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    SAT and ACT in Georgia

    Georgia graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1041 on the SAT (60% took it) and 20.9 on the ACT (22% took it). Georgia has 2 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Georgia's class of 2027 is 217. We cover 32 colleges in Georgia. For fall 2027, 8 require the SAT or ACT, 9 require a score only below a GPA cutoff, 13 let you choose whether to send a score, 1 accepts other exams in place of the SAT or ACT and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1041
    National Merit cutoff
    217
    state scholarships using scores
    2
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    8

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Georgia

    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 it79,606Share of the class60%Average1041531 Reading and Writing, 510 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class22%Average20.9National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 79,606 Georgia graduates (60% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1041 (531 in Reading and Writing, 510 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 22% of Georgia graduates took the ACT and averaged 20.9, against 19.2 nationally.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1050 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Georgia merit scholarships

    State programs for Georgia 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.

    • HOPE Scholarship

      State program · In-state students

      Tuition at HOPE rate. 2026-27 examples: UGA $334.47/credit hour ($5,017/semester at 15 hrs); Emory (private) $2,985/semester full-time, $1,493 half-time

      • 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, Ineligible HS graduate / unaccredited home study / HSE: test-only pathway; graduate from an ineligible high school, unaccredited home study, or HSE diploma; manual evaluation
      • 3.00+ GPA, Eligible HS graduate / accredited home study: GPA pathway; at least 4 full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List; no SAT or ACT required
      Details

    • Zell Miller Scholarship

      State program · In-state students

      100% of standard undergraduate tuition (public up to 15 hrs; private up to 12 hrs). 2026-27 examples: UGA $5,067/semester for 7-15 hrs; Emory (private) $2,985/semester full-time, $1,493 half-time

      • 3.70+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Eligible HS graduate / accredited home study: GPA + test pathway; at least 4 full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List
      • 1340+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Ineligible HS graduate / unaccredited home study: test-only pathway; graduate from an ineligible high school or complete an unaccredited home study program; manual evaluation
      Details

    National Merit in Georgia

    For the class of 2027, students in Georgia 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 Georgia

    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.

    Kennesaw State UniversityKennesawTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1210ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    University of GeorgiaAthensTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate34%SAT, middle 50%1250 to 1420ACT, middle 50%27 to 33
    Georgia State UniversityAtlantaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%940 to 1180ACT, middle 50%18 to 27
    Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboroTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1140ACT, middle 50%18 to 23
    Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlantaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate13%SAT, middle 50%1370 to 1530ACT, middle 50%31 to 35
    University of North GeorgiaDahlonegaTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate96%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1200ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Savannah College of Art and DesignSavannahTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1270ACT, middle 50%21 to 28
    University of West GeorgiaCarrolltonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 GPAAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%940 to 1130ACT, middle 50%17 to 22
    Emory UniversityAtlantaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate10%SAT, middle 50%1480 to 1540ACT, middle 50%33 to 35
    Valdosta State UniversityValdostaTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 GPAAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1080ACT, middle 50%15 to 20
    Middle Georgia State UniversityMaconTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate100%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1190ACT, middle 50%16 to 24
    Georgia College & State UniversityMilledgevilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1070 to 1230ACT, middle 50%22 to 26
    Columbus State UniversityColumbusTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate99%SAT, middle 50%800 to 1030ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Augusta UniversityAugustaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1140ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Mercer UniversityMaconTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%1170 to 1330ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Clayton State UniversityMorrowTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%860 to 1078ACT, middle 50%15 to 19
    Spelman CollegeAtlantaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate24%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1300ACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    Abraham Baldwin Agricultural CollegeTiftonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPAAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%860 to 1080ACT, middle 50%17 to 22
    Fort Valley State UniversityFort ValleyTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1070ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Gordon State CollegeBarnesvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%890 to 1130ACT, middle 50%15 to 24
    Georgia Southwestern State UniversityAmericusTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%890 to 1110ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Berry CollegeMount BerryTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1125 to 1330ACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    Oglethorpe UniversityAtlantaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1280ACT, middle 50%24 to 27
    Piedmont UniversityDemorestTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%1038 to 1245ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Brenau UniversityGainesvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1200ACT, middle 50%18 to 22
    Show 7 more colleges
    Shorter UniversityRomeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate96%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1200ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Thomas UniversityThomasvilleTest policyTest flexibleAcceptance rate38%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1220ACT, middle 50%20 to 24
    Covenant CollegeLookout MountainTest policyTest recommendedAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1360ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Life UniversityMariettaTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1130ACT, middle 50%17 to 20
    Toccoa Falls CollegeToccoa FallsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1230ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Agnes Scott CollegeDecaturTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1098 to 1280ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Wesleyan CollegeMaconTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate59%SAT, middle 50%968 to 1116ACT, middle 50%20 to 24

    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 Georgia colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Georgia

    What is the average SAT score in Georgia?
    In the class of 2026, 79,606 Georgia graduates (60% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1041 (531 in Reading and Writing, 510 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in Georgia?
    In the class of 2026, 22% of Georgia graduates took the ACT and averaged 20.9, against 19.2 nationally.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the HOPE Scholarship?

    The HOPE Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 1160+ SAT or 24+ ACT, Ineligible HS graduate / unaccredited home study / HSE: test-only pathway; graduate from an ineligible high school, unaccredited home study, or HSE diploma; manual evaluation
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Zell Miller Scholarship?

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

    • 3.70+ GPA, 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT, Eligible HS graduate / accredited home study: GPA + test pathway; at least 4 full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List
    • 1340+ SAT or 29+ ACT, Ineligible HS graduate / unaccredited home study: test-only pathway; graduate from an ineligible high school or complete an unaccredited home study program; manual evaluation
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Georgia?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 217 or higher made a student in Georgia a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Georgia require the SAT or ACT?
    Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Southern University, Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, Georgia College & State University, Augusta University and Mercer University require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 9 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff.
    Which colleges in Georgia have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Georgia we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Emory University (1480 to 1540), Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus (1370 to 1530) and University of Georgia (1250 to 1420).

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