SAT and ACT in Arkansas
Arkansas graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1187 on the SAT (3% took it) and 18.4 on the ACT (93% took it). Arkansas has 3 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship, Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (traditional students) and Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program (Achievement). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Arkansas's class of 2027 is 210. We cover 12 colleges in Arkansas. For fall 2027, 5 require the SAT or ACT, 3 require a score only below a GPA cutoff, 3 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 accepts other exams in place of the SAT or ACT.
- average SAT, class of 2026
- 1187
- National Merit cutoff
- 210
- state scholarships using scores
- 3
- colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
- 5
Average SAT and ACT scores in Arkansas
From the official reports College Board and ACT publish each fall for the graduating class. Compare states with care: an average depends on how many students take the test.
| Test | Graduates who took it | Share of the class | Average | National average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SATClass of 2026 | Graduates who took it1,012 | Share of the class3% | Average1187608 Reading and Writing, 580 Math | National average1045 |
| ACTClass of 2026 | Share of the class93% | Average18.4 | National average19.2 |
In the class of 2026, 1,012 Arkansas graduates (3% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1187 (608 in Reading and Writing, 580 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 3% of Arkansas's class took the SAT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.
In the class of 2026, 93% of Arkansas graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.4, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Arkansas student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1200 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.
Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: Arkansas · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026
Testing in Arkansas high schools
Arkansas schools must offer every junior the ACT in school, paid for by the state.
Source: Arkansas DESE memo COM-25-054 · Checked October 31, 2026
Arkansas merit scholarships
State programs for Arkansas residents that count SAT or ACT scores. Each card shows the score and GPA minimums we track; the program's own page has every rule.
Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship
$10,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.50+ GPA, 1410+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Single tier; Graduating HS senior; FAFSA; apply by March 1; 12 hrs first semester then 15/semester at one institution
Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (traditional students)
$2,000 to $5,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA, Pathway: HS GPA 3.00 or higher (test score on record, no minimum); Standardized test score (ACT, SAT, Accuplacer or equivalent) on record; FAFSA; apply by July 1; full-time enrollment
- 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, Pathway: HS GPA below 3.00 with qualifying test score; FAFSA; apply by July 1; enroll full-time (12 hrs first fall, 15/semester after)
Arkansas Governor's Scholars Program (Achievement)
$5,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- Pathway: highest-scoring student in county (ACT/SAT + GPA + class rank); Top-scoring eligible student in county by ACT or SAT score, cumulative GPA and class rank; must apply for Academic Challenge to be considered; FAFSA; deadline July 1, an application, essay or interview
National Merit in Arkansas
For the class of 2027, students in Arkansas needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 210 to become National Merit Semifinalists. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
Work out your index with the Selection Index calculator, compare states in National Merit cutoffs by state, and see which colleges reward it in colleges with National Merit scholarships.
Source: NMSC, Guide to the National Merit Scholarship Program
Colleges in Arkansas
Test policies for fall 2027, and the SAT and ACT scores of the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen. Largest colleges first; each links to its full page.
| College | Test policy | Acceptance rate | SAT, middle 50% | ACT, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of ArkansasFayetteville | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 GPA | Acceptance rate74% | SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1210 | ACT, middle 50%21 to 28 |
| Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate78% | SAT, middle 50%950 to 1190 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 24 |
| University of Central ArkansasConway | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPA | Acceptance rate89% | SAT, middle 50%910 to 1170 | ACT, middle 50%19 to 25 |
| University of Arkansas at Little RockLittle Rock | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate59% | SAT, middle 50%960 to 1210 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 24 |
| Harding UniversitySearcy | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate71% | SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1290 | ACT, middle 50%20 to 29 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main CampusMagnolia | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate75% | SAT, middle 50%875 to 1105 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 24 |
| University of Arkansas at Pine BluffPine Bluff | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate41% | SAT, middle 50%845 to 1108 | ACT, middle 50%14 to 18 |
| Ouachita Baptist UniversityArkadelphia | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPA | Acceptance rate68% | SAT, middle 50%1070 to 1280 | ACT, middle 50%22 to 28 |
| John Brown UniversitySiloam Springs | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate76% | SAT, middle 50%1070 to 1340 | ACT, middle 50%21 to 28 |
| Hendrix CollegeConway | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate56% | SAT, middle 50%1123 to 1348 | ACT, middle 50%23 to 31 |
| University of the OzarksClarksville | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate92% | SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1160 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 24 |
| Central Baptist CollegeConway | Test policyTest flexible | Acceptance rate63% | SAT, middle 50%883 to 1121 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 23 |
To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.
Other states
Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Arkansas
What is the average SAT score in Arkansas?
What is the average ACT score in Arkansas?
Do Arkansas high schools give the SAT or ACT?
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship?
The Arkansas Governor's Distinguished Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 3.50+ GPA, 1410+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Single tier; Graduating HS senior; FAFSA; apply by March 1; 12 hrs first semester then 15/semester at one institution
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (traditional students)?
The Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship (traditional students) counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT, Pathway: HS GPA below 3.00 with qualifying test score; FAFSA; apply by July 1; enroll full-time (12 hrs first fall, 15/semester after)
What is the National Merit cutoff in Arkansas?
Which colleges in Arkansas require the SAT or ACT?
Which colleges in Arkansas have the highest SAT scores?
Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.