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Top 15 Colleges and Universities That Do Not Require the SAT

Many colleges and universities have switched to “test-optional admissions,” meaning that they do not require the SAT, ACT, or any other standardized testing for admission. So, what are the top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT? Read more below in our helpful guide to find out! 

What does “test-optional” mean? 

Test-optional means the school leaves it up to the student to decide if they want to submit standardized test scores with their application. Most test-optional colleges still encourage students to submit their SAT, ACT, or other scores. Therefore, a student who sends their SAT score might be able to strengthen their application by including high scores. However, at test-optional institutions, not submitting your SAT score will not hurt your admissions chances.

What does “test-blind”or “test-refusal” mean?

Colleges and universities that are test-blind do not accept standardized test scores from applicants. A growing number of individual colleges/universities as well as entire school systems are test-blind. Both the California Institute of Technology and the entire University of California school system are test-blind, as well as certain schools within the Cornell University system. Keep in mind that some schools have a temporary moratorium on submitting test scores which may or may not change.  

Students who do not plan on submitting their test scores may have a preference for test-blind schools. That’s because at these schools, they will be on totally equal footing with other applicants in terms of tests. At test-optional schools, on the other hand, students who submit stellar test scores may receive preference over applicants who don’t submit any scores. Keep in mind that this is not always the case; each school may have its own protocol surrounding ACT/SAT scores in its admissions office.

If I have SAT scores, should I submit them?  

If you do take the SAT, you are not required to submit it to a test-optional school. Therefore, there is no true harm in taking the SAT even if you are applying to only test-optional schools. This is because if you do submit a high SAT score, it might help your application. So, not submitting test scores will not hurt your application, but you may lose out on the opportunity to make your application stronger. In addition, some scholarships, including those offered by private organizations, may require SAT scores. 

Related: How to improve your SAT score

So, how do you know if you should submit your SAT score to a test optional school? 

Submit SAT scores if:

• Your SAT score is high or near the 75th percentile of admitted students to the school
• Other aspects of your application are not that strong such as GPA, class rank, AP or IB test scores, etc.
• The school recommends submitting your SAT score if you have them

Do not submit SAT scores if: 

• Your SAT score is low or below the 50th percentile of admitted students to the school

Ultimately, you should submit your SAT score if you believe it is high enough to help you! If not, the beauty of test-optional schools is that you do not have to worry about not submitting your SAT score because it will not hurt your chances. 

How this list of top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT was created

The following list of top colleges and universities that do not require the SAT was created by researching and reviewing various ranking lists, including FairTest. Most of the colleges and universities on this list are prestigious universities that have low acceptance rates. This list is in alphabetical order and in no way reflects preference or recommendation. 

Top 15 colleges and universities that do not require the SAT 

Brown University

Brown University is an Ivy League research university located in Providence, Rhode Island. Known for its strong computer science and medicine programs, Brown allows students to design their own majors. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 8%

Columbia University

Columbia University is an Ivy League research university located in New York City, New York. A distinctive core curriculum, a highly sought-after literature department, and intimate learning environments makes Columbia a top choice for students who want to attend college in the Big Apple. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 7%

Cornell University

Cornell University is an Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York. Engineering and hotel management programs are just a few of the many prestigious academic programs at Cornell. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 11%

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is an Ivy League research university located in Hanover, New Hampshire. Competitive academics and small classes are both found on Dartmouth’s beautiful rural campus. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 9%

Duke University

Duke University is a private university located in Durham, North Carolina. WIth a stellar reputation for its academic programs, Duke also excels at high-level athletics. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 8%

Harvard University

Harvard University is an Ivy League research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. A leader in all academic subjects, Harvard is the most well-known university in the world. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 5%

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is a private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. As one of the nation’s oldest research institutions, research is continuously conducted at Johns Hopkins. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 11%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT is best known for its rigorous engineering and sciences programs. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 7%

Princeton University

Princeton University is an Ivy League university located in Princeton, New Jersey. One of the oldest universities in the United States, Princeton is renowned for its emphasis on independent research.

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 6%

Rice University

Rice University is a private research university located in Houston, Texas. Applied science and engineering programs are what Rice is most known for. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 11%

Stanford University

Stanford University is a private research university in Stanford, California. In addition to being highly ranked for its law, medicine, and engineering programs, Stanford is also known for its education schools. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 5%

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university located in Chicago, Illinois. U of Chicago is well known for its ideal city location as well as its rigorous academics. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 7%

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is a private Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. UPenn is known for its programs in business management, finance, and real estate. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 9%

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University is a private research university located in Nashville, Tennessee. Vandy offers advanced degrees in medicine, engineering, nursing, business, and much more. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 12%

Yale University

Yale University is a private Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut. Known for its strong academics and intellectual professors, Yale also has an excellent drama program. 

• Test optional: Yes
• Acceptance rate: 7%

If these top schools are not for you…

This is a list of the 15 top schools that are currently test optional. However, there are hundreds of other colleges and universities that are also test optional. Therefore, be sure to review a larger list of test optional institutions to find your perfect fit!