100+ Colleges That Don’t Require SAT Or ACT In The US (Prestigious College, Online Colleges & Community Colleges)

Are you on your admission road to college? If you are, you have probably taken the SAT or you are about to. Either way, you’re surely stressed about the results which in a way determine your future educational path. But, don’t worry, if you’re unsatisfied with the results and you don’t want to repeat the SAT, there’s another way to achieve your goals. What’s that, you might ask?

The answer to this question and a solution to your worries are colleges that don’t require SAT. Yes, today more and more colleges are becoming flexible test-wise. Some colleges have even eliminated SAT scores from their enrollment policy. Now more than 1000 accredited colleges have changed their perspective regarding SAT, offering test-free opportunities to all future college applicants.

We’re here to help you find the college that fits your talent and ambitions without the mandatory standardized SAT. Our goal is to inform you which colleges don’t require SAT or ACT, starting from online colleges, community colleges, colleges that don’t require SAT due to the Coronavirus, and much more. Also, this article will present you with the list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT along with all the information you need for applying.

Even the most prestigious college where SAT or ACT is usually mandatory, due to the Coronavirus have adopted a test-optional policy. Use that fact to your advantage if you see your future self as a freshman walking through those college halls. Study this article carefully and find your perfect college from our list of colleges that don’t require SAT, from the comfort of your home!

Online Colleges that Don’t Require SAT or ACT

Online Colleges that don’t require SAT or ACT are also known as open admission colleges. Every aspiring applicant with a high school diploma and GED qualification can be accepted. Therefore if you’re after the whole package, enrollment in an online college without standardized tests, academic and geographic flexibility, lower tuition fees, ability to work, and transferable skills, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s a list of online colleges that don’t require SAT or ACT:

• National University- San Diego, California (nu.edu)
• Walden University- Minneapolis, Minneapolis (waldenu.edu)
• Florida University- Miami, Florida (fiu.edu)
• Liberty University- Lynchburg, Virginia (liberty.edu)
• Sullivan University- Louisville, Kentucky (sullivan.edu)
• Granite State College- Concord, New Hampshire (granite.edu)
• Bryant and Stratton College- Buffalo, New York (bryantstratton.edu)
• Salem International University- Salem, West Virginia (salemu.edu)
• Grand Canyon University- Phoenix, Arizona (gcu.edu)
• Bellevue University- Bellevue, Nebraska (bellevue.edu)

As an online student, you’ll have the unique opportunity to acquire practical, transferable skills related to technology, and communication through debate boards, and videoconferencing. If this is something you see yourself doing, you’ll enjoy throughout the whole online educational journey.

Community Colleges that Don’t Require SAT or ACT

Community colleges are another place to turn to if your goal is to avoid the SAT or ACT and rather use the open admission policy. To fulfill your goal you can turn to one of these community colleges that don’t require SAT or ACT. Check out the overview of each of these colleges on U.S. News:

• Bevill State Community College– Jasper,AL

Total enrollment: 3,745

Tuition fees: $5,086(in-district), $5,086(in-state), $9,214(out-of-state)

• Central Community College– Grand Island,NE

Total enrollment: 6,354

Tuition fees: $3,000(in-district), $3,000(in-state), $4,320(out-of-state)

• Central Carolina Technical College– Sumter,SC

Total enrollment: 3,550

Tuition fees: $5,166(in-district), $6,035(in-state), $8,518(out-of-state)

• Des Moines Area Community College– Ankeny,IA

Total enrollment: 23,474

Tuition fees: $4,680(in-district), $4,680(in-state), $9,360(out-of-state)

• Lake Area Technical Institute– Watertown,SD

Total enrollment: 2,245

Tuition fee: $5,332

• Arizona Western College– Yuma,AZ

Total enrollment: 7,434

Tuition fees: $2,720(in-district), $2,720(in-state), $9,710(out-of-state)

• Amarillo College– Amarillo,TX

Total enrollment: 9,854

Tuition fees: $2,136(in-district), $3,168(in-state), $4,704(out-of-state)

• ASA College– Brooklyn,NY

Total enrollment: 4,356

Tuition fee: $12,920

• Bellevue College– Bellevue,WA

Total enrollment: 13,226

Tuition fees: $3,778(in-district), $3,778(in-state), $9,144(out-of-state)

• Delta College– University Center,MI

Total enrollment: 8,080

Tuition fees: $4,010(in-district), $6,410(in-state), $11,480(out-of-state)

If you’re still indecisive and can’t find the perfect community college that meats your talent and doesn’t require SAT or ACT you can find more information on U.S. News Community Colleges.

Colleges that Don’t Require SAT due to Coronavirus

The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed our lives completely. It has altered every sphere of our lives including education. Many colleges due to Coronavirus started changing their admission standards and SAT policy. Here are some colleges that don’t require SAT due to Coronavirus that you might be interested in:

• Yale University- Connecticut

Test-optional admission policy was extended due to Coronavirus until fall 2023 enrollment

• Harvard College- Cambridge

Optional SAT or ACT due to Coronavirus for the 2022-2026 application cycle

• Stanford University- Stanford

Stanford’s free-test policy was extended due to Coronavirus until the fall of 2023

• Johns Hopkins University (MD)- Baltimore

SAT and ACT at Johns Hopkins University are optional due to Coronavirus through the 2025-2026 application year

• University of Pennsylvania- Philadelphia

Optional SAT or ACT policy due to Coronavirus through the 2022-2023 application process

• Northwestern University- Evanston

Test- optional policy due to Coronavirus through the 2022-2023 admissions cycle

• University of Massachusetts-Amherst

Test-optional policy due to Coronavirus until 2023

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

SAT and ACT are optional due to Coronavirus through the spring of 2025

• University of Connecticut- Connecticut

Standardized tests are optional due to Coronavirus through the fall of 2026

• New York University- New York

Test optional policy has been extended due to Coronavirus during the 2022-2023 admissions cycle

These Universities recognize the application challenges students face when it comes to standardized tests due to Coronavirus. Therefore they try to help students by changing their rules and including a test-optional policy to ease the admission process.

Top 10 Colleges that Don’t Require SAT

Regardless of your reason for pursuing a college with a more open approach to a standardized test, to get you started in your search we’ve created a list of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT across the US:

1. University of Chicago

The University of Chicago as a test-optional University believes that SAT or ACT score doesn’t truly represent a student’s academic readiness or potential. If you’re interested in applying as a first-year student you should provide the following application material:

• Admission application and additional essays
• $75 application fee for students not applying for need-based financial aid
• No application fee for students applying for need-based financial aid
• High school report and transcript
• Teacher’s evaluations (at least 2)
• Mid-year report
• Optional sections: financial aid application, video profile, additional materials (artistic, creative, research skill, and more)
• Consider tuition fees: $61,179, starting with the Class of 2023 free tuition for families with income under $125,000 per year; for the families with income less than $60,000 per year the tuition fees will be covered with financial aid

Since 1890, the University of Chicago is dedicated to its students encouraging them in critical thinking, discussions, and debates through its famous small discussion classes. So, if you’re after the individual educational approach this is the place to be.

2. University of California- Los Angeles (UCLA)

Located in Los Angeles, the University of California is another test-optional University on our list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT. UCLA doesn’t even consider SAT for entry or scholarship purposes. This is what you’ll need to apply:

• UCLA admission application
• Grades and GPA- 3.93 average
• Rigorous high school curriculum
• Leadership and accomplishments in and outside the classroom
• Success in academic enrichment programs
• Personal achievements in intellectual or creative fields, including the performing arts, athletics, and community service
• Tuition fees: $13,804 per academic year, a possibility for financial aid and scholarship

UCLA encourages every idealistic, ambitious, and creative student with a unique point of view to become part of its student community. If you have these qualities and you like what you’ve read so far, don’t hesitate and start preparing your application.

3. University of California- Berkley

UC Berkeley as a test-free University no longer uses SAT in its review process. It also has a subject exam optional policy, it can be value-added or not, it’s up to you. The requirements you should fulfill to apply to the University of California- Berkley:

• Meet the A-G subject course obligations (check out theA-G Policy Resource Guide)
• 0 GPA (A-G courses in the 10^th and 11^th grade)
• 4 GPA for non-residents
• Biased and unbiased UC GPA (estimated using 10^th and 11^th-grade UC-approved courses only)
• Planned 12^th-grade courses
• Grades pattern
• Completed college preparatory courses, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), honors, and transferable college courses
• Level of achievement in those courses compared to other UC applicants
• Tuitions fees: $14,760 and 4 types of financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study aid)

If you’re not prepared for standardized testing and you consider UC Berkley for your future education, start working on fulfilling these requirements and apply to one of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT.

4. University of California- San Diego

The University of California- San Diego admission policy doesn’t take into consideration SAT or ACT scores in the application process. As a first-year applicant besides your high school diploma you’ll have to satisfy the following requirements:

• Subject Requirement (UC College preparatory courses A-G courses at least 11 of the 15 courses before your senior year of high school)
• GPA (Grade-Point Average) requirements (California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or higher), non-California residents and international applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or higher) no grade should be lower than “C.”)
• Personal Insight Questions (4-8 personal insight questions- why do you think you belong at UC San Diego)
• Portfolio Review (optional for Arts majors)
• Tuition fees: $17,361 for California residents and $31,026 for non-California residents

If you’re a bold risk-taker, a fireless innovator and you fulfill the requirements then you’ll have no trouble enrolling in UC San Diego as one of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT.

5. Wake Forest University

Wake Forester University offers the opportunity to use SAT scores only if you want them to be considered in your application. Once you decide whether to include your scores, you’ll need to:

• Pay the $85 application fee
• Submit high school report form and teacher recommendation form
• Submit official high school transcript
• Send a mid-year report form
• Pass TOEFL/IELTS if you’re an international student
• Be prepared for a tuition fee of $62, 128 or apply for financial aid or a scholarship

Wake Forester University is one of the top 30 universities on the National University list. It has accomplished a lot advancing from a regional University classification to 28^th place on National Ranking. Besides it’s on our list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT, impressive, right!

6. Brandeis University

Since 2013 Brandies University has adopted a test-optional policy allowing applicants to choose for themselves, whether to include or not their SAT scores. All first-year applicants at Brandies University should:

• Complete common application
• Pay the $80 application fee or use the fee-waiver option
• Submit official copies of all high school transcriptsand/orGED certificate
• Include transcripts for courses taken for credit outside your high school
• Include transcripts with official grades from all years of high school
• Submit a school reportand aletter of recommendationfrom a high school official
• Send your senior mid-year gradesas soon as they become available
• Have a letter of recommendationfrom a teacher (mathematics, science, history, foreign language, or English)
• Be prepared for a tuition fee of $61,724 or apply for financial aid or a scholarship

Endless opportunities await you if you become a student at Brandeis, one of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT. This university considers all applicants for merit scholarships and academic programs regardless of their choice to submit SAT scores.

7. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) is considered a test-blind institution because SAT and ACT are not included in the Institute’s application. Nevertheless, WPI as one of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT, does require:

• Common application
• High school official transcripts
• University transcripts (if the applicant is transferring from another college)
• Letter of recommendation from a school counselor
• Letter of recommendation from a teacher
• An early decision agreement for an early decision applicants
• Additional requirements if you’re a home-schooled, international, or transferred student

WPI offers the possibility offinancial aid and scholarships. Use everything this university offers if you want to pursue your passions and become a student at a world-class research institution.

8. Michigan State University

If you want to join the next generation of Spartans Michigan State University (MSU) is the place to be. As a test-optional University, Michigan State leaves it to students to indicate on the application whether they want their SAT scores in the process of evaluation. If you’re considering the possibility of becoming a freshman at MSU, here’s how to apply:

• Pay the $65 application fee or use a fee-waiver upon application submission
• Send your official transcripts from high school, any dual enrollment, or early/middle college programs online or by mail
• Select your major favorite
• Indicate any college-level course before MSU
• Don’t send letters of recommendation as they’re not required
• If you’re an in-state freshman the tuition fee is $15,436, for an out-of-state freshman or international student $42,022, or use the options for financial aid, scholarships, or student employment

As a member of the esteemed Association of the American Universities, MSU found its place on our list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT. If you decide to be a part of Michigan State University, you’ll have the opportunity to choose from one of 200 academic programs and 275 study abroad programs.

9. Arizona State University

Arizona State University admission process is test-optional and SAT or ACT is not required, but may be submitted as a piece of additional information. There are several admission requirements if you want to be a student in one of the top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT:

• Course competency
• Aptitude (top 25% in high school graduating class,3.00 GPA in competency courses (4.00 = “A”)
• Undergraduate admission application
• Non-refundable application fee of $50 or a fee-waiver
• Official copy of your transcript
• Residenttuition and fees: $12,698 or use the Federal Student Aid free application for grants and loans

Become a part of Arizona State University as one of the most innovative fastest-growing research universities in the country. To do so, take the requirements seriously and start preparing!

10. Indiana University

According to Indiana University admission information SAT and ACT scores are optional. The university advises freshmen before the application process to learn everything they need to know on how to apply. Here’s what you should know when you apply:

• Apply Indiana University (IU) Application or Common Application
• Essay (200-400 words where you describe your academic and career plans and your special interests)
• The $65 application fee is non-refundable, for any payment issues, contact [email protected], or use one of the different fee waiver forms
• High school transcript
• Full senior year schedule (directly from your high school or submitted as part of your application)
• After you apply create an IU computing account to check your application process
• Tuition and fees: $11,446 for Indiana residents and $39,118 for non-residents or use the opportunity for scholarships or financial aid

This test-optional, business-focused school has made it on our list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT as an environment with infinite possibilities. As a student at Indiana University, you can choose from over 750 clubs and organizations, and participate in more than 200 research centers.

Other Colleges that Don’t Require SAT

Many other colleges in the United States don’t require SAT. Therefore, besides our list of top 10 colleges that don’t require SAT we’ve listed more test-optional schools for you to choose from in this table:

Conclusion

We sincerely hope that our thorough research on colleges that don’t require SAT will bring you one step closer to your ideal school. As you can see there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer a test-optional policy in an online college, a community college, or a prestigious college, here you have it all!

Top college education without the fuss of standardized tests, stress-free experience that’ll take you to the next step on your stairway to success. More and more colleges understand that a single test can measure your potential, creativity, and talent. That’s why they’re glad to implement an open admission policy that can attract more students, who have what it takes, but aren’t willing to take SAT or ACT, or have taken the tests but aren’t satisfied with the results. Whatever the reason, thanks to the “open-minded” colleges, many talented students will find the courage to apply to one of these colleges that don’t require SAT.

If you’re one of those potential freshmen, read the admission requirements carefully, and start preparing. First and foremost, choose the college you think is best for you. Don’t feel intimidated if you see more requirements on the list. Just follow them through step by step and you’ll have a successfully submitted application in no time!

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