Top 100 US Universities – SAT/ACT Score Requirements

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, it forced the closure of many standardized testing sites, making it difficult or impossible for students to take the SAT or ACT. In response, hundreds of colleges quickly implemented temporary test-optional policies out of necessity, allowing students to apply without submitting test scores. Several highly selective universities have recently reinstated SAT/ACT score requirements for admissions. 

Here are some of the top institutions that currently require standardized test scores:

Ivy League and Elite Universities

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT was one of the first elite universities to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements after temporarily going test-optional during the pandemic.

Yale University

Yale now requires applicants to submit SAT, ACT, or AP/IB scores as part of the admissions process.

Brown University

Brown has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for admission.

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth also requires students to submit SAT or ACT scores with their application.

Other Selective Institutions

Georgetown University

Georgetown not only requires SAT/ACT scores but also asks applicants to submit scores from all test sittings.

University of Texas at Austin

UT Austin recently joined the list of schools requiring standardized test scores for fall 2024 admissions.

Upcoming Changes

Several other highly selective universities have announced plans to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements in the near future:

• Harvard University (for Fall 2025 enrollment)

• Stanford University (for Fall 2026 enrollment)

• California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (for Fall 2025 enrollment)

• University of Wisconsin-Madison (for Fall 2028 enrollment)

• Vanderbilt University (for Fall 2028 enrollment)

Reasons Universities Are Reinstating Test Requirements

Universities cite two main reasons for bringing back SAT/ACT requirements:

1. Predictive value: Test scores are seen as strong predictors of first-year college performance and academic success.

2. Contextual evaluation: Standardized test scores help admissions officers evaluate applicants in the context of their high school environment and can highlight academic strengths.

It’s important to note that testing policies can change frequently. Prospective students should always check the most current requirements on each university’s official website before applying. 

The Top 100 US University Score Ranges

University	SAT EBRW Mid 50%	ACT Comp Mid 50%	ACT Composite	SAT Math Mid 50%
Boston College	710 – 760	33 – 34	34	720 – 780
Brandeis University	680 – 750	31 – 34	33	690 – 770
Brown University	730 – 780	34 – 36	35	760 – 800
Carnegie Mellon University	730 – 770	34 – 35	35	770 – 800
Case Western Reserve University	680 – 750	32 – 35	33	730 – 790
Claremont McKenna College	710 – 760	33 – 35	34	730 – 790
College of William and Mary	695 – 750	32 – 34	33	680 – 770
Columbia University	730 – 780	34 – 35	35	770 – 800
Cornell University	710 – 770	33 – 35	34	750 – 800
Duke University	740 – 770	34 – 35	34	770 – 800
Emory University	700 – 760	32 – 34	33	730 – 790
Georgetown University	700 – 770	32 – 34	33	690 – 780
Georgia Institute of Technology	670 – 760	31 – 35	32	700 – 790
Harvard University	740 – 780	34 – 36	35	760 – 800
Harvey Mudd College	720 – 770	34 – 36	35	760 – 790
Johns Hopkins University	750 – 780	34 – 35	35	780 – 800
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	730 – 780	35 – 36	35	790 – 800
New York University	720 – 770	33 – 35	34	760 – 800
Northeastern University	700 – 760	33 – 35	34	740 – 790
Northwestern University	730 – 770	33 – 35	34	760 – 790
Princeton University	740 – 780	34 – 35	34	760 – 800
Rice University	730 – 770	34 – 36	35	770 – 800
Stanford University	730 – 780	33 – 35	35	770 – 800
The University of Chicago	740 – 770	34 – 35	35	770 – 800
Tufts University	710 – 760	33 – 35	34	750 – 790
University of Michigan — Ann Arbor	670 – 750	31 – 34	33	680 – 780
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	670 – 750	28 – 34	31	670 – 780
University of Notre Dame	700 – 760	32 – 35	33	720 – 790
University of Pennsylvania	730 – 770	34 – 35	35	770 – 800
University of Virginia	700 – 750	32 – 34	33	710 – 780
Vanderbilt University	730 – 770	34 – 35	35	760 – 800
Wake Forest University	690 – 740	31 – 34	33	700 – 770
Washington University in St. Louis	730 – 770	33 – 35	34	770 – 800
Yale University	740 – 780	33 – 35	34	760 – 800
Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey — New Brunswick	630 – 720	28 – 33	31	640 – 760
The University of Texas at Austin	620 – 730	29 – 34	29	610 – 770
University of Florida	650 – 730	28 – 33	31	650 – 750
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	660 – 740	30 – 34	31	680 – 790
University of Southern California	710 – 760	32 – 35	32	740 – 790
University of Wisconsin — Madison	660 – 730	28 – 33	29	690 – 780
Boston University	660 – 730	31 – 34	32	690 – 770
University of Washington, Seattle	640 – 740	29 – 34	32	660 – 780

With so many top universities to consider, having access to reliable, in-depth information can simplify your search. Explore detailed University Profiles to learn more about each school’s unique offerings, campus life, and admissions requirements.

US universities adopted test-optional policies during and after the pandemic for several key reasons:

Equity Considerations

As test-optional policies expanded, many universities began to see them as a way to increase diversity and equity in admissions. Research has shown that standardized test scores can disadvantage certain groups of students, including:

• Those whose first language isn’t English

• First-generation college students

• Black and Hispanic students

• Students from low-income families who can’t afford expensive test prep

By making tests optional, schools hoped to encourage more diverse applicants to apply.

Positive Initial Results

Many universities saw immediate positive effects after going test-optional:

• Application numbers surged, especially at selective schools1

• Applicant pools became more diverse

Early research showed students admitted without test scores performed about as well academically as those who submitted scores

These encouraging results led many schools to extend their temporary policies.

Ongoing Evaluation

While some universities have made test-optional policies permanent, many are still studying the long-term impacts. They are analyzing data on:

• Academic performance of students admitted without scores

• Changes in the diversity of applicant pools and enrolled classes

• Any unintended consequences of the policies

Whether schools remain test-optional or reinstate requirements, having a strategy customized to your strengths is key. If you’re unsure where to begin, the team at Opus is ready to help — simply reach out via the Contact Form to schedule a consultation and get expert advice tailored to your goals.

Current Landscape

As of 2024, the admissions landscape remains in flux:

• Over 1,800 four-year colleges are now test-optional1

• Some highly selective schools like MIT have reinstated testing requirements

• Many universities are still deciding whether to make test-optional policies permanent

The debate over standardized testing in admissions continues, with schools weighing the potential benefits of increased diversity against concerns about predicting academic success.

Navigating the evolving admissions landscape can feel overwhelming, especially with changing test policies and fierce competition. That’s where expert guidance can make a difference. Opus College Prep’s Admissions Counseling provides personalized support to help students build standout applications, identify best-fit schools, and confidently approach every part of the process.