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    SAT and ACT in Maryland

    Maryland graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1012 on the SAT (74% took it) and 25.2 on the ACT (5% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Maryland's class of 2027 is 221. We cover 17 colleges in Maryland. For fall 2027, 2 require the SAT or ACT and 15 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1012
    National Merit cutoff
    221
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    2
    colleges covered
    17

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Maryland

    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 it54,985Share of the class74%Average1012518 Reading and Writing, 494 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class5%Average25.2National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 54,985 Maryland graduates (74% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1012 (518 in Reading and Writing, 494 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 5% of Maryland graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.2, against 19.2 nationally. Only 5% of Maryland'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: Maryland · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    National Merit in Maryland

    For the class of 2027, students in Maryland needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 221 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 Maryland

    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 Maryland-College ParkCollege ParkTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate45%SAT, middle 50%1410 to 1520ACT, middle 50%32 to 35
    Towson UniversityTowsonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate81%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1230ACT, middle 50%19 to 27
    University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1250 to 1400ACT, middle 50%26 to 31
    Morgan State UniversityBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%840 to 1070ACT, middle 50%16 to 21
    Salisbury UniversitySalisburyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%1190 to 1300ACT, middle 50%20 to 29
    Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimoreTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate6.1%SAT, middle 50%1530 to 1565ACT, middle 50%35 to 35
    United States Naval AcademyAnnapolisTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate9.3%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1410ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Loyola University MarylandBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%1250 to 1370ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    Coppin State UniversityBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate46%SAT, middle 50%880 to 1020ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Mount St. Mary's UniversityEmmitsburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1046 to 1280ACT, middle 50%19 to 27
    St. Mary's College of MarylandSt. Mary's CityTest policyTest recommendedAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1320ACT, middle 50%26 to 31
    Maryland Institute College of ArtBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1078 to 1305ACT, middle 50%25 to 33
    University of BaltimoreBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%740 to 1330ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Goucher CollegeBaltimoreTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1320ACT, middle 50%27 to 30
    Washington CollegeChestertownTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1310ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    St. John's CollegeAnnapolisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate55%SAT, middle 50%1270 to 1440ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    Washington Adventist UniversityTakoma ParkTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate46%SAT, middle 50%860 to 1130ACT, 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 Maryland colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Maryland

    What is the average SAT score in Maryland?
    In the class of 2026, 54,985 Maryland graduates (74% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1012 (518 in Reading and Writing, 494 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in Maryland?
    In the class of 2026, 5% of Maryland graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.2, against 19.2 nationally. Only 5% of Maryland'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.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Maryland?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 221 or higher made a student in Maryland a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Maryland require the SAT or ACT?
    Johns Hopkins University and United States Naval Academy require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in Maryland have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Maryland we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Johns Hopkins University (1530 to 1565), University of Maryland-College Park (1410 to 1520) and St. John's College (1270 to 1440).

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