Complete List of Colleges That Require SAT or ACT Scores for Admissions
Many colleges—including privates, publics, and state higher ed systems—reinstated their test score requirements this year, showing colleges continue to value the SAT as part of their admissions processes after experimenting with test-optional policies during the pandemic. As you get ready for the college application process, it's important to know which schools require test scores for all applicants. Many other colleges are test optional or test preferred, meaning they may use SAT or ACT scores to make admissions decisions and award scholarships.
Here are 19 private and 35 public colleges that currently or soon will require, SAT or ACT scores for admission.
Important Notes:
- Colleges marked with an asterisk (*) will not require test scores for 2024-25 applicants. This change will begin for the 2025-26 application cycle.
- This list changes frequently, so please visit the admissions website of the colleges you’re considering to verify their test score policies.
Public Colleges That Require the SAT or ACT
This list is sorted by state and application volume.
Private Colleges That Require the SAT or ACT
This list is sorted by application volume.
| Private Colleges | Location |
| Cornell University* (For Fall 2026) | Ithaca, NY |
| Harvard College | Cambridge, MA |
| Stanford University* (For Fall 2026) | Stanford, CA |
| Brown University | Providence, RI |
| Johns Hopkins University* (For Fall 2026) | Baltimore, MD |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Cambridge, MA |
| Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH |
| Georgetown University | Washington, DC |
| California Institute of Technology (Caltech) | Pasadena, CA |
| Florida Institute of Technology | Melbourne, FL |
| Saint Augustine's University | Raleigh, NC |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR |
| College of the Ozarks | Point Lookout, MO |
| William Carey University | Hattiesburg, MS |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University | Waxahachie, TX |
| University of Tennessee Southern | Pulaski, TN |
| Gallaudet University | Washington, DC |
| Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary | Ankeny, IA |
| Thomas Aquinas College | Santa Paula, CA |
Having SAT scores will ensure you can apply to any of the colleges listed above and may help you stand out on applications to test-optional colleges as well. Register to take the SAT today.