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    SAT and ACT in Michigan

    Michigan graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 959 on the SAT (100% took it) and 24.5 on the ACT (4% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Michigan's class of 2027 is 216. We cover 24 colleges in Michigan. For fall 2027, 1 requires a score only below a GPA cutoff, 21 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    959
    National Merit cutoff
    216
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    0
    colleges covered
    24

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Michigan

    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 it105,586Share of the class100%Average959492 Reading and Writing, 466 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class4%Average24.5National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 105,586 Michigan graduates (100% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 959 (492 in Reading and Writing, 466 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Michigan student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.

    In the class of 2026, 4% of Michigan graduates took the ACT and averaged 24.5, against 19.2 nationally. Only 4% of Michigan'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 950 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in Michigan high schools

    Every Michigan public school junior takes the SAT in school as part of the Michigan Merit Examination. 10th graders take the PSAT 10, and 8th and 9th graders the PSAT 8/9.

    From spring 2027, Michigan drops the SAT essay and stops putting the score on transcripts.

    Source: Michigan Department of Education, guide to state assessments · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in Michigan

    For the class of 2027, students in Michigan 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 Michigan

    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.

    Michigan State UniversityEast LansingTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1310ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn ArborTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate16%SAT, middle 50%1370 to 1530ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Grand Valley State UniversityAllendaleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1170ACT, middle 50%21 to 30
    Wayne State UniversityDetroitTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1290ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Oakland UniversityRochester HillsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1160ACT, middle 50%21 to 29
    Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilantiTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1160ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Central Michigan UniversityMount PleasantTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1210ACT, middle 50%20 to 28
    Ferris State UniversityBig RapidsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%900 to 1120ACT, middle 50%20 to 24
    Saginaw Valley State UniversityUniversity CenterTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1170ACT, middle 50%18 to 26
    Michigan Technological UniversityHoughtonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1330ACT, middle 50%25 to 32
    University of Michigan-DearbornDearbornTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate56%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1250ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    University of Michigan-FlintFlintTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1220ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Hope CollegeHollandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%1090 to 1310ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Calvin UniversityGrand RapidsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%1083 to 1330ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Baker CollegeOwossoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1160ACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of Detroit MercyDetroitTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1240ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    Madonna UniversityLivoniaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate63%SAT, middle 50%880 to 1080ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Adrian CollegeAdrianTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%873 to 1140ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Hillsdale CollegeHillsdaleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate21%SAT, middle 50%1320 to 1490ACT, middle 50%30 to 33
    Andrews UniversityBerrien SpringsTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.5 GPAAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1290ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    Kettering UniversityFlintTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1330ACT, middle 50%26 to 30
    Kalamazoo CollegeKalamazooTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1170 to 1380ACT, middle 50%20 to 29
    Aquinas CollegeGrand RapidsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate95%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1130ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    Spring Arbor UniversitySpring ArborTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1240ACT, 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 Michigan colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Michigan

    What is the average SAT score in Michigan?
    In the class of 2026, 105,586 Michigan graduates (100% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 959 (492 in Reading and Writing, 466 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every Michigan student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    What is the average ACT score in Michigan?
    In the class of 2026, 4% of Michigan graduates took the ACT and averaged 24.5, against 19.2 nationally. Only 4% of Michigan'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.
    Do Michigan high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every Michigan public school junior takes the SAT in school as part of the Michigan Merit Examination. 10th graders take the PSAT 10, and 8th and 9th graders the PSAT 8/9. From spring 2027, Michigan drops the SAT essay and stops putting the score on transcripts.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Michigan?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 216 or higher made a student in Michigan a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Michigan require the SAT or ACT?
    None of the 24 colleges in Michigan we cover require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. Andrews University requires a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff.
    Which colleges in Michigan have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Michigan we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (1370 to 1530), Hillsdale College (1320 to 1490) and Kalamazoo College (1170 to 1380).

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