4162 | 60.26% | 1210–1380 | 26–31 |
University of Wisconsin—Madison | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University of Wisiconsin—Madison has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 53829 | 60.31% | 1350–1480 | 28–32 |
Chapman University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Chapman offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who graduate from schools without traditional grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 15098 | 60.37% | 1223–1400 | 26–31 |
Birmingham-Southern College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Birmingham-Southern College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who select test optional admission are required to have an interview with an admissions counselor. | 2460 | 60.45% | 1020–1390 | 22–28 |
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University—Daytona Beach | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students must provide SAT or ACT scores and show academic strength through AP Exams. | 9581 | 60.6% | 1130–1320 | 23–30 |
The College of Wooster | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The College of Wooster offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 6611 | 60.63% | 1250–1410 | 26–32 |
Biola University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Biola University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 4354 | 60.77% | 1133–1340 | 22–29 |
Bentley University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Bentley University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 9311 | 60.94% | 1250–1400 | 29–32 |
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2018 | 61.4% | 1120–1310 | 23–29 |
Abilene Christian University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | ACU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. However, only students who submit test scores will be considered for the honors college. | 11379 | 61.48% | 1015–1230 | 21–28 |
Lipscomb University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Lipscomb University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 term. | 3621 | 61.5% | 1090–1290 | 22–29 |
University of South Carolina | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | The University of South Carolina has extended their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2023 admissions. | 42045 | 61.56% | 1150–1340 | 26–31 |
Wabash College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Wabash has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 1635 | 61.59% | 1150–1325 | 23–29 |
Muhlenberg College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Muhlenberg College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 4543 | 62.18% | 1170–1340 | 26–31 |
Luther College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Luther College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 4108 | 62.27% | 1040–1270 | 22–28 |
Truman State University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Truman State University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 semester. Students applying to the nursing major must submit scores. Test scores are also required to be eligible for some scholarships or programs. | 4595 | 62.61% | 1150–1350 | 24–31 |
Wayne State University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | WSU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 15305 | 62.74% | 1010–1220 | 21–28 |
Coe College | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Coe College requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement if you have a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 7431 | 63.33% | 1050–1255 | 21–27 |
University of Vermont | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Vermont has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022-23 admission cycle. | 25559 | 63.51% | 1250–1400 | 29–33 |
University of Denver | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Denver offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 22694 | 63.63% | 1220–1370 | 27–31 |
Virginia Military Institute | Yes | 2021, 2022 | VMI has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 1549 | 63.91% | 1090–1260 | 22–27 |
American University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | American University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 19650 | 64.09% | 1290–1430 | 29–33 |
DePauw University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | DePauw University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who wish to apply for an Honor Scholar or Fellows program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5695 | 64.67% | 1180–1400 | 24–31 |
University of New Mexico | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | UNM offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home-schooled and non-traditional students are not eligible for TO admission. Scores are also necessary for some scholarships. | 14026 | 64.73% | — | 20–26 |
Bard College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bard College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4912 | 64.76% | 1234–1413 | 27–31 |
Furman University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Furman University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 5194 | 65.25% | 1260–1382 | 28–32 |
Drury University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Drury University offers a test optional policy, which allows domestic students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 1949 | 65.42% | 1070–1250 | 23–30 |
University of Houston | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | University of Houston requires the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class or have a 3.45+ GPA. | 29721 | 65.52% | 1160–1310 | 23–28 |
University of Massachusetts—Amherst | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | UMass Amherst offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 42540 | 65.53% | 1270–1450 | 28–33 |
University of California—Riverside | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 52675 | 65.84% | — | — |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | Yes | 2021, 2022 | The New Jersey Institute of Technology has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admissions cycle. | 10299 | 66.03% | 1200–1370 | 25–31 |
Illinois Institute of Technology | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Illinois Institute of Technology has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 6520 | 66.1% | 1230–1400 | 26–32 |
Georgia State | Yes* | 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. However, students applying to Georgia State with a 3.4+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 24457 | 66.65% | 970–1150 | 20–26 |
University of Pittsburgh | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Pitt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 34656 | 66.68% | 1250–1470 | 28–33 |
Milwaukee School of Engineering | Yes | 2021, 2022 | MSOE has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 4522 | 66.72% | 1190–1370 | 24–30 |
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—New Brunswick | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Rutgers has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2023–24 admission cycle. | 41263 | 66.93% | 1180–1410 | 25–32 |
Ohio Wesleyan University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ohio Wesleyan University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4281 | 67.27% | 1080–1330 | 22–28 |
Beloit College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Beloit offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3277 | 67.32% | 1230–1380 | 24–28 |
Pratt Institute | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Pratt has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 7896 | 67.34% | 1190–1410 | 27–32 |
Yeshiva University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Yeshiva offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for regular admission without SAT/AC scores. However, honors applicants are required to submit scores. | 1442 | 67.41% | 1160–1410 | 24–31 |
Hobart and William Smith Colleges | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hobart and William Smith Colleges offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3772 | 67.5% | 1170–1380 | 28–32 |
Stonehill College | Yes (TF) | 2021, 2022 | Stonehill College has has extended their temporary test free policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 6961 | 67.69% | 1120–1290 | 24–28.5 |
Hofstra University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hofstra Univeristy offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 24886 | 67.76% | 1180–1370 | 27–31 |
University of North Carolina—Wilmington | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 15792 | 67.98% | 1220–1320 | 24–28 |
University at Albany—SUNY | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 21265 | 67.99% | 1090–1280 | 22–29 |
Oklahoma State University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Oklahoma State University has extended their temporary test optional policy for students applying in the 2021-22 admission cycle. However, test scores are required for most university scholarships. | 16939 | 68.36% | 1045–1250 | 20–27 |
Concordia College—Moorhead | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Concordia College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3395 | 68.37% | 956–1343 | 21–27 |
Millsaps College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Millsaps College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 5223 | 68.81% | 1080–1290 | 21–26 |
Ball State | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ball State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 24475 | 68.88% | — | — |
Drake University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Drake University offers a test optional policy, which it refers to as a "test-flexible" plan, which allows students to either write an essay or sit for an interview in lieu of submitting test scores. However, homeschooled students, as well as applicants to certain programs, are not eligible for test optional admission. | 7932 | 69.05% | 1190–1380 | 25–31 |
Earlham College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Earlham offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1659 | 69.08% | 1110–1320 | 26–30 |
Queens University of Charlotte | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Queens University of Charlotte offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, though they encourage applicants to submit scores. | 3503 | 69.2% | 1070–1210 | 20–27 |
DePaul University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | DePaul University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 32075 | 69.44% | 1090–1290 | — |
Ripon College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ripon College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2900 | 69.52% | 990–1220 | 19–25 |
Agnes Scott College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Agnes Scott College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1625 | 69.85% | 1170–1390 | 27–31 |
Washington College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Washington College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and internantional applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2893 | 69.86% | 1170–1350 | 27–32 |
University of Hawaii at Manoa | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Hawaii has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 application cycle. | 19612 | 69.96% | — | — |
Hendrix College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hendrix College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students who are native speakers of English are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1628 | 69.96% | 1150–1370 | 25–31 |
Texas State University | Yes* | 2021, 2022 | Texas State requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, Fall 2022 applicants may apply test-optional if they are in the top 75% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 31073 | 69.99% | 1000–1170 | 18–25 |
Texas Tech University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Texas Tech has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 entry terms. | 29131 | 70.03% | 1070–1240 | 22–27 |
St. Mary's College of California | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. Mary's offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, student-athletes, homeschooled students, and students attending schools that don't give grades must provide test scores. | 3523 | 70.08% | — | — |
University at Buffalo—SUNY | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The SUNY system offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 30750 | 70.09% | 1180–1360 | 25–31 |
Augustana College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Augustana College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Test optional applicants may be asked to complete an interview. However, homeschooled applicants and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 6640 | 70.48% | 1170–1270 | 23–30 |
Louisiana State University—Baton Rouge | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | LSU requires SAT or ACT scores, however students who earn at least a 3.0 GPA on core classes or 18 early college credits with a 2.5 GPA may apply without test scores. | 36561 | 70.86% | 1130–1300 | 23–29 |
Knox College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Knox College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3038 | 70.87% | 1180–1360 | 24–31 |
Randolph-Macon College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Randolph-Macon College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 2460 | 70.89% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
University of San Francisco | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of San Francisco offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 22372 | 70.92% | 1200–1370 | 26–31 |
St. John Fisher University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | St. John Fisher College has adopted a two-year test optional policy beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. They will reevaluate their policy after two years. | 4515 | 71.1% | 1120–1260 | 23–29 |
Auburn University | Yes* | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Auburn requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, Fall 2023 applicants with a 3.6+ GPA may apply test-optional. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 27619 | 71.18% | 1180–1330 | 24–30 |
Rochester Institute of Technology | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Rochester Institute of Technology offers a test optional policy, which allows students applying to most programs to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students applying to imaging science, motion picture science, and photographic sciences within the College of Art & Design must still provide test scores | 21683 | 71.2% | 1270–1450 | 29–33 |
Elmhurst College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Elmhurst offers a test optional policy. Students who choose to apply TO will be required to submit an essay. | 3762 | 71.29% | 1010–1210 | 22–29 |
Whittier College | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Whittier College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit standardized test scores. | 5036 | 72.28% | 1050–1240 | 21–28 |
Temple University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Temple University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, home-schooled applicants, recruited student athletes, and international applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 37571 | 72.33% | 1120–1320 | 24–31 |
St. John's University (NY) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. John's University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, some international students, students applying for several specific majors, and prospective student athletes are not eligible for test optional admission. | 29059 | 72.34% | 1080–1300 | 23–29 |
Gustavus Adolphus College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Gustavus Adolphus College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3799 | 72.57% | — | 26–31 |
Albion College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Albion has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 term. | 6864 | 72.6% | 990–1230 | 19–29 |
University of Delaware | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Delaware has extended their temporary test optional policy for all students applying to the Fall 2022 term. | 33965 | 72.66% | 1170–1350 | 26–31 |
University of Illinois—Chicago | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | UIC offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 22696 | 72.7% | 1030–1260 | 21–28 |
Taylor University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Taylor University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Students who choose not to submit scores may be asked to provide more information or complete proficiency exams. | 2037 | 72.85% | 1130–1320 | 23–30 |
Drew University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Drew University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 3989 | 73.15% | 1120–1300 | 24–30 |
University of Minnesota—Twin Cities | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | University of Minnesota—Twin Cities has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2025 terms. | 35905 | 73.23% | 1320–1470 | 27–32 |
High Point University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | High Point University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students seeking some merit scholarship or those who wish to be placed in the Honors Program need to submit test scores. | 11298 | 73.76% | 1090–1260 | 22–28 |
SUNY—Geneseo | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | SUNY-Geneseo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 9103 | 73.85% | 1180–1320 | 25–30 |
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Rutgers—Newark offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 13506 | 74.09% | 1010–1170 | 18–23 |
Kalamazoo College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Kalamazoo College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3456 | 74.33% | 1150–1360 | 25–30 |
California Lutheran University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | California Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission, and test scores are required to qualify for some merit scholarships. | 5568 | 74.39% | 1070–1240 | 20–27 |
Clarkson University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Clarkson University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 6673 | 74.6% | 1160–1350 | 23–30 |
Hollins University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hollins offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 3093 | 74.72% | 1090–1330 | 25–30 |
University of Redlands | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Redlands offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4713 | 74.75% | 1100–1250 | 23–28 |
Lawrence University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Lawrence University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 2907 | 74.96% | 1230–1460 | 27–32 |
Allegheny College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Allegheny College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. However, international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4667 | 75.44% | 1140–1350 | 23–28 |
Presbyterian College (SC) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Presbyterian College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2141 | 75.48% | 1000–1230 | 19–26 |
Butler University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Butler University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants who major in Pre-Pharmacy, Health Sciences, and Healthcare and Business programs, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades, homeschooled students, and transfer applicants who have completed fewer than 20 college credits are not eligible for test optional admission. | 14592 | 75.69% | 1160–1310 | 25–30 |
John Brown University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | JBU offers a test optional admission policy. However, some international students may be required to submit scores. | 1176 | 75.77% | 1060–1260 | 23–29 |
Bradley University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Bradley University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 10109 | 75.86% | 1070–1270 | 24–30 |
College of Charleston | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | The College of Charleston has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 20484 | 76.11% | 1110–1260 | 23–29 |
Mississippi State University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Mississippi State has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 17707 | 76.12% | 1030–1280 | 21–30 |
Gonzaga University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Gonzaga University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. | 8853 | 76.15% | 1230–1378 | 27–31 |
Centre College | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Centre College has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for first year students beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year pilot period, Centre will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 2212 | 76.4% | 1130–1380 | 26–32 |
University of Rhode Island | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Rhode Island has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022 and 2023 admission cycles. | 25105 | 76.46% | 1130–1280 | 25–30 |
California State University—Los Angeles | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 31442 | 76.48% | 890–1060 | 15–20 |
University of Missouri | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | Mizzou has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2024 term. | 19966 | 76.55% | 1130–1350 | 23–30 |
Creighton University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Creighton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the nursing program and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8681 | 76.63% | 1155–1320 | 24–30 |
Adelphi University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Adelphi University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admissions cycle. | 16116 | 77% | 1080–1270 | 22–27 |
Central Michigan University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | CMU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 semester. However, homeschooled students or students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for TO admission. | 18517 | 77.08% | 1010–1223 | 20–26 |
Wheaton College (MA) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Wheaton College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, Wheaton encourages students whose first language is not English to submit their SAT or ACT scores along with the required English proficiency testing. | 3580 | 77.09% | 1180–1340 | 25–31 |
Berry College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Berry College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without standardized test scores. | 4167 | 77.2% | 1100–1270 | 24–30 |
St. Mary's College of Maryland | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Saint Mary's College of Maryland has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with non-traditional academic transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2872 | 77.33% | 1140–1330 | 26–32 |
Elon University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Elon has adopted a three-year, test optional policy for all first-year and transfer applicants, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a three-year period, Elon will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 17834 | 77.71% | 1175–1330 | 25–30 |
Ithaca College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ithaca College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 13445 | 77.73% | 1210–1330 | 27–31 |
Mercer University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Mercer University has adopted a three-year test optional policy. After Fall 2023, they will reevaluate. | 5651 | 78.16% | 1170–1330 | 25–31 |
Seton Hall University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 | Seton Hall has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2026 term. | 20830 | 78.23% | 1150–1300 | 24–29 |
Loyola University New Orleans | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | Starting with the Fall 2021 application cycle, Loyola will not require a standardized test score for its university admission application and will not consider a test score, should a student choose to submit. | 7455 | 78.27% | — | — |
Carroll College | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Carroll College requires either the SAT or ACT, however it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ unweighted GPA. Students who are homeschooled, wish to apply to Direct Entry Nursing, or wish to participate in intercollegiate atheletics are not elligible for test optional admission. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 2709 | 78.33% | 1070–1270 | 22–28 |
Northern Arizona University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Northern Arizona University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores required to receive merit-based scholarships. | 42872 | 78.35% | 1070–1260 | 19–26 |
Hanover College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Hanover College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2263 | 78.57% | 1070–1220 | 23–29 |
University of Alabama | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Bama has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 term. | 42421 | 78.9% | 1080–1370 | 21–31 |
Westmont College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Westmont College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 application cycle. | 2351 | 78.95% | 1160–1460 | 26–31 |
Baldwin Wallace University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Baldwin Wallace University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, home schooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 4250 | 79.01% | 1050–1235 | 21–27 |
University of the Pacific | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of the Pacific offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 10901 | 79.3% | 1120–1380 | 24–32 |
Willamette University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Willamette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without SAT or ACT scores. | 3680 | 79.38% | 1200–1400 | 32–35 |
Lewis & Clark College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Lewis and Clark offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Prior to the 2020-21 admission cycle, students who chose not to submit standardized test scores had to submit an academic portfolio in lieu of scores. However, students will no longer be required to submit a portfolio. | 5519 | 79.45% | 1250–1410 | 27–32 |
Appalachian State University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 18178 | 79.51% | 1180–1220 | 22–27 |
University of Colorado—Boulder | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Colorado—Boulder offers a test optional admission policy. | 54756 | 79.58% | 1180–1380 | 25–31 |
University of North Carolina—Charlotte | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 20365 | 79.6% | 1140–1300 | 21–26 |
Indiana University—Bloomington | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Indiana University—Bloomington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems are not eligible for test optional admission. | 46000 | 80% | 1200–1400 | 27–32 |
University of North Georgia | Yes* | 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. However, students applying to UNG with a 3.0+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 7748 | 80.24% | 1050–1220 | 20–26 |
University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | UTRGV has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 12097 | 80.41% | 950–1120 | 17–22 |
University of Dayton | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Dayton offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 17262 | 80.63% | 1130–1350 | 22–29 |
Cornell College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Cornell College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. Students who apply test optional are expected to respond to two additional written prompts on their applications, and to submit portfolios. | 2836 | 81.1% | 1130–1380 | 24–30 |
University of Portland | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Portland has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 12044 | 81.19% | 1160–1360 | 26–31 |
Illinois State | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Illinois State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. | 15487 | 81.31% | 1030–1210 | 21–26 |
University of Idaho | Yes* | 2021, 2022 | The University of Idahos requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, Fall 2022 applicants may apply test-optional with a 2.6+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9814 | 81.38% | 1000–1210 | 20–28 |
St. Mary's College (IN) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Saint Mary's College has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and international students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2411 | 81.5% | 1065–1250 | 22–28 |
Kennesaw State University | Yes* | 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. However, students applying to Kennesaw State with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 20806 | 81.59% | 1060–1240 | 20–26 |
West Virginia University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | WVU has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 18639 | 81.61% | 1050–1240 | 21–27 |
University of Alaska, Anchorage | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Alaska, Anchorage offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4352 | 81.87% | 1020–1220 | 17–24 |
University of Mary Washington | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Mary Washington offers a test optional policy, which allows students to petition to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students applying for the Pre-Nursing Program or merit based scholarships and homeschooled students are not eligible for test choice. | 5042 | 81.95% | 1140–1320 | 26–31 |
Seattle University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Seattle University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not elligible for test optional admission. | 8539 | 82.12% | 1120–1320 | 24–31 |
Goucher College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Goucher College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 2724 | 82.34% | 1133–1333 | 26–30 |
Quinnipiac University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Quinnipiac University offers a test optional policy, which allows most students applying to the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Business, School of Communications and School of Engineering to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. Homeschooled students and students playing a Division I sport must provide test scores. | 19787 | 82.43% | 1080–1250 | 22–27 |
Simmons University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Simmons University offers a test optional policy. | 2905 | 82.55% | 1080–1250 | 24–29 |
Drexel University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Drexel has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 34519 | 82.63% | 1210–1400 | 26–32 |
University of Arkansas—Fayetteville | Yes* | 2021, 2022, 2023 | The University of Arkansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. Fall 2023 applicants with a 3.2+ GPA may apply test optional, however, they are required to submit scores for enrollment. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 21462 | 82.67% | 1050–1210 | 21–28 |
Ursinus College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ursinus College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admissions without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants and applicants with narrative-style transcripts are not eligible for test optional admission. | 3818 | 82.71% | 1200–1350 | 27–32 |
Western Michigan University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | WMU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 18853 | 82.81% | 1000–1200 | 21–27 |
Siena College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Siena College offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants must meet certain academic requirements to apply test optional. Additionally, applicants to select programs are not eligible for test optional admission. | 8597 | 82.83% | 1150–1300 | 26–30 |
University of Texas—Arlington | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Texas, Arlington has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 12650 | 82.89% | 1040–1250 | 20–27 |
University of Washington—Bothell | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Washington—Bothell offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 4423 | 83.02% | 1028–1283 | 19–31 |
Boise State | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | Boise State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who attend non-accredited high schools are required to submit test scores. | 15648 | 83.13% | — | — |
University of St. Thomas (MN) | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of St. Thomas offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 6718 | 83.16% | 1160–1350 | 24–29 |
Michigan State University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Michigan State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 50630 | 83.25% | 1110–1310 | 23–29 |
University of Nevada—Las Vegas | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | UNLV requires either the SAT or ACT, however, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 13034 | 83.47% | 990–1200 | 18–25 |
University of Akron | Yes | 2021, 2022 | The University of Akron has extended their temporary test optional for the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 11760 | 83.56% | 950–1190 | 18–26 |
Oregon State University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Oregon State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 15786 | 83.59% | 1080–1320 | 21–28 |
Point Loma Nazarene University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | PLNU does not require an SAT or ACT score for admission. Some merit aid at PLNU does still require a test score to be awarded. | 3060 | 83.66% | 1190–1340 | 22–30 |
Washington and Jefferson College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Washington and Jefferson College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 3150 | 83.68% | 1040–1290 | 21–31 |
Mills College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Mills College offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students who graduate from schools without traditional grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 848 | 83.84% | — | — |
University of Utah | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University of Utah has extended their test optional policy to students applying through Fall 2024. However, students who have GEDs, who attend a non-accredited high school, or who are applying for direct admission into select programs are not eligible for TO. Test scores are also required for merit scholarships. | 20644 | 84% | 1190–1380 | 22–30 |
Xavier University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Xavier University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without test scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 15199 | 84.02% | 1100–1290 | 22–28 |
San Francisco State University | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 31430 | 84.09% | 940–1130 | 16–23 |
Samford University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Samford University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2023 term. | 3867 | 84.1% | 1060–1230 | 23–29 |
Loyola University Maryland | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Loyola University Maryland offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9286 | 84.21% | 1170–1350 | 27–30 |
University of North Texas | Yes* | 2021, 2022 | University of North Texas requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 21308 | 84.35% | 1050–1230 | 19–26 |
San Jose State University | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 30442 | 84.37% | 1030–1310 | 20–31 |
Eastern Michigan University | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Eastern Michigan University has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 17506 | 84.61% | 950–1180 | 18–25 |
University of Cincinnati | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University of Cincinnati has extended its temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. However, standardized test scores are still required for admission into some programs. | 25949 | 84.93% | 1160–1340 | 24–29 |
University of Oklahoma | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | University of Oklahoma has adopted a five-year test optional policy beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. Test scores are encouraged for scholarship consideration. | 17318 | 85.23% | 1150–1330 | 23–29 |
California State University—Chico | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 19990 | 85.32% | 985–1180 | 18–24 |
The Catholic University of America | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Catholic University of America has adopted a test free policy, which means they will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission. | 5668 | 85.36% | 1130–1330 | 24–29 |
Missouri University of Science & Technology | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Missouri S&T has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 5533 | 85.4% | 1330–1420 | 26–32 |
Michigan Technological University | Yes* | 2021, 2022 | Michigan Technological University has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. However, homeschooled students and students with a GPA below 3.0 may be asked to submit test scores. | 8041 | 85.75% | 1138–1320 | 25–31 |
Washington State University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | WSU offers a test free policy, which means they do not consider SAT/ACT scores as part of the admissions process. | 18197 | 85.77% | 1020–1240 | 18–25 |
St. Michael's College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | St. Michael's College has a test-optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled applicants are not eligible for test optional admission. | 2359 | 85.88% | 1140–1300 | 26–28 |
University of Iowa | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Iowa is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 22434 | 86.21% | 1140–1330 | 22–29 |
James Madison University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | James Madison University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 21176 | 86.25% | 1150–1300 | 24–29 |
Marquette University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Marquette University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores, to both domestic and international applicants. | 16270 | 86.26% | 1200–1350 | 25–30 |
Pacific Lutheran University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Pacific Lutheran University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from schools with written evaluations rather than grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. Applicants to the nursing program, students interested in teaching, and international applicants strongly encouraged to submit scores. | 3306 | 86.3% | 1110–1290 | 23–29 |
The Citadel | Yes | 2021, 2022 | The Citadel has extended their temporary test optional polcy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. However, students educated in a non-traditional setting and those seeking to participate in sports (unless waived by the NCAA) are required to submit scores. | 2470 | 86.4% | 1090–1240 | 22–28 |
Missouri State University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Missouri State University requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9591 | 86.57% | 1060–1200 | 21–27 |
University of California—Merced | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The UC system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT/ACT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. | 27795 | 86.6% | 1140–1390 | 23–32 |
University of New Hampshire | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of New Hampshire offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, all Division 1 athletic recruits are required to submit standardized test scores. | 20150 | 86.71% | 1120–1290 | 25–31 |
Wheaton College (IL) | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Wheaton has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 1800 | 87% | 1230–1430 | 26–32 |
University of South Dakota | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | University of South Dakota requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.6+ GPA, rank in the top 50% of their class, or achieve a 3 or higher on the English Language Arts and Mathematics Smarter Balanced Assessments. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 4271 | 87.01% | 1050–1250 | 19–25 |
University of Arizona | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Arizona offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants to the UA Honors College, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Nursing, the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, and College of Engineering and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 48202 | 87.13% | 1140–1360 | 21–29 |
University of Texas—Dallas | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Texas-Dallas has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 term. | 18838 | 87.21% | 1190–1410 | 25–32 |
Kent State | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Kent State requires either the SAT or ACT. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 19881 | 87.31% | 1000–1200 | 19–25 |
Towson University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Towson offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 11616 | 87.92% | 1050–1210 | 21–26 |
Susquehanna University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Susquehanna University offers a test optional policy, which allows applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 4688 | 88.03% | 1090–1250 | 22–28 |
California State University—Northridge | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 23656 | 88.1% | — | — |
University of Mississippi | Yes* | 2021, 2022, 2023 | Ole Miss has extended their temporary test optional policy for students with a 2.0+ GPA applying in the 2022–23 admission cycle. Although they are not requiring a standardized test score for admission for the 2023–24 academic year, ACT/SAT scores are still very important for scholarships, some aid programs and for academic placement. | 16253 | 88.14% | 1020–1250 | 21–29 |
Arizona State University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | ASU requires either the SAT or ACT, however, it will waive this requirement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top 25% of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 61603 | 88.19% | — | — |
University of Puget Sound | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Puget Sound offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attend secondary schools that do not provide letter grades and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 5025 | 88.3% | 1150–1370 | 27–32 |
University of Nebraska—Lincoln | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Nebraska-Lincoln requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, it will waive this requriement for students with a 3.0+ GPA or who rank in the top half of their class. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 17775 | 88.33% | 1100–1310 | 22–28 |
Christopher Newport University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Christopher Newport University requires either the SAT or ACT, however they will waive this requirement for students with a 3.5+ GPA or who rank in the top 10% of their class. For students applying in the 2020-21 admission cycle, there is no minimum GPA for test optional admission. | 6699 | 88.54% | 1110–1210 | 25–27 |
Ohio University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Ohio University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. | 21733 | 88.55% | 1070–1290 | 22–27 |
Miami University—Oxford | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 | Miami Ohio has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 29990 | 88.6% | 1180–1350 | 24–30 |
University of North Dakota | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of North Dakota offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. | 5962 | 89.03% | 1120–1265 | 20–26 |
Colorado State University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Colorado State University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 31586 | 89.64% | 1090–1280 | 23–29 |
Transylvania University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Transylvania University has a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without submitting SAT or ACT scores. However, test optional applicants are strongly encouraged to visit the Transylvania campus for an in-depth interview. | 1782 | 89.73% | 1080–1350 | 23–30 |
George Mason University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | George Mason University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who major in computer science and engineering majors, home-schooled applicants, and students seeking to become a member of one of George Mason's NCAA intercollegiate athletics teams are not eligible for test optional admission. The Volgenau School of Engineering entering classes of 2020 and 2021 are exempt from the 550 SAT Math/24 ACT Math requirement. | 20527 | 90.42% | 1150–1340 | 25–30 |
University of Texas, San Antonio | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Texas, San Antonio has extended their temporary test optional policy to Fall 2023. | 21726 | 90.5% | 1030–1220 | 18–26 |
Georgia Southern University | Yes* | 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University System of Georgia has announced that all institutions will resume test score admission requirements beginning with the Spring semester of 2022. Any student applying to a University System of Georgia school in 2022 and beyond will have to submit an SAT or ACT test score. However, students applying to Georgia Southern with a 3.2+ GPA may be considered without scores. | 18701 | 90.55% | 1010–1190 | 18–24 |
Montclair State | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Montclair State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 18691 | 90.75% | 1010–1205 | — |
University of North Carolina—Greensboro | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 10696 | 90.83% | 1100–1235 | 21–26 |
Utah State | Yes | 2021, 2022 | USU has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester.. | 15276 | 90.95% | 1050–1310 | 21–28 |
California State University—San Bernardino | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 13057 | 90.97% | 850–1030 | 14–20 |
Humboldt State University | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 7025 | 91.07% | 1023–1258 | 22–29 |
Iowa State University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Iowa State is test optional, which means eligible students can apply for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 20357 | 91.12% | 1100–1320 | 21–28 |
Stetson University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Stetson University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9260 | 91.64% | 1010–1230 | 20–26 |
College of St. Benedict | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The College of Saint Benedict offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students, students who attend schools with nontraditional grading systems, and applicants to the Nursing Early Admission Program are not eligible for test optional admission. | 1704 | 91.84% | 1040–1255 | 21–27 |
Duquesne University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Duquesne offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. | 9634 | 91.93% | 1160–1290 | 24–29 |
Loyola University Chicago | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Loyola University Chicago offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without standardized test scores. However, students applying for admission to the Bachelor of Nursing and Engineering Science programs will still be required to submit a self-reported test score as part of the requirement for review. | 31597 | 92.15% | 1180–1350 | 27–32 |
Hope College | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Hope College has extended their temporary test optional policy to the 2021–22 admission cycle. | 4172 | 92.38% | 1120–1330 | 25–32 |
University of Kansas | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Kansas requires either the SAT or the ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.4+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 15275 | 92.5% | 1090–1320 | 21–29 |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Virginia Commonwealth University offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply without SAT or ACT scores. However, submission of test scores remains a requirement for all Guaranteed Admission Programs in the Honors College. All first-year applicants will be considered for scholarships as long as other scholarship consideration requirements are met. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 17726 | 92.71% | 1080–1300 | 20–29 |
California State University—Monterey Bay | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 10026 | 92.81% | 1018–1210 | 21–29 |
Goshen College | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Goshen offers a test optional policy, which allows students to apply for admission without SAT/AC scores. | 979 | 92.85% | 1000–1288 | 21–31 |
Valparaiso University | Yes | 2021, 2022 | Valparaiso has adopted a two-year test optional policy. They will reevaluate their policy after the 2022 admission cycle. | 6095 | 93.17% | — | — |
University of Oregon | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | The University of Oregon offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, applicants from nonaccredited schools and homeschooled students are not eligible for test optional admission. | 31558 | 93.42% | 1120–1330 | 22–30 |
California State University—Sacramento | Yes (TF) | All / Permanent Policy | The Cal State system offers a test free policy, meaning they will not consider SAT or ACT scores in the admissions process. | 22653 | 93.75% | 880–1100 | 16–24 |
East Carolina | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The UNC System has reinstated their temporary test optional policy through Fall 2024. | 21898 | 93.93% | 1000–1200 | 17–23 |
University of Montana | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Montana offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT/ACT scores. | 4910 | 93.97% | 1055–1245 | 20–26 |
University of Kentucky | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | UK has extended their temporary test optional policy to students entering in the 2024–25 school year. | 21695 | 94.01% | 1080–1310 | 22–29 |
University of Memphis | Yes | 2021, 2022 | UM has extended their temporary test optional policy to the Fall 2022 semester. | 14914 | 95.21% | — | — |
Kansas State University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Kansas State requires either the SAT or ACT. However, they will waive the requirement for students with a 3.25+ GPA. It does not require the optional ACT Writing Test. | 9822 | 95.61% | — | 20–26 |
Old Dominion University | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | ODU offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, not all applicants may be eligible for test optional admission. Please check with the university. | 13586 | 96.23% | 1020–1220 | 20–27 |
University of Maine | Yes | 2021, 2022 | University of Maine has adopted a two-year, test optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants, beginning with the 2020-21 admission cycle. After a two-year period, UM will re-evaluate whether to continue the test optional policy indefinitely or reinstate a testing requirement for admission. | 14344 | 96.46% | 1080–1270 | 22–30 |
University of Toledo | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | University of Toledo offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, homeschooled students and students whose high schools do not provide grades are not eligible for test optional admission. | 9893 | 96.52% | 1050–1280 | 21–28 |
University of Wyoming | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023 | University of Wyoming has extended it's temporary test optional policy to the 2022–23 admission cycle. | 5645 | 96.78% | 1070–1270 | 21–27 |
University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee | Yes | 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 | The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee has extended its temporary test optional policy to the 2024–25 admission cycle. | 13242 | 97.53% | — | — |
Portland State | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | Portland State offers a test optional policy, which allows students to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, students who attended homeschool, or a non-accredited, non-standard high school are required to submit test scores. | 6862 | 98.43% | 1010–1270 | 17–26 |
Western Kentucky | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | WKU requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who have a 2.5+ GPA. | 7255 | 98.48% | 950–1150 | 19–25 |
University of Texas—El Paso | Yes* | All / Permanent Policy | UTEP requires either the SAT or ACT. However, it will waive this requirement for students who rank in the top 10% of their class. | 10972 | 99.99% | 900–1110 | 17–22 |
Weber State | Yes | All / Permanent Policy | Weber State University offers a test optional policy, which allows first-year applicants to be considered for admission without SAT or ACT scores. However, scores are recommended to help determine scholarship eligibility and Math & English placement. | 6861 | 100% | — | 18–25 |
Hi Margaux,
I am writing from Austin, Texas and this question is a bit off-topic; however, I do not know where else to post it. Our son wants to attend Swarthmore College. We (parents) have never heard of it, but Swarthmore does appear to have a pretty low acceptance rate according to your table. Would you consider this college on par, in terms of quality of undergraduate education, with some of the more well-known institutions? He is not entirely sure what he wants to do in life; for now, he has a demonstrated interest in economics and political science. He is considering law school at some point. Thank you for your time.
Hi Enco,
Thanks for reaching out. Swarthmore is an excellent school! There’s no shortage of articles, lists, and national rankings out there that will confirm that. But colleges are so much more than their rank or reputation! We find that students get the most out of their higher education experience when they are in an environment they love. In addition to academics, the institution’s size, culture, sports program, campus social life, and even geographic location (a Philly winter might come as a shock to someone from Austin!) are all factors that may affect a student’s happiness and long-term success. My point is: the “best” school out there is the one that’s the best fit for your son. And if he’s telling you he wants to go to Swarthmore, then it’s certainly worth considering! Talk as a family about why the school appeals to him and, if you’re able, I’d recommend a campus visit.
Do test optional schools provide any general guidance of whether a student should provide mediocre test scores rather than not submit them? In this respect mediocre would be defined as being near the bottom 25% of scores accepted for the previously reported year?
Hi Kristin,
Great question! Most schools offer some version of the following as guidance: “Applicants are encouraged to submit test scores if they believe those scores accurately and positively reflect their academic abilities.”
Nice day Mr. Sawyer, sorry to bother you, I’m currently studying at an international school, where the language of education is English. The main goal of our school is to prepare students for the exam of “Cambridge AS&A Level programme” . I want to get A level from Math, and I haven’t time for SAT, Can I go to USA university with my A level, but without SAT? And there are any kind of difference between A level from Math and SAT for USA universities? How kind of chance I have with my A level from math? Thanks for answer.
Hi Abdurakhmon,
Many colleges and universities have extended their SAT/ACT optional policies to international students (but require proof of English language proficiency). We’ve found that many schools treat A-Levels more similarly to Advanced Placement Exams than SAT/ACTs. Schools will consider performance on A-Level exams and often offer credit for courses taken. Check out our blog post about how colleges and universities use AP Exam scores; many AP policies mention A-Levels: https://www.compassprep.com/how-colleges-use-ap-scores/
University of Miami test-optional through Fall 2023.
https://admissions.miami.edu/undergraduate/application-process/admission-requirements/test-optional-admissions/index.html
Thanks for letting us know! We’ve updated the table.
Thank you for this resource. I presume that the score ranges listed are based on enrolled students’ SAT superscores (versus specific test date scores), for those colleges that allow superscores. Can you please confirm this? Thanks.
Hi Teez,
The data in the table is mostly taken from the schools’ Common Data Sets. Some schools report a composite 25th-75th percentile, and that’s what we have listed here. Some only report Math and Verbal separately, and in those cases we add the scores together.
I scored a 36,35,35,35 which gives me a composite of 35. I also understand that 35,35,34,34 gives a composite score of 35. Do colleges view my 35 the same as the person with a lesser 35 (but that is still a great score)
Hi Rachel, thanks for reaching out! Admissions officers review the subsection scores in addition to the composite scores.
Fordham test-optional through Fall 2023
Thanks for letting us know about Fordham’s extension, Beth! We’ve updated the table.
Hi Art ,
This question is a little off-topic, but I do not know where else to post it. I am trying to figure out what percentage of deferred students are accepted during regular decision at Cornell U. My son found out today he was not accepted or denied at Cornell U (class of 2026). He applied ED I to Cornell. When I searched the Internet, this is what I found:
“In Cornell’s Early Decision round, 4,882 students applied and 1,340 were offered admission, leading to an admit rate of 27.4%. Another 23.6% of applicants were deferred into the Regular Decision pool.” I believe this means about 49% of ED applicants were rejected. However, of the deferred students, how many were accepted during RD (in the past)? That’s hard to find. Can someone please point me in the right direction? Thank you!
PJ,
AFAIK, few schools give visibility to that percentage. In cases that I’ve seen, the acceptance rate of deferred students during RD is roughly similar to RD applicants during RD. This makes some sense intuitively. A deferred student is strong enough not to be rejected during ED but doesn’t stand out as a clear admit. A deferral means that the admission office would like to evaluate the student within the context of the overall RD pool. It never hurts to ask the college, although admission officers are buried in files at this point. Best of luck to your son.
Hi, Art! When do you expect the schools in the Ivy League to announce their testing policies for the class of ’23? Is your assumption that most will remain test optional? Thank you!
Eva,
Many colleges don’t update their policies for future class years until they’ve finished admitting the current class. It’s hard to make policy decisions when you’re in the midst of reading tens of thousands of applications. I wouldn’t be surprised to see most announcements come between April and June. The Ivy League is not monolithic. Cornell, for example, has made clear that it sees a future for test optional and test free policies. Other schools don’t seem as ready to push aside testing as a part of holistic evaluation. I think we’re likely to see some Ivies shift to SAT/ACT recommended or required policies, since test availability is no longer a major obstacle. My colleague Bruce Reed writes about this in a current post on testing trends.
Thank you very much, Art! I appreciate this information.
Hi Mr. Sawyer. I am confused as to whether I should send my SAT scores to Bucknell or go SAT optional. My SAT score is 1310 and I am going to be applying for financial aid.
Sab,
There are a number of factors to be considered. I would ask Bucknell if the SAT is used for financial aid or merit scholarship decisions. If you are a recruited athlete, a score may be necessary. Are you counting on your SAT score to counter-balance weak academic performance? Or does it undercut strong performance? The 1310 is a bit below Bucknell’s historical median, so I would lean against submitting. It’s not in a range, however, where submitting would do real damage to your application.
Is there any way to make your SAT score known to universities that seem to have a policy of not considering them? And if you can make them known, can it have a positive effect on your admissions chances. Say you want to apply to UCLA which had a SAT range from 1290-1510, and you scored a 1550. That should help, one would think. So is there a way to make that score known? Or will the UC system hold that it against you for violating their policy of a blind eye to standardized test scores?
Manisha,
UCLA is “test free” in that they will not look at SAT/ACT scores no matter how high. It is pointless to send a score report to the UC system. I would advise against any sort of workaround such as mentioning it in an essay. The UC system is not completely test free in that they will look at a student’s AP scores. You can, of course, submit your SAT score to schools that are test optional.
Hi Mr. Sawyer, If my daughter is a National Merit Semifinalist and lists the U.S. Naval Academy as her college choice on the NMSC application, will the NMSC deposit any stipend money awarded to the Naval Academy in her name? The NMSC website states that “scholarships are not payable for students’ attendance at service academies”. (My son graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and although tuition/room/board are all covered at service academies, we did have to pay $2000 to cover his personal computer to be used at USMA and the cost of his numerous uniforms was also deducted from his monthly USMA stipend. We were hoping that any NSMC stipend money would be deposited to the Naval Academy in her name so that it could be used towards these items).
JD,
NMSC is clear that its awards do not cover studies at service academies. This means that your daughter should not list the USNA as her first choice on the Finalist application. If she changed her mind about attending USNA, for example, she should want to have the option of receiving a scholarship elsewhere.
As Chicago doesn’t publish a CDS, what’s your source for 25+% of all Freshman scoring a perfect 1600 on the SAT?
Hi Steve,
Chicago publishes the incoming class’s data on their site: https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/class-2024-profile
It looks like they’re already updated for Class of 2024, and the upper range for SAT scores dropped a little bit.
For schools that only provide EBRW and Math percentiles, and not Composites, on their CDS, are you adding the numbers together to get a Composite? From schools that provide both, it’s apparent that the sum of75th percentile scores almost always exceeds the composite 75% score (by ~15 points), and the opposite at the 25th percentile.
Hi Bob,
Yes, for schools that do not supply the 25-75% composite, we add up the EBRW and Math scores. We know it’s not perfect, but it’s the best we can do in those situations!
It looks like MSOE has contradictory information. It is listed as a “No” for TO but the text says it has adopted TO for 2021.
Thank you for catching that! We have changed the “No” to “Yes”.
Georgetown comes up on this list as test-optional, but the G’town admissions site still lists the tests are required.
Hi Piotr,
It’s surprising that Georgetown hasn’t updated their main admissions page yet, but here is the link to their COVID-19 update: https://live-guwordpress-uadmissions.pantheonsite.io/covid-19-admissions-updates-for-prospective-students/
“While we will continue to consider standardized test scores as part of our holistic admissions review process, we understand that some students may be prevented from taking either the SAT or ACT due to unprecedented challenges brought about by the global COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, we will be flexible and fully consider applications from students who encounter difficulties completing standardized tests and are thus unable to provide SAT or ACT scores.”
Hi Mr. Sawyer, I am a class of 2021 in Highschool and I’ve studied and took classes for the SAT but haven’t actually taken the test. Recently though, I took 2 SAT practice tests at an SAT academy and got a score of 500 for Reading and writing and 360 for math which I acknowledge is a terrible score. I want to know if it would be better for me to not take the SAT because of the COVID 19 situation. As of now, I’m still trying hard and working on improving on my SAT. Please help me figure out what I should do. I want to go to a good college to further my studies.
Thank you for your help Mr. Sawyer.
JP,
Some of this depends on whether the option to take the SAT is even available to you. It’s hard to predict which sites will be open. Some high schools are adding dates specifically for students at their school. I would recommend trying to get an official score on record. My guess is that 90+% of the schools on your application list will be test optional by the time you apply. So why bother taking the test? As an insurance policy. If you don’t get the score you want, don’t submit it unless it’s required. If it’s required, then at least you have something to send. If the stress of studying for and taking the SAT is going to get in the way of school or applications, though, I would recommend that you pass. It sounds like your scores are not so strong that they would tip things in your favor. You’ll have a tremendous range of colleges that will consider your application, even without scores. Best of luck.
Mr. Sawyer,
My son is Class of 2021. He has an ACT composite score of 35 and two previously taken SAT subject tests – Biology M 730 his freshman year and World History 800 his sophomore year. I anticipate that most likely his subject tests may be cancelled in June. Would those two subject tests suffice for highly selective colleges as he is taking 5 AP tests this year and the subject tests will be somewhat repetitive from his AP exams (Latin & Chem were the subject tests he was going to take). He is looking at Global Studies or International Relations for majors – so no STEM.
Thanks for your insight,
Sarah
Sarah,
School closures and test cancellations have accelerated the process that was already taking place — removal of Subject Test requirements. There are no U.S. colleges requiring Subject Tests this year, and even recommendations have been watered down. So your son’s current tests will suffice. June is almost certain to be cancelled. If your son is still interested in trying improve his testing portfolio (Latin is a notoriously difficult test), hopefully a later date will be available. Given his existing scores, I don’t think it should be a priority.
The above says this was updated today, 3/25. These score ranges were presumably pulled from IPEDS, which only has class of 2022 data right now, i.e., it’s a bit old. In addition, it looks like many of the composite ranges were created by adding the section scores. Note that the 2019-2020 CDS, with class of 2023 admission data, includes a new field, an actual, accurate composite range, often narrower on one or both ends of the range than the computed composites above. While only maybe half of colleges have posted their new CDS, I am hoping that this useful the table will be updated again soon, after IPEDS rolls over to class of 2023 data in June.
Hi Bonnie,
We updated the table today with new test optional policies (many schools have announced them this week, some in response to COVID-19). We plan to update the score ranges later this spring when all of the data is available.
Best,
Margaux
Makes sense. Thank you!
Thank you for this resource.
Thank you for this resource. I presume that the score ranges listed are based on enrolled students’ SAT superscores (versus specific test date scores), for those colleges that allow superscores. Can you please confirm this? Thanks.
Bob,
The numbers are as reported by colleges in the Common Data Set. The CDS is mum on the subject of superscoring, so it is left up to the colleges. I can’t imagine why a superscoring college would want to report lower scores, but I suppose it is possible. Yes, the Common Data Set is for enrolled students.
Hi Mr. Sawyer, My daughter is applying to Duke ED this November. She is trying to decide which school within Duke ( Trinity or Pratt) to apply to. She would be thrilled to get into either. She took three subject tests ( Math 2 – 780, US History – 770, Physics – 720) and will send her SAT superscore of 1540 (770 Critical reading and 770 Math.). Based on these scores do you think one gives her a better chance of being admitted verses the other? Her sibling went to Duke’s Pratt School of engineering. Thank You!
Debbie,
I don’t consider myself knowledgable enough to make that distinction. I believe it’s more important that she make a compelling case as to why she should be admitted. Good luck!
I think there is a type on Georgia Tech’s Reading/Writing 25th percentile score. It should be 370, bringing the composite score for the 25th percentile to 1090. All of the other numbers match the school’s website.
🙂 Tanya
Tanya,
Thank you for the tip, but I think you are getting that info from a site that has the typo. I can assure you that Georgia Tech’s ERW score has never been close to 370. In the most recent year the combined 25th percentile did decline to 1350, but it was actually the Math that was lower at 680. The most accurate source is the Common Data Set published by the Institutional Research office.
Hi Mr. Sawyer. I am a masters student at SMU and I am studying the gap in access for LatinX students to higher education. I was wondering if you still had the average scores from 2016, since I am using a data set of SAT scores of students who took the test in 2015. I noticed that this article was updated this year, so I’m hoping you still have 2016 data, or if you could point me in the right direction? Thank you!
Krystyna,
I’m not confident enough that we have the data archived accurately. My recommendation would be to access the IPEDS data maintained by National Center for Education Statistics. It has the advantage of being a complete database. It has the disadvantage of being clunky to use and slow to be updated. The latter doesn’t matter in your case, and IPEDS keeps each class year separate. Good luck with your research!