SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips

Test-Optional Colleges: Complete List of 900+ Schools

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SAT and ACT scores are common admission requirements for college. But what if I told you that you could get into a great school without taking either of these exams? Behold test-optional colleges. Colleges that are test optional don't require you to submit SAT or ACT scores but will consider them if submitted.

In this guide, we'll explain what "test optional" means for different schools before providing you with a comprehensive list of test-optional colleges and universities in the US. The first two lists will cover the best test-optional colleges and universities (i.e., those ranked in the top 100), and the last list will include all other test-optional colleges in the country.

Along the way, we'll also give you a few key tips on when you should and should not send your SAT/ACT test scores to schools.

Note: This article does not include schools which only went test-optional for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 admissions cycles. For a list of schools which only temporarily went test-optional due to COVID-19, check out this article.

 

What Does "Test Optional" Mean?

First things first, what exactly are test-optional colleges? At its most basic definition, test optional means that you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission to a particular school. So while you may submit test scores if you want, you are not actually required to do so.

Colleges that are test optional de-emphasize the importance of the SAT and ACT by making the tests an unnecessary component of the admission process. So if you took the SAT or ACT but didn't score as highly as you'd hoped you would, you can apply to test-optional colleges in order to avoid having to send in any unsatisfactory test scores that could potentially hurt your application.

Throughout this article, we refer to a school as being test optional if it does not outright require SAT or ACT scores from all undergraduate applicants.

That said, not all colleges and universities maintain the same policies in regard to their handling of standardized test scores. Below, we look at some of the ways test optional takes on new meanings at different schools.

 

Test Optional

Truly test-optional schools are exactly as they sound: you decide whether you'd like to submit your SAT/ACT test scores or not. In other words, you get to determine how you want to present yourself to schools.

For example, if you feel your SAT scores are subpar, you might choose to withhold your scores and instead opt for strengthening other parts of your application, such as your personal statement and resume.

Popular test-optional colleges and universities include the University of Chicago, Wake Forest University, Bowdoin College, Bucknell University, Pitzer College, and Brandeis University.

 

Test Flexible

Test-flexible schools are slightly different from regular test-optional colleges. At these schools, you may submit other test scores in place of SAT/ACT scores. Acceptable scores will vary depending on the institution, but you can generally fulfill the SAT/ACT requirement by submitting scores from  AP tests, IB tests, and/or school-administered placement tests.

Test flexible schools used to be more common before the pandemic, but now many of those schools have switched to a test optional policy. Currently, NYU is the only well-known test flexible school (and they are currently test optional due to the pandemic).

 

Class Rank/GPA Substitution

At some schools, you may forego sending in your SAT/ACT scores only if you meet your school's minimum required GPA or class rank. If you meet these requirements, you will be automatically admitted. If you do not meet these minimum requirements, however, you must then apply as you normally would and submit your SAT/ACT scores with your application.

Specific requirements vary, but you'll typically need at least a ranking in the top 10% or a 3.5 unweighted GPA.

 

Test Blind

The final type of test-optional college is a test-blind college. With this policy, SAT/ACT test scores are not considered during the admission process, even if you include them in your application.

Test-blind schools include the University of California schools (at least through 2025), Hampshire College, and Washington State University. The number of test-blind schools is growing; however, it's still a very rare policy.

 

These are the four main types of test-optional policies you'll see in schools around the US. Now, let's take a look at which top-tier schools presently have test-optional policies.

 

Best Test-Optional Colleges and Universities

Though the vast majority of top-tier schools require SAT/ACT scores, a solid handful of them—from popular liberal arts colleges to well-known research universities—are test optional.

Below are two lists: the first shows all top-tier test-optional liberal arts colleges, and the second contains all top-tier test-optional research universities. Note that "top tier" indicates any school ranked in the top 100 spots nationally (according to the 2023 best national liberal arts colleges and best national universities lists in US News).

We encourage you to skim the lists to see whether there are any schools that might interest you. Each test-optional colleges list is arranged alphabetically, and you can use the ctrl + F function to look for specific schools.

Remember that since schools' test-optional policies can vary significantly, it's a good idea to check with schools directly to learn more about their individual SAT/ACT score policies.

 

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The entrance to Pitzer College. (CampusGrotto/Flickr)

 

Best Test-Optional Liberal Arts Colleges

In recent years, more and more liberal arts colleges are beginning to place less emphasis on SAT/ACT test scores. As a result, many top-tier liberal arts colleges do not require standardized test scores for admission.

Agnes Scott College (GA) Knox College (IL)
Allegheny College (PA) Lawrence University (WI)
Augustana College (IL) Lewis and Clark College (OR)
Bard College (NY) Middlebury College (Test Flexible) (VT)
Bates College (ME) Mount Holyoke College (MA)
Beloit College (WI) Muhlenberg College (PA)
Bennington College (VT) Ohio Wesleyan University (OH)
Bowdoin College (ME) Pitzer College (CA)
Bryn Mawr College (PA) Saint Mary's College (IN)
Bucknell University (PA) Sarah Lawrence College (NY)
Colby College (Test Flexible) (ME) Sewanee — University of the South (TN)
College of the Atlantic (ME) Skidmore College (NY)
College of the Holy Cross (MA) Smith College (MA)
Colorado College (Test Flexible) (CO) St. John's College (MD)
Connecticut College (CT) St. John's College (NM)
Cornell College (IA) St. Lawrence University (NY)
Denison University (OH) Transylvania University (KY)
DePauw University (IN) Trinity College (CT)
Dickinson College (PA) Union College (NY)
Earlham College (IN) University of Puget Sound (WA)
Franklin and Marshall College (PA) Ursinus College (PA)
Furman University (SC) Wesleyan University (CT)
Gettysburg College (PA) Wheaton College (MA)
Gustavus Adolphus College (MN) Whitman College (WA)
Hamilton College (Test Flexible) (NY) Willamette University (OR)
Hobart and William Smith Colleges (NY) Wofford College (SC)
Kalamazoo College (MI)  

Sources: FairTest, The Washington Post

 

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Texas Memorial Stadium at UT Austin. (Wes Browning/Flickr)

 

Best Test-Optional Research Universities

Although most research universities require SAT/ACT scores, the following top-ranked universities do not require them at all. Five of the schools on this list—Wake Forest, Rochester, Brandeis, NYU, and UChicago—are also ranked among the top 40 universities nationwide!

American University (DC) University of Chicago (IL)
Brandeis University (MA) University of Delaware (DE)
Clark University (MA) University of Rochester (Test Flexible) (NY)
George Washington University (DC) University of Texas at Austin (Top 8%) (TX)
New York University (Test Flexible) (NY) Wake Forest University (NC)
Texas A&M University — College Station (Top 10%) (TX) Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)

Sources: FairTest, The Washington Post

 

Should You Submit Test Scores to Test-Optional Colleges?

If you're applying to one of the best test-optional colleges or universities listed above, you might be wondering whether you should submit your SAT/ACT test scores or not. And the answer to this question depends on a few key factors, which we explain below.

 

Submit Your SAT/ACT Scores If …

  • You got a high SAT/ACT score. If you reached (or surpassed) your goal score and are well above your school's average, submitting your test scores will definitely give you a leg up in the admission process by further emphasizing your academic potential.
  • Your school recommends submitting them. Even if the SAT/ACT is optional for a school, some schools still strongly suggest sending them in. In these cases, it's usually best to just listen to your schools and submit your test scores anyway.
  • You didn't take any SAT Subject Tests, AP tests, or IB tests (or, alternatively, didn't do well on any of them). Test-flexible schools allow you to submit other test scores in place of SAT/ACT scores. But if you didn't take any other tests or didn't do as well as you'd wanted to on them, go ahead and submit your (hopefully better) SAT/ACT scores.

 

Do NOT Submit Your SAT/ACT Scores If …

  • You got a low SAT/ACT score. If you failed to hit your goal score on test day, withhold your scores and instead focus on strengthening other key parts of your college applications. This way, your SAT/ACT scores won't end up counting against you during the admission process.
  • You did far better on your AP tests and/or IB tests than you did on the SAT/ACT. If you're applying to a test-flexible school and you performed better on your other tests than you did on the SAT/ACT, you'll get a far bigger boost to your application by submitting those scores in place of your SAT/ACT scores.
  • You meet the minimum class rank or GPA requirement for your school. If your school automatically admits students who meet a certain class rank or GPA requirement, there's no point in submitting your SAT/ACT test scores. Doing so shouldn't hinder your application, but it won't help it either!

 

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The University of Arizona in Tucson. (dmitri_66/Flickr)

 

Complete List of Additional Test-Optional Schools

Above, we gave you two lists of top-ranked test-optional colleges and universities. But what about other test-optional institutions that aren't ranked in the top 100 nationally?

In total, there are more than 900 additional test-optional colleges across the US. And we're giving you the rest of these in a handy list below!

NOTE: As a result of the coronavirus, many schools became temporarily test-optional for the 2020/2021, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 admissions cycles. This list does not include those schools, but only ones who are permanently test optional. You can see that list of schools here.

The following list of test-optional colleges is arranged both alphabetically and by state (we have also included the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.)

Since this test-optional colleges list is undeniably huge, I recommend using ctrl + F to search for schools by name or state.

 

Before you scroll the the list, it's important to be aware that I've included online test-optional colleges (under "Online") and test-optional colleges that are available in multiple locations (under "Multiple Locations"). Both school types can be found at the end of the table.

 

Alabama

Birmingham-Southern College Columbia Southern University Heritage Christian University
Huntsville Bible College Miles College Oakwood University
Selma University Stillman College Talladega College

 

Alaska

Alaska Pacific University Charter College University of Alaska — Anchorage
University of Alaska — Fairbanks University of Alaska Southeast  

 

Arizona

American Indian College of the Assemblies of God Arizona State University Bryant University
Chaparral College College of the Humanities and Sciences Collins College
Grand Canyon University International Baptist College Northern Arizona University
Prescott College University of Advancing Technology University of Arizona
Western International University    

 

Arkansas

Arkansas Baptist College Arkansas Tech University Crowley's Ridge College
University of Arkansas — Fort Smith University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences University of Arkansas — Monticello
University of the Ozarks    

 

California

Academy of Art University Alliant International University American Jewish University
American Musical and Dramatic Academy American University of Health Sciences Art Center College of Design
Azusa Pacific University Bergin University of Canine Studies Bethesda University of California
Beverly Hills Design Institute Brooks Institute California Christian College
California College California College of the Arts California Institute of the Arts
California Maritime Academy California Miramar University California National University for Advanced Studies
California State Polytechnic University — Pomona California State University — Bakersfield California State University — Channel Islands
California State University — Chico California State University — Dominguez Hills California State University — East Bay
California State University — Fresno California State University — Los Angeles California State University — Monterey Bay
California State University — Northridge California State University — Sacramento California State University — San Bernardino
California State University — San Marcos California State University — Stanislaus California University of Management and Sciences
Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science Cogswell Polytechnical College Columbia College Hollywood
Design Institute of San Diego Epic Bible College Expression College
Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Golden Gate University Grace Mission University
Horizon University Hult International Business School Humboldt State University
Humphreys College Interior Designers Institute John F. Kennedy University
John Paul the Great Catholic University King's University La Sierra University
Laguna College of Art and Design Lincoln University — Oakland Los Angeles College of Music
Marymount California University Minerva Schools at KGI Mount Sierra College
National University New School of Architecture & Design Northwestern Polytechnic University
Otis College of Art and Design Pacific States University Pacific Union College
Patten University Platt College San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco Conservatory of Music San Francisco State University (CSU) San Jose State University
Shasta Bible College Silicon Valley University Sonoma State University
Southern California Institute of Technology Southern California Seminary Stanbridge College
SUM Bible College & Theological Seminary University of Antelope Valley University of San Francisco
University of the West West Coast University Whittier College
Woodbury University Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad/West Coast Talmudical Seminary  

 

Colorado

Colorado Mountain College Colorado Technical University Denver School of Nursing
Metropolitan State College of Denver Naropa University Nazarene Bible College
Platt College Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design University of Denver

 

Connecticut

Eastern Connecticut State University Fairfield University Goodwin College
Holy Apostles College and Seminary Lincoln College of New England Mitchell College
Post University Quinnipiac University Sacred Heart University
University of Hartford University of Saint Joseph Western Connecticut State University

 

Delaware

Delaware College of Art and Design Delaware Valley University Wilmington University

 

District of Columbia

Catholic University of America Strayer University Trinity Washington University
University of the Potomac    

 

Florida

Adventist University of Health Sciences Atlantis University Beacon College
Broward College Carlos Albizu University Chipola College
City College College of Business and Technology College of Central Florida
Daytona State College Eastern Florida State College Everglades University
Flagler College Florida Career College Florida Gateway College
Florida Memorial University Florida National University Florida SouthWestern State College
Florida State College Full Sail University Gulf Coast State College
Hobe Sound Bible College Hodges University Indian River State College
Jacksonville University Jose Maria Vargas University Keiser University
Key College Lake-Sumter State College Lynn University
Miami International University of Art and Design Miami-Dade College Miami Regional University
Northwest Florida State College Palm Beach State College Pasco-Hernando State College
Pensacola State College Polk State College Ringling College of Art and Design
Rollins College Saint Johns River State College Saint Leo University
Santa Fe College Schiller International University Seminole State College
South Florida State College St. John Vianney College Seminary St. Johns River State College
St. Petersburg College St. Thomas University State College of Florida
Stetson University Talmudic University Trinity Baptist College
University of Fort Lauderdale Valencia College Warner University
Yeshiva Gedolah Rabbinical College    

 

Georgia

Art Institute of Atlanta Atlanta Metropolitan State College Bainbridge State College
Beulah Heights University Brenau University Carver College
College of Coastal Georgia Darton State College East Georgia State College
Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia Highlands College Luther Rice University
Perimeter College — Georgia State University Point University South Georgia State College
Thomas University    

 

Guam

Pacific Islands University University of Guam  

 

Hawaii

Pacific Rim Christian University University of Hawaii at Hilo University of Hawaii Maui College
University of Hawai'i – West O'ahu    

 

Idaho

Boise State University College of Idaho Idaho State University
Lewis-Clark State University Northwest Nazarene University University of Idaho

 

Illinois

American Academy of Art Christian Life College Columbia College
DePaul University East-West University Ellis University
Illinois College Kendall College Lake Forest College
McKendree University Midstate College National-Louis University
Northeastern Illinois University Robert Morris University Shimer College
St. Augustine College Telshe Yeshiva Tribeca Flashpoint College

 

Indiana

Anderson University Ball State University Calumet College of St. Joseph
DePauw University Hanover College International Business College
Manchester University Martin University University of Evansville
Vincennes University    

 

Iowa

Divine Word College Drake University Hamilton Technical College
Kaplan University Maharishi University of Management  

 

Kansas

Donnelly College Emporia State University Fort Hays State University
Friends University Haskell Indian Nations University Kansas State University
Manhattan Christian College MidAmerica Nazarene University Ottawa University
Pittsburg State University University of Kansas Washburn University
Wichita State University    

 

Kentucky

Asbury University Beckfield College Clear Creek Baptist Bible College
Lindsey Wilson College Sullivan University University of Pikeville

 

Louisiana

Grambling State University Louisiana State University Louisiana State University — Alexandria
McNeese State University New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Nicholls State University
Northwestern State University Southeastern Louisiana University Southern University – New Orleans
Southern University A&M College St. Joseph Seminary College University of Holy Cross
University of Louisiana at Lafayette University of Louisiana at Monroe University of New Orleans

 

Maine

Maine College of Art Saint Joseph's College Unity College
University of Maine at Augusta University of Maine at Farmington University of Maine at Fort Kent
University of Maine at Machias University of Maine at Presque Isle University of New England
University of Southern Maine    

 

Maryland

Goucher College Hood College Loyola University Maryland
McDaniel College Ner Israel Rabbinical College Notre Dame of Maryland University
Salisbury University University of Maryland University College Washington Adventist University
Washington College    

 

Massachusetts

American International College Anna Maria College Assumption College
Bard College at Simon's Rock Bay Path University Bay State College
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology Berklee College of Music Boston Architectural College
Boston Conservatory Bridgewater State University Cambridge College
Dean College Emerson College Emmanuel College
Endicott College Fitchburg State University Framingham State University
Hampshire College Laboure College Lasell College
Longy School of Music Massachusetts College of Art and Design Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Sciences Merrimack College Montserrat College of Art
New England Conservatory Newbury College Nichols College
Northpoint Bible College Pine Manor College Regis College
Salem State University Springfield College Stonehill College
University of Massachusetts — Boston University of Massachusetts — Lowell Wentworth Institute of Technology
Western New England University Wheelock College Worcester State University

 

Michigan

Baker College Ferris State University Finlandia University
Grace Bible College Manthano Christian College Michigan Jewish Institute
Northwestern Michigan College Robert B. Miller College Sacred Heart Major Seminary
Siena Heights University University of Michigan — Flint Walsh College
Yeshiva Beth Yehuda-Yeshiva    

 

Minnesota

Art Institutes International Minnesota Augsburg University Bemidji State University
Bethany Global University Brown College Concordia University
Dunwoody College of Technology Globe University Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamline University Metropolitan State University Minnesota Bible College
Minnesota State University Southwest Minnesota State University University of Minnesota--Crookston
University of Northwestern--St. Paul    

 

Mississippi

Alcorn State University Mississippi State University Mississippi University for Women
Mississippi Valley State University Southeastern Baptist College University of Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi    

 

Missouri

Columbia College Cox College Drury University
Evangel University Global University Goldfarb School of Nursing
Harris-Stowe State University Lester L. Cox College of Nursing and Health Science Lincoln University
Lindenwood University Logan University Maryville University of St. Louis
Missouri Southern State University Missouri Western State University Park University
Rockhurst University Southeast Missouri State University Southwest Baptist University
Stevens — The Institute of Business and Arts William Jewell College  

 

Montana

Montana State University — Billings Montana State University — Bozeman Montana State University — Northern
Montana Tech of the University of Montana Salish Kootenai College University of Montana — Missoula
University of Montana — Western    

 

Nebraska

Bellevue University Chadron State College Creighton University
Doane University Midland University Nebraska Wesleyan University
Peru State College University of Nebraska at Kearney University of Nebraska — Lincoln
University of Nebraska Omaha Wayne State College  

 

Nevada

Art Institute of Las Vegas College of Southern Nevada Great Basin College
Nevada State College University of Nevada — Las Vegas University of Nevada — Reno
Western Nevada College    

 

New Hampshire

Granite State College Keene State University New England College
New Hampshire Institute of Art Northeast Catholic College Plymouth State University
Rivier University Saint Anselm College Southern New Hampshire University
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts    

 

New Jersey

Beth Medrash Govoha Bloomfield College College of Saint Elizabeth
Drew University Eastwick College Fairleigh Dickinson University
Montclair State University Pillar College Rider University
Rowan University Saint Peter's University Stockton University
Talmudical Academy of New Jersey Thomas Edison State University William Paterson University

 

New Mexico

Institute of American Indian Arts Navajo Technical University New Mexico Highlands University
Northern New Mexico College Santa Fe University of Art and Design Southwest University of Visual Arts
University of the Southwest Western New Mexico University  

 

New York

AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts Beis Medrash Heichal Dovid Berkeley College
Beth HaMedrahs Shaarei Yosher Beth HaTalmud Rabbinical College Boricua College
Cazenovia College Central Yeshiva Tomchei Tmimim-Lebavitch College of New Rochelle — School of New Resources
College of Saint Rose College of Westchester Concordia College
Daemen College Darkei Noam Rabbinical College Davis College
Dominican College Eastman School of Music Elmira College
Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at The New School Excelsior College Fashion Institute of Technology
Five Towns College Friends World Program of Long Island University Globe Institute of Technology
Hartwick College Helene Fuld College of Nursing Hilbert College
Hofstra University Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary Houghton College
Ithaca College Jamestown Business College Juilliard School
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary Keuka College Le Moyne College
LIM College Machzikei Hadath Rabbinical College Manhattan School of Music
Manhattanville College Marist College Medgar Evers College (CUNY)
Mercy College Mesivta of Eastern Pkwy Rabbinical Seminary Mesivta Tifereth Jerusalem of America
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Seminary Metropolitan College of New York Mirrer Yeshiva
Monroe College Nazareth College New School College of Performing Arts
New York City College of Technology (CUNY) New York College of Health Professions Niagara University
Ohr HaMeir Theological Seminary Ohr Somayach-Tanenbaum Ed. Center Parsons The New School for Design
Paul Smith's College Plaza College Purchase College — SUNY
Rabbi Jacob Joseph School Rabbinical Academy Mesivta Rabbi Chaim Berlin Rabbinical College Beth Shraga
Rabbinical College Bobover Yeshiva Bnci Zion Rabbinical College Ch'san Sofer Rabbinical College of Long Island
Rabbinical College of Ohr Shimon Yisroel Rabbinical Seminary Adas Yereim Rabbinical Seminary of America
Roberts Wesleyan College Rochester University Russell Sage College (The Sage Colleges)
Sage College of Albany (The Sage Colleges) Shor Yoshuv Rabbinical College Siena College
St. John's University SUNY College of Technology — Delhi SUNY Empire State College
SUNY Potsdam Talmudical Institute of Upstate New York Talmudical Seminary Oholei Torah
Torah Temimah Talmudical Seminary Trocaire College United Talmudical Seminary
Utica College Villa Maria College Wagner College
Wells College Yeshiva and Kolel Harbotzas Torah Yeshiva D'Monsey Rabbinical College
Yeshiva Derech Chaim Yeshiva Gedolah Imrei Yosef D'Spinka Yeshiva Karlin Stolin
Yeshiva Mikdash Melech Yeshiva of Nitra Yeshiva of the Telshe Alumni
Yeshiva Shaar HaTorah Talmudic Yeshiva Shaarei Torah of Rockland Yeshiva Viznitz
Yeshivas Novominsk Yeshivath Zichron Moshe  

 

North Carolina

Apex School of Theology Barber-Scotia Belmont Abbey College
Bennett College Brevard College Carolina Christian College
Catawba College Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Grace College of Divinity
Guilford College Heritage Bible College High Point University
Laurel University Lees-McRae College Living Arts College
New Life Theological Seminary Pfeiffer University Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Warren Wilson College    

 

North Dakota

Bismarck State College Dickinson State University Mayville State University
Minot State University Turtle Mountain Community College United Tribes Technical College
Valley City State University    

 

Ohio

Antioch University — Midwest Baldwin-Wallace University Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
Cleveland Institute of Music Columbus College of Art & Design Franklin University
God's Bible School and College Hiram College Lake Erie College
Mercy College of Ohio North Coast College Ohio Dominican University
Ohio Mid-Western College Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (Ohio State ATI) Ohio State University at Lima
Ohio State University at Mansfield Ohio State University at Marion Ohio State University at Newark
Ohio University — Lancaster Campus Ohio University — Chillicothe Campus Ohio University — Eastern Campus
Ohio University — Southern Campus at Ironton Ohio University — Zaneville Campus Rabbinical College of Telshe
Shawnee State University Tiffin University Tri-State Bible College
University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College University of Northwestern Ohio University of Rio Grande
University of Toledo Walsh University Wilberforce University
Wittenberg University Wright State University  

 

Oklahoma

Cameron University East Central University Family of Faith College
Langston University Mid-America Christian University Northeastern State University
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Oklahoma Panhandle State University Oklahoma State University (Oklahoma City)
Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) Oklahoma Wesleyan University Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Southwestern Christian University Southwestern Oklahoma State University Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology
University of Central Oklahoma University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma  

 

Oregon

Eastern Oregon University Mount Angel Seminary Multnomah University
New Hope Christian College Oregon College of Art & Craft Oregon Institute of Technology
Oregon State University — Cascades Campus Pacific Northwest College of Art Pioneer Pacific College
Portland State University Western Oregon University Willamette University

 

Pennsylvania

Albright College Cabrini University Central Penn College
Chatham University Curtis Institute of Music DeSales University
Drexel University (Test Flexible) Duquesne University East Stroudsburg University
Eastern University Elizabethtown College Gettysburg College
Gratz College Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Hussian College
Immaculata University Juniata College Keystone College
King's College La Salle University Lebanon Valley College
Lycoming College Mercyhurst University Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Moore College of Art & Design Muhlenberg College Peirce College
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Pennsylvania College of Technology
Pittsburgh Technical College Point Park University Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College
Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary Saint Joseph's University Seton Hill University
Susquehanna University Talmudical Yeshiva of Philadelphia Temple University
University of the Arts University of Scranton University of Valley Forge
Walnut Hill College Washington & Jefferson College Wilson College
Yeshiva Beth Moshe    

 

Puerto Rico

American University of Puerto Rico Atlantic University College Bayamon Central University
Caribbean University Columbia Centro Universitario Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico
EDP University of Puerto Rico Escuela de Artes Plasticas de Puerto Rico Inter American University of Puerto Rico
National University College Turabo University Universidad Adventista de las Antillas
Universidad del Este    

 

Rhode Island

Bryant University New England Institute of Technology Providence College
Rhode Island School of Design Roger Williams University Salve Regina University

 

South Carolina

Allen University Benedict College Clinton College
Columbia College Furman University Morris College
Presbyterian College Voorhees College  

 

South Dakota

Black Hills State University Dakota State University Northern State University
Oglala Lakota College Presentation College Sinte Gleska University
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology South Dakota State University University of South Dakota

 

Tennessee

American Baptist College East Tennessee State University King University
Martin Methodist College Middle Tennessee State University South College
Welch College    

 

Texas

Amberton University Angelo State University Arlington Baptist College
Art Institute of Dallas Art Institute of Houston Austin College
Baptist Missionary Ass'n Theological Seminary Baptist University of the Americas Brazosport College
College of Biblical Studies Criswell College East Texas Baptist University
Gemini School of Visual Arts Hallmark University Lamar University
Messenger College Midwestern State University North American University
Parker University Paul Quinn College Prairie View A&M University
Sam Houston State University South Texas College Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
Southwestern Christian College St. Edward's University Sul Ross State University
Tarleton State University Texas A&M International University Texas A&M University — Texarkana
Texas A&M University — Commerce Texas A&M University — Corpus Christi Texas A&M University — Galveston
Texas A&M University — Kingsville Texas College Texas Southern University
Texas State University — San Marcos Texas Tech University Texas Woman's University
University of Houston — Clear Lake University of Houston — Downtown University of Houston — Victoria
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of North Texas University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Dallas (Top 10%) University of Texas at El Paso University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Texas at Tyler University of Texas of the Permian Basin University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Wade College West Texas A&M University Wiley College

 

Utah

Broadview University Dixie State University Neumont University
Stevens-Henager College Utah Valley University Weber State University
Western Governors University    

 

Vermont

College of St. Joseph in Vermont Goddard College Green Mountain College
Landmark College Marlboro College Northern Vermont University — Johnson
Northern Vermont University — Lyndon Norwich University Saint Michael's College
Southern Vermont College Sterling College Vermont Technical College
Woodbury Institute of Champlain College    

 

Virgin Islands

University of the Virgin Islands — St. Croix University of the Virgin Islands — St. Thomas  

 

Virginia

Bluefield College Christopher Newport University College of Health Sciences
George Mason University Hampton University Hollins University
James Madison University Jefferson College of Health Sciences Marymount University
National Business College Old Dominion University Radford University
Randolph-Macon College University of Management and Technology University of Mary Washington
Virginia Baptist College Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia State University
Virginia University of Lynchburg Virginia Wesleyan College  

 

Wyoming

University of Wyoming

 

Washington

Bellevue College Central Washington University City University
Columbia Basin College Cornish College of the Arts Eastern Washington University
Evergreen State College Green River College Heritage University
Lake Washington Institute of Technology North Seattle College Northwest College of Art & Design
Northwest Indian College Olympic College Pacific Lutheran University
Peninsula College Saint Martin's University Seattle Central College
Seattle Pacific University Seattle University South Seattle College
Walla Walla University Washington State University (Top 10%) Whitworth University

 

West Virginia

American Military University Bluefield State College Glenville State College
Salem International University West Liberty University West Virginia University at Parkersburg
West Virginia University Institute of Technology    

 

Wisconsin

Carthage College Marian University Marquette University
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Northland College Ripon College

 

Wyoming

No test-optional schools

 

Online

Ambridge University American Public University System American Sentinel University
Amridge University Andrew University Anthem College
Ashford University Aspen University Brandman University
California Coast University California Intercontinental University Carrington College
Dunlap-Stone University Florida Tech Fremont College
Grantham University Harrison Middleton University Huntington College of Health Sciences
Independence University INSTE Bible College National Paralegal College
New Charter University New England College of Business Northcentral University
Penn Foster College Shiloh University Southwest University
Trident University International United States University University of Atlanta
University of the People Walden University Wellington Shaw Christian University

 

Multiple Locations

American InterContinental University American National University Brown Mackie College
Bryant & Stratton College Chamberlain College of Nursing College America
Culinary Institute of America Davenport University DeVry University
Dine College ECPI University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Everest University Galen College of Nursing Grace School of Theology
Herzing University International Academy of Design and Technology Johnson & Wales University
Miller-Motte College National American University National College
Rasmussen College Remington College Sanford-Brown College
South University Southern Technical College Stratford University
Touro University Worldwide Union Institute & University University of Phoenix
Virginia College    

Sources: FairTest, The Washington Post

 

What's Next?

Not a big fan of application fees? Me neither. That's why we've compiled a handy list of colleges that don't require application fees.

Debating whether to take the SAT or ACT? Read our extensive ACT vs SAT guide to learn about the differences between the two tests and to get tips on choosing the right one for you.

Need help choosing colleges? We have a guide to making a college list. We can also recommend the three best college finders and which college ranking lists you should read.

 

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Get eBook: 5 Tips for 160+ Points

Raise Your ACT Score by 4 Points (Free Download)

 

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Hannah Muniz
About the Author

Hannah received her MA in Japanese Studies from the University of Michigan and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California. From 2013 to 2015, she taught English in Japan via the JET Program. She is passionate about education, writing, and travel.



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