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    SAT and ACT in Missouri

    Missouri graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1187 on the SAT (4% took it) and 19.7 on the ACT (70% took it). Missouri has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Missouri's class of 2027 is 214. We cover 23 colleges in Missouri. For fall 2027, 3 require the SAT or ACT, 5 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 15 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1187
    National Merit cutoff
    214
    state scholarship using scores
    1
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    3

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Missouri

    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 it2,919Share of the class4%Average1187604 Reading and Writing, 584 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class70%Average19.7National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 2,919 Missouri graduates (4% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1187 (604 in Reading and Writing, 584 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 4% of Missouri'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, 70% of Missouri graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.7, against 19.2 nationally.

    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: Missouri · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Missouri merit scholarships

    State programs for Missouri 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.

    • Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight)

      $1,000 to $3,000 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 1600+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Tier 1 (top 3% of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri$3,000
      • 1590+ SAT or 31+ ACT, Tier 2 (4th-5th percentile of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri$1,000
      Details

    National Merit in Missouri

    For the class of 2027, students in Missouri needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 214 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 Missouri

    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 Missouri-ColumbiaColumbiaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1330ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    Missouri State University-SpringfieldSpringfieldTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1270ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Washington University in St LouisSt. LouisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate12%SAT, middle 50%1500 to 1550ACT, middle 50%33 to 35
    Saint Louis UniversitySaint LouisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1410ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas CityTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%1115 to 1525ACT, middle 50%20 to 29
    Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRollaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1380ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    University of Missouri-St LouisSaint LouisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1290ACT, middle 50%21 to 29
    Lindenwood UniversitySaint CharlesTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryvilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%976 to 1193ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplinTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate97%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1420ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Truman State UniversityKirksvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1170 to 1370ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Webster UniversitySaint LouisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1310ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    College of the OzarksPoint LookoutTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate12%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1220ACT, middle 50%20 to 25
    Missouri Valley CollegeMarshallTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.3 GPAAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%895 to 1115ACT, middle 50%16 to 20
    Drury UniversitySpringfieldTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1290ACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    Southwest Baptist UniversityBolivarTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%810 to 1210ACT, middle 50%17 to 26
    Avila UniversityKansas CityTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 GPAAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%800 to 960ACT, middle 50%16 to 21
    Evangel UniversitySpringfieldTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPAAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1260ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesFayetteTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1045ACT, middle 50%17 to 23
    William Jewell CollegeLibertyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate38%SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1270ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Westminster CollegeFultonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1250ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Urshan UniversityWentzvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%798 to 1105ACT, middle 50%18 to 21
    Calvary UniversityKansas CityTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1140ACT, middle 50%17 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 Missouri colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Missouri

    What is the average SAT score in Missouri?
    In the class of 2026, 2,919 Missouri graduates (4% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1187 (604 in Reading and Writing, 584 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 4% of Missouri'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 Missouri?
    In the class of 2026, 70% of Missouri graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.7, against 19.2 nationally.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight)?

    The Higher Education Academic Scholarship (Bright Flight) counts SAT or ACT scores in these 2 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 1600+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Tier 1 (top 3% of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri
    • 1590+ SAT or 31+ ACT, Tier 2 (4th-5th percentile of MO test takers); US citizen/permanent resident; first-time full-time enrollment in academic year immediately after HS graduation, from Missouri
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Missouri?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 214 or higher made a student in Missouri a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Missouri require the SAT or ACT?
    College of the Ozarks, Urshan University and Calvary University require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 5 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff: Missouri State University-Springfield, Northwest Missouri State University, Missouri Valley College, Avila University and Evangel University.
    Which colleges in Missouri have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Missouri we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Washington University in St Louis (1500 to 1550), University of Missouri-Kansas City (1115 to 1525) and Missouri Southern State University (1150 to 1420).

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