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    SAT and ACT in Connecticut

    Connecticut graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 992 on the SAT (94% took it) and 27.2 on the ACT (6% took it). Connecticut has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: Roberta B. Willis Scholarship - Need-Based/Merit (Need and Merit-Based) Award. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Connecticut's class of 2027 is 220. We cover 18 colleges in Connecticut. For fall 2027, 2 require the SAT or ACT, 15 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    992
    National Merit cutoff
    220
    state scholarship using scores
    1
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    2

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Connecticut

    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 it41,754Share of the class94%Average992507 Reading and Writing, 485 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class6%Average27.2National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 41,754 Connecticut graduates (94% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 992 (507 in Reading and Writing, 485 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Connecticut student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    In the class of 2026, 6% of Connecticut graduates took the ACT and averaged 27.2, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of Connecticut'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: Connecticut · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in Connecticut high schools

    Every Connecticut public school junior takes the SAT in school, free, as the state's grade 11 test.

    Source: Connecticut State Department of Education, SAT School Day · Checked October 31, 2026

    Connecticut merit scholarships

    State programs for Connecticut 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.

    • Roberta B. Willis Scholarship - Need-Based/Merit (Need and Merit-Based) Award

      $4,650 to $5,250 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Need-merit award (rank or test pathway); Financial need: SAI at or below OHE cutoff for the award year; HS counselor submits application on student's behalf and FAFSA filed by Feb 15
      Details

    National Merit in Connecticut

    For the class of 2027, students in Connecticut 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 Connecticut

    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 ConnecticutStorrsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate54%SAT, middle 50%1260 to 1420ACT, middle 50%29 to 32
    Central Connecticut State UniversityNew BritainTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%900 to 1140ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Yale UniversityNew HavenTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate4.8%SAT, middle 50%1480 to 1560ACT, middle 50%33 to 35
    Quinnipiac UniversityHamdenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1320ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Fairfield UniversityFairfieldTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate25%SAT, middle 50%1280 to 1370ACT, middle 50%29 to 32
    University of New HavenWest HavenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate60%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1265ACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of HartfordWest HartfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate96%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1310ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Western Connecticut State UniversityDanburyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1170ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Eastern Connecticut State UniversityWillimanticTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1240ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Wesleyan UniversityMiddletownTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate16%SAT, middle 50%1350 to 1510ACT, middle 50%32 to 35
    University of Connecticut-StamfordStamfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1260ACT, middle 50%25 to 32
    Trinity CollegeHartfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate30%SAT, middle 50%1350 to 1460ACT, middle 50%30 to 34
    Connecticut CollegeNew LondonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate39%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1370ACT, middle 50%26 to 32
    University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusHartfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1220ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    United States Coast Guard AcademyNew LondonTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate22%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1400ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    University of Saint JosephWest HartfordTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%850 to 1170ACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusWaterburyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%910 to 1200ACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of Connecticut-Avery PointGrotonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1190ACT, middle 50%Not published

    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 Connecticut colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Connecticut

    What is the average SAT score in Connecticut?
    In the class of 2026, 41,754 Connecticut graduates (94% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 992 (507 in Reading and Writing, 485 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Connecticut 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 Connecticut?
    In the class of 2026, 6% of Connecticut graduates took the ACT and averaged 27.2, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of Connecticut'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 Connecticut high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every Connecticut public school junior takes the SAT in school, free, as the state's grade 11 test.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship - Need-Based/Merit (Need and Merit-Based) Award?

    The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship - Need-Based/Merit (Need and Merit-Based) Award counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Need-merit award (rank or test pathway); Financial need: SAI at or below OHE cutoff for the award year; HS counselor submits application on student's behalf and FAFSA filed by Feb 15
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Connecticut?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 220 or higher made a student in Connecticut a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Connecticut require the SAT or ACT?
    Yale University and United States Coast Guard Academy require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in Connecticut have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Connecticut we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Yale University (1480 to 1560), Wesleyan University (1350 to 1510) and Trinity College (1350 to 1460).

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