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    SAT and ACT in Florida

    Florida graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 983 on the SAT (86% took it) and 19.9 on the ACT (36% took it). Florida has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Florida's class of 2027 is 216. We cover 32 colleges in Florida. For fall 2027, 18 require the SAT or ACT and 13 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    983
    National Merit cutoff
    216
    state scholarship using scores
    1
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    18

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Florida

    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 it204,701Share of the class86%Average983506 Reading and Writing, 477 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class36%Average19.9National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 204,701 Florida graduates (86% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 983 (506 in Reading and Writing, 477 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 36% of Florida graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.9, against 19.2 nationally.

    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: Florida · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in Florida high schools

    Florida pays for a college admission test for every public school junior; each district picks the SAT, ACT or Classic Learning Test. In 10th grade, districts give the PSAT/NMSQT, PreACT or CLT10.

    Source: Florida Department of Education, 2025-26 assessment schedule · Checked October 31, 2026

    Florida merit scholarships

    State programs for Florida 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.

    • Florida Bright Futures Scholarship

      State program · In-state students

      100% of tuition and applicable fees at public institutions; private: $212/semester credit hour at 4-year (2026-27 Private Award chart)

      • 3.50+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Florida Academic Scholars (FAS); 16 college-prep credits (4 Eng, 4 Math, 3 Sci, 3 Soc Sci, 2 World Lang); 100 volunteer or 100 paid work or 100 combined hours; FFAA by Aug 31 after graduation
      • 3.00+ GPA, 1190+ SAT or 24+ ACT, Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS); 16 college-prep credits; 75 volunteer or 100 paid work or 100 combined hours; FFAA by Aug 31 after graduation
      Details

    National Merit in Florida

    For the class of 2027, students in Florida needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 216 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 Florida

    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 Central FloridaOrlandoTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate43%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1350ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Florida International UniversityMiamiTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%1070 to 1260ACT, middle 50%22 to 27
    University of South FloridaTampaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate41%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1340ACT, middle 50%25 to 29
    University of FloridaGainesvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate20%SAT, middle 50%1330 to 1490ACT, middle 50%29 to 33
    Florida State UniversityTallahasseeTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate24%SAT, middle 50%1300 to 1410ACT, middle 50%29 to 32
    Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca RatonTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1220ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFort MyersTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate63%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1200ACT, middle 50%20 to 25
    University of North FloridaJacksonvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1230ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    University of MiamiCoral GablesTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate18%SAT, middle 50%1350 to 1450ACT, middle 50%30 to 33
    University of West FloridaPensacolaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate58%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1160ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideDaytona BeachTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate58%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1240ACT, middle 50%18 to 28
    Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachDaytona BeachTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate62%SAT, middle 50%1170 to 1360ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityTallahasseeTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate19%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1180ACT, middle 50%20 to 24
    Nova Southeastern UniversityFort LauderdaleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1300ACT, middle 50%19 to 28
    Saint Leo UniversitySaint LeoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of Florida-OnlineGainesvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%1250 to 1410ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Florida Institute of TechnologyMelbourneTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate58%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1320ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Jacksonville UniversityJacksonvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1280ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Lynn UniversityBoca RatonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1200ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona BeachTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%830 to 990ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Florida Southern CollegeLakelandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1330ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Rollins CollegeWinter ParkTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate48%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1370ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityWest Palm BeachTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1220ACT, middle 50%18 to 26
    Flagler CollegeSaint AugustineTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate81%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1190ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Stetson UniversityDeLandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%945 to 1190ACT, middle 50%18 to 27
    Show 7 more colleges
    Eckerd CollegeSaint PetersburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1320ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    Florida Polytechnic UniversityLakelandTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1320ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    Edward Waters UniversityJacksonvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    New College of FloridaSarasotaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1280ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Warner UniversityLake WalesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate43%SAT, middle 50%790 to 1070ACT, middle 50%14 to 20
    Florida CollegeTemple TerraceTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1220ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Trinity College of JacksonvilleJacksonvilleTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate53%SAT, middle 50%778 to 1006ACT, middle 50%16 to 20

    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 Florida colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Florida

    What is the average SAT score in Florida?
    In the class of 2026, 204,701 Florida graduates (86% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 983 (506 in Reading and Writing, 477 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in Florida?
    In the class of 2026, 36% of Florida graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.9, against 19.2 nationally.
    Do Florida high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Florida pays for a college admission test for every public school junior; each district picks the SAT, ACT or Classic Learning Test. In 10th grade, districts give the PSAT/NMSQT, PreACT or CLT10.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

    The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in these 2 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.50+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Florida Academic Scholars (FAS); 16 college-prep credits (4 Eng, 4 Math, 3 Sci, 3 Soc Sci, 2 World Lang); 100 volunteer or 100 paid work or 100 combined hours; FFAA by Aug 31 after graduation
    • 3.00+ GPA, 1190+ SAT or 24+ ACT, Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS); 16 college-prep credits; 75 volunteer or 100 paid work or 100 combined hours; FFAA by Aug 31 after graduation
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Florida?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 216 or higher made a student in Florida a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Florida require the SAT or ACT?
    18 of the 32 colleges in Florida we cover require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027, including University of Central Florida, Florida International University, University of South Florida, University of Florida and Florida State University.
    Which colleges in Florida have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Florida we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at University of Florida (1330 to 1490), University of Miami (1350 to 1450) and Florida State University (1300 to 1410).

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