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    SAT and ACT in California

    California graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1108 on the SAT (30% took it) and 26.1 on the ACT (3% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for California's class of 2027 is 220. We cover 38 colleges in California. For fall 2027, 3 require the SAT or ACT, 26 let you choose whether to send a score and 9 don't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1108
    National Merit cutoff
    220
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    3
    colleges covered
    38

    Average SAT and ACT scores in California

    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.

    SATClass of 2026Graduates who took it138,763Share of the class30%Average1108560 Reading and Writing, 548 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class3%Average26.1National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 138,763 California graduates (30% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1108 (560 in Reading and Writing, 548 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 3% of California graduates took the ACT and averaged 26.1, against 19.2 nationally. Only 3% of California's class took the ACT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1100 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

    Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: California · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in California high schools

    California juniors take the state's CAASPP tests, not the SAT or ACT. Some districts run an SAT School Day on their own; otherwise students who want a score sign up for a national SAT or ACT date on their own.

    Source: California Department of Education · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in California

    For the class of 2027, students in California needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 220 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 California

    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.

    San Diego State UniversitySan DiegoTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate37%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-San DiegoLa JollaTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate29%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-Los AngelesLos AngelesTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate9.4%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-BerkeleyBerkeleyTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate11%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-DavisDavisTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate44%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-IrvineIrvineTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate29%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta BarbaraTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate38%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate11%SAT, middle 50%1470 to 1540ACT, middle 50%32 to 35
    University of California-Santa CruzSanta CruzTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    Stanford UniversityStanfordTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate3.8%SAT, middle 50%1520 to 1570ACT, middle 50%34 to 36
    Chapman UniversityOrangeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%1255 to 1420ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    Loyola Marymount UniversityLos AngelesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate48%SAT, middle 50%1265 to 1410ACT, middle 50%28 to 33
    Santa Clara UniversitySanta ClaraTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate48%SAT, middle 50%1360 to 1480ACT, middle 50%31 to 33
    University of San DiegoSan DiegoTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate54%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of San FranciscoSan FranciscoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate62%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1380ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Pepperdine UniversityMalibuTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1410ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    Biola UniversityLa MiradaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1360ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    University of the PacificStocktonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1453ACT, middle 50%23 to 32
    Point Loma Nazarene UniversitySan DiegoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1135 to 1350ACT, middle 50%25 to 32
    University of La VerneLa VerneTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%986 to 1236ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Azusa Pacific UniversityAzusaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%983 to 1238ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    California Lutheran UniversityThousand OaksTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1320ACT, middle 50%24 to 31
    University of RedlandsRedlandsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1107 to 1350ACT, middle 50%21 to 28
    Occidental CollegeLos AngelesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate45%SAT, middle 50%1400 to 1510ACT, middle 50%31 to 34
    Pomona CollegeClaremontTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate7.1%SAT, middle 50%1490 to 1550ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Show 13 more colleges
    Claremont McKenna CollegeClaremontTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate9.4%SAT, middle 50%1480 to 1540ACT, middle 50%33 to 35
    Westmont CollegeSanta BarbaraTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1430ACT, middle 50%25 to 32
    William Jessup UniversityRocklinTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%1041 to 1228ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Otis College of Art and DesignLos AngelesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%1265 to 1395ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Dominican University of CaliforniaSan RafaelTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1300ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Scripps CollegeClaremontTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate40%SAT, middle 50%1430 to 1500ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate3.8%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%35 to 36
    Harvey Mudd CollegeClaremontTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate12%SAT, middle 50%1500 to 1560ACT, middle 50%35 to 36
    Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta PaulaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1400ACT, middle 50%28 to 33
    Hope International UniversityFullertonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate33%SAT, middle 50%840 to 1220ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Soka University of AmericaAliso ViejoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate36%SAT, middle 50%1333 to 1510ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Northeastern University OaklandOaklandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate17%SAT, middle 50%1420 to 1520ACT, middle 50%32 to 33
    John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityEscondidoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%975 to 1270ACT, middle 50%21 to 28

    To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.

    Other states

    See every state, or browse all California colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in California

    What is the average SAT score in California?
    In the class of 2026, 138,763 California graduates (30% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1108 (560 in Reading and Writing, 548 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in California?
    In the class of 2026, 3% of California graduates took the ACT and averaged 26.1, against 19.2 nationally. Only 3% of California's class took the ACT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.
    Do California high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    California juniors take the state's CAASPP tests, not the SAT or ACT. Some districts run an SAT School Day on their own; otherwise students who want a score sign up for a national SAT or ACT date on their own.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in California?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 220 or higher made a student in California a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in California require the SAT or ACT?
    Stanford University, California Institute of Technology and Thomas Aquinas College require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in California have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in California we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Stanford University (1520 to 1570), Harvey Mudd College (1500 to 1560) and Pomona College (1490 to 1550).

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.