Best Test-Optional U.S. Colleges

CollegeSimply ranks 1045 four-year colleges that do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. These are the highest-ranked test-optional schools in the U.S., sorted by academic quality and student outcomes. Policies can vary by applicant and year, so confirm requirements on each school's website before applying.

Princeton University leads our 2027 test-optional rankings, ranked #1 nationally. The top rated public option is University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Also highly ranked: Duke University, Stanford University and Harvard University.

Without test scores, your GPA, activities, recommendation letters, and essays carry more weight. Compare acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment across the full list below. Filter by state or sort by selectivity to build your list. You can also explore matches by GPA on our college search by GPA. See our ranking methodology for how schools are scored.

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Test Optional Public Private 4 Year

Indiana University Kokomo

  • Public 4 Year
  • Kokomo, IN
  • | 0 reviews

IU Kokomo is a public regional campus of Indiana University known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. Most students study on a compact campus in the midsize city of Kokomo.

#8 Best Public Universities in Indiana 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 960-1150
  • Avg GPA 3.29
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $3,880
Details

Mercy University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Dobbs Ferry, NY
  • | 0 reviews

Mercy is a private university known for undergraduate nursing, health professions, and business. The Dobbs Ferry campus overlooks the Hudson River in suburban Westchester County.

#57 Best Private Colleges in New York 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1020-1230
  • Avg GPA 3.19
  • Acceptance Rate 86%
  • Net Price $15,200
Details

California State University Monterey Bay

  • Public 4 Year
  • Seaside, CA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jan 15 application deadline

CSUMB is a public university known for undergraduate marine science and environmental studies. The campus sits on the former Fort Ord site overlooking Monterey Bay.

#22 Best Public Universities in California 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 960-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.45
  • Acceptance Rate 97%
  • Net Price $14,493
Details

Marshall University

  • Public 4 Year
  • Huntington, WV
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Aug 10 application deadline

Marshall is a public university known for undergraduate forensic science, nursing, and business. The urban campus borders the Ohio River in Huntington.

#3 Best Public Universities in West Virginia 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 910-1150
  • Avg GPA 3.68
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $8,076
Details

Midland University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Fremont, NE
  • | 0 reviews

Midland is a private Lutheran university known for undergraduate business, nursing, and education. Most students live on the residential campus in Fremont, northwest of Omaha.

#5 Best Private Colleges in Nebraska 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 963-1170
  • Avg GPA 3.26
  • Acceptance Rate 66%
  • Net Price $26,643
Details

Oral Roberts University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Tulsa, OK
  • 3.3 | 3 reviews

Oral Roberts is a private Christian university known for undergraduate ministry, nursing, and business. The Tulsa campus centers on the Prayer Tower and a distinctive modernist architectural style.

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oklahoma 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1120-1310
  • Avg GPA 3.5
  • Acceptance Rate 99%
  • Net Price $25,808
Details

Schreiner University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Kerrville, TX
  • | 0 reviews

Schreiner is a small private university with undergraduate programs in nursing and education. The campus sits in Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country.

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 88%
  • Net Price $22,884
Details

Faulkner University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Montgomery, AL
  • | 0 reviews

Faulkner is a private Christian university known for undergraduate biblical studies, ministry, and business. The Montgomery campus is affiliated with the Churches of Christ and keeps a residential college focus.

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 886-1135
  • Avg GPA 3.36
  • Acceptance Rate 73%
  • Net Price $19,920
Details

Regent University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Virginia Beach, VA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

Regent is a private Christian university known for undergraduate communication, government, and the arts. The suburban campus is in Virginia Beach near the Atlantic coast.

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 990-1250
  • Avg GPA 3.34
  • Acceptance Rate 38%
  • Net Price $20,512
Details

California State University Fresno

  • Public 4 Year
  • Fresno, CA
  • 4.0 | 2 reviews
  • Dec 15 application deadline

Fresno State is a large public university known for undergraduate agriculture, viticulture, and business. Students attend classes on a large campus in California's Central Valley.

#23 Best Public Universities in California 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 890-1100
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.12
  • Acceptance Rate 95%
  • Net Price $7,834
Details

Indiana University Northwest

  • Public 4 Year
  • Gary, IN
  • | 0 reviews

IU Northwest is a public regional campus of Indiana University known for undergraduate nursing, business, and education. The urban Gary campus primarily serves commuting students from Northwest Indiana.

#9 Best Public Universities in Indiana 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 910-1180
  • Avg GPA 3.14
  • Acceptance Rate 73%
  • Net Price $5,745
Details

McMurry University

  • Private 4 Year
  • Abilene, TX
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Aug 15 application deadline

McMurry is a private university known for undergraduate business, education, and nursing. The residential campus in Abilene is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 950-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 57%
  • Net Price $20,723
Details

University of Wisconsin Superior

  • Public 4 Year
  • Superior, WI
  • | 0 reviews
  • Aug 1 application deadline

UW-Superior is a small public university known for undergraduate education, business, and transportation and logistics. The lakeside campus sits on the shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin.

#12 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range -
  • Avg GPA 3.32
  • Acceptance Rate 93%
  • Net Price $13,215
Details

Midwestern State University

  • Public 4 Year
  • Wichita Falls, TX
  • | 0 reviews

Midwestern State is a public liberal arts university known for undergraduate nursing and business. The campus sits in the city of Wichita Falls in North Texas.

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 910-1100
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.2
  • Acceptance Rate 94%
  • Net Price $11,215
Details
Saint Mary of the Woods College Campus
 

Saint Mary of the Woods College

  • Private 4 Year
  • Saint Mary of the Woods, IN
  • | 0 reviews

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods is a private Catholic college known for undergraduate music therapy, nursing, and equine studies. The wooded campus near Terre Haute is the historic home of the Sisters of Providence.

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 875-1070
  • Avg GPA 3.35
  • Acceptance Rate 72%
  • Net Price $20,451
Details
Fort Hays State University Campus
 

Fort Hays State University

  • Public 4 Year
  • Hays, KS
  • | 0 reviews

Fort Hays State is a public university known for undergraduate teacher education, nursing, and business. The residential campus is in the college town of Hays on the High Plains of western Kansas.

#4 Best Public Universities in Kansas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1140
  • Avg GPA 3.45
  • Acceptance Rate 90%
  • Net Price $13,186
Details

Stephen F Austin State University

  • Public 4 Year
  • Nacogdoches, TX
  • 3.8 | 8 reviews

SFA is a public university known for undergraduate forestry, education, and nursing. The residential campus sits in the historic East Texas college town of Nacogdoches.

#18 Best Public Universities in Texas 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 970-1170
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.26
  • Acceptance Rate 94%
  • Net Price $14,959
Details

University of Memphis

  • Public 4 Year
  • Memphis, TN
  • 5.0 | 1 reviews
  • Jul 1 application deadline

University of Memphis is a large public university known for undergraduate music, business, and journalism. The urban campus is in Midtown Memphis.

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 915-1180
  • Avg GPA 3.48
  • Acceptance Rate 72%
  • Net Price $12,756
Details