SAT and ACT in Kansas
Kansas graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1236 on the SAT (2% took it) and 19.0 on the ACT (73% took it). Kansas has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: Kansas State Scholarship (State Scholar designation). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Kansas's class of 2027 is 212. We cover 11 colleges in Kansas. For fall 2027, 8 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 2 let you choose whether to send a score.
- average SAT, class of 2026
- 1236
- National Merit cutoff
- 212
- state scholarship using scores
- 1
- colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
- 0
Average SAT and ACT scores in Kansas
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.
| Test | Graduates who took it | Share of the class | Average | National average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SATClass of 2026 | Graduates who took it910 | Share of the class2% | Average1236625 Reading and Writing, 611 Math | National average1045 |
| ACTClass of 2026 | Share of the class73% | Average19.0 | National average19.2 |
In the class of 2026, 910 Kansas graduates (2% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1236 (625 in Reading and Writing, 611 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 2% of Kansas's class took the SAT, mostly students applying to colleges that ask for it, so the average runs higher than in states where every student tests.
In the class of 2026, 73% of Kansas graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.0, against 19.2 nationally.
See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1250 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.
Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: Kansas · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026
Testing in Kansas high schools
Kansas pays for one ACT for every public school junior, taken in school. It's optional.
Source: ACT, Kansas · Checked October 31, 2026
Kansas merit scholarships
State programs for Kansas 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.
Kansas State Scholarship (State Scholar designation)
$1,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA, Designated Kansas State Scholar; Complete Kansas Scholars Curriculum; take ACT by December of senior year; designation by KBOR index; financial need (FAFSA + State of Kansas Student Aid Application by July 1)
National Merit in Kansas
For the class of 2027, students in Kansas needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 212 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 Kansas
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.
| College | Test policy | Acceptance rate | SAT, middle 50% | ACT, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of KansasLawrence | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.3 GPA | Acceptance rate93% | SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1280 | ACT, middle 50%20 to 28 |
| Kansas State UniversityManhattan | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.3 GPA | Acceptance rate88% | SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1260 | ACT, middle 50%20 to 27 |
| Wichita State UniversityWichita | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.3 unweighted GPA | Acceptance rate72% | SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1260 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 24 |
| Fort Hays State UniversityHays | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.3 GPA | Acceptance rate90% | SAT, middle 50%970 to 1140 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 24 |
| Benedictine CollegeAtchison | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate98% | SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1380 | ACT, middle 50%22 to 29 |
| Friends UniversityWichita | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.3 GPA | Acceptance rate55% | SAT, middle 50%960 to 1090 | ACT, middle 50%15 to 28 |
| MidAmerica Nazarene UniversityOlathe | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPA | Acceptance rate79% | SAT, middle 50%950 to 1090 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 23 |
| Kansas Wesleyan UniversitySalina | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 unweighted GPA | Acceptance rate72% | SAT, middle 50%Not published | ACT, middle 50%Not published |
| University of Saint MaryLeavenworth | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 unweighted GPA | Acceptance rate87% | SAT, middle 50%806 to 1028 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 24 |
| McPherson CollegeMcPherson | Test policyVaries by applicant | Acceptance rate77% | SAT, middle 50%968 to 1173 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 23 |
| Ottawa University-OttawaOttawa | Test policyTest recommended | Acceptance rate83% | SAT, middle 50%750 to 1000 | ACT, middle 50%16 to 22 |
To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.
Other states
Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Kansas
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Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.