Sharp SAT prep home

    SAT and ACT in Louisiana

    Louisiana graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1198 on the SAT (3% took it) and 18.4 on the ACT (100% took it). Louisiana has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Louisiana's class of 2027 is 211. We cover 17 colleges in Louisiana. For fall 2027, 3 require the SAT or ACT, 4 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 8 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1198
    National Merit cutoff
    211
    state scholarship using scores
    1
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    3

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Louisiana

    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 it1,476Share of the class3%Average1198611 Reading and Writing, 587 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class100%Average18.4National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 1,476 Louisiana graduates (3% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1198 (611 in Reading and Writing, 587 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 3% of Louisiana'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, 100% of Louisiana graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.4, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Louisiana student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    See where a score stands nationally with the SAT percentile calculator, or what a 1200 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in Louisiana high schools

    Every Louisiana public school junior takes the ACT in school, free. A good ACT also counts toward TOPS.

    Source: Louisiana Department of Education, assessment calendar · Checked October 31, 2026

    Louisiana merit scholarships

    State programs for Louisiana 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.

    • TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)

      $400 to $12,000 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 3.50+ GPA, 1390+ SAT or 31+ ACT, TOPS Excellence; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school$12,000
      • 3.50+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, TOPS Honors; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school$800
      • 2.50+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, TOPS Opportunity; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school
      • 3.25+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, TOPS Performance; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school$400
      Details

    National Merit in Louisiana

    For the class of 2027, students in Louisiana needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 211 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 Louisiana

    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.

    Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton RougeTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.5 weighted GPAAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1180 to 1320ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    University of Louisiana at LafayetteLafayetteTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1240ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Louisiana Tech UniversityRustonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPAAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1310ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Tulane University of LouisianaNew OrleansTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate14%SAT, middle 50%1430 to 1500ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Louisiana State University at AlexandriaAlexandriaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate92%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1220ACT, middle 50%17 to 22
    Northwestern State University of LouisianaNatchitochesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate95%SAT, middle 50%866 to 1163ACT, middle 50%18 to 23
    Southern University and A & M CollegeBaton RougeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate35%SAT, middle 50%790 to 1020ACT, middle 50%15 to 19
    University of Louisiana at MonroeMonroeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1360ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    McNeese State UniversityLake CharlesTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%940 to 1198ACT, middle 50%18 to 23
    Nicholls State UniversityThibodauxTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%934 to 1196ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    University of New OrleansNew OrleansTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPAAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%935 to 1241ACT, middle 50%17 to 23
    Grambling State UniversityGramblingTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate45%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1080ACT, middle 50%15 to 19
    Xavier University of LouisianaNew OrleansTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1150ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Louisiana State University-ShreveportShreveportTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate51%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1195ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Dillard UniversityNew OrleansTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate42%SAT, middle 50%968 to 1202ACT, middle 50%18 to 22
    Southern University at New OrleansNew OrleansTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%820 to 1050ACT, middle 50%15 to 20
    Centenary College of LouisianaShreveportTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.5 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate56%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1210ACT, middle 50%20 to 25

    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 Louisiana colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Louisiana

    What is the average SAT score in Louisiana?
    In the class of 2026, 1,476 Louisiana graduates (3% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1198 (611 in Reading and Writing, 587 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 3% of Louisiana'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.
    What is the average ACT score in Louisiana?
    In the class of 2026, 100% of Louisiana graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.4, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Louisiana student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    Do Louisiana high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every Louisiana public school junior takes the ACT in school, free. A good ACT also counts toward TOPS.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students)?

    The TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students) counts SAT or ACT scores in these 4 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.50+ GPA, 1390+ SAT or 31+ ACT, TOPS Excellence; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school
    • 3.50+ GPA, 1260+ SAT or 27+ ACT, TOPS Honors; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school
    • 2.50+ GPA, 1030+ SAT or 20+ ACT, TOPS Opportunity; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school
    • 3.25+ GPA, 1130+ SAT or 23+ ACT, TOPS Performance; complete 19.0-unit TOPS core curriculum; BESE-approved high school
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Louisiana?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 211 or higher made a student in Louisiana a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Louisiana require the SAT or ACT?
    McNeese State University, Grambling State University and Southern University at New Orleans require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 4 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff: Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College, Louisiana Tech University, University of New Orleans and Centenary College of Louisiana.
    Which colleges in Louisiana have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Louisiana we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Tulane University of Louisiana (1430 to 1500), University of Louisiana at Monroe (1160 to 1360) and Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (1180 to 1320).

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