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    SAT and ACT in Colorado

    Colorado graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 994 on the SAT (92% took it) and 24.7 on the ACT (7% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Colorado's class of 2027 is 217. We cover 12 colleges in Colorado. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT, 10 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    994
    National Merit cutoff
    217
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    1
    colleges covered
    12

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Colorado

    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 it59,974Share of the class92%Average994511 Reading and Writing, 484 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class7%Average24.7National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 59,974 Colorado graduates (92% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 994 (511 in Reading and Writing, 484 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Colorado student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    In the class of 2026, 7% of Colorado graduates took the ACT and averaged 24.7, against 19.2 nationally. Only 7% of Colorado'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 1000 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in Colorado high schools

    Colorado public school juniors take the SAT in school as the state test, 10th graders take the PSAT 10 and 9th graders the PSAT 8/9.

    Source: Colorado Department of Education, SAT and PSAT · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in Colorado

    For the class of 2027, students in Colorado needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 217 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 Colorado

    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.

    University of Colorado BoulderBoulderTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1370ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort CollinsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    Metropolitan State University of DenverDenverTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate99%SAT, middle 50%880 to 1130ACT, middle 50%17 to 26
    University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenverTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1220ACT, middle 50%23 to 32
    University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado SpringsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate97%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1210ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Colorado School of MinesGoldenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%1340 to 1460ACT, middle 50%30 to 33
    University of DenverDenverTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1360ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    University of Northern ColoradoGreeleyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1170ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    United States Air Force AcademyUSAF AcademyTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate14%SAT, middle 50%1230 to 1440ACT, middle 50%26 to 33
    Fort Lewis CollegeDurangoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1210ACT, middle 50%18 to 26
    Colorado CollegeColorado SpringsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate22%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1430ACT, middle 50%28 to 34
    Western Colorado UniversityGunnisonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate96%SAT, middle 50%1163 to 1353ACT, middle 50%22 to 26

    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 Colorado colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Colorado

    What is the average SAT score in Colorado?
    In the class of 2026, 59,974 Colorado graduates (92% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 994 (511 in Reading and Writing, 484 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Colorado student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    What is the average ACT score in Colorado?
    In the class of 2026, 7% of Colorado graduates took the ACT and averaged 24.7, against 19.2 nationally. Only 7% of Colorado'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 Colorado high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Colorado public school juniors take the SAT in school as the state test, 10th graders take the PSAT 10 and 9th graders the PSAT 8/9.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Colorado?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 217 or higher made a student in Colorado a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Colorado require the SAT or ACT?
    United States Air Force Academy requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in Colorado have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Colorado we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Colorado School of Mines (1340 to 1460), United States Air Force Academy (1230 to 1440) and Colorado College (1240 to 1430).

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