SAT and ACT in Nebraska
Nebraska graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1270 on the SAT (2% took it) and 18.8 on the ACT (100% took it). Nebraska has 3 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Nebraska Career Scholarship - University of Nebraska, Nebraska Career Scholarship - Nebraska State Colleges and Nebraska Career Scholarship - Private Colleges. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Nebraska's class of 2027 is 212. We cover 6 colleges in Nebraska. For fall 2027, 1 requires a score only below a GPA cutoff and 5 let you choose whether to send a score.
- average SAT, class of 2026
- 1270
- National Merit cutoff
- 212
- state scholarships using scores
- 3
- colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
- 0
Average SAT and ACT scores in Nebraska
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 it436 | Share of the class2% | Average1270642 Reading and Writing, 628 Math | National average1045 |
| ACTClass of 2026 | Share of the class100% | Average18.8 | National average19.2 |
In the class of 2026, 436 Nebraska graduates (2% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1270 (642 in Reading and Writing, 628 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 2% of Nebraska'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 Nebraska graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.8, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Nebraska 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 1250 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.
Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: Nebraska · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026
Testing in Nebraska high schools
Every Nebraska public school junior takes the ACT in school as the state's grade 11 test.
Source: Nebraska Department of Education, NSCAS · Checked October 31, 2026
Nebraska merit scholarships
State programs for Nebraska 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.
Nebraska Career Scholarship - University of Nebraska
$10,000 to $25,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 20+ ACT, First-time freshman, ACT 20-27; First-time freshman enrolled in eligible program of study (designated workforce programs; special education)$10,000
- 28+ ACT, First-time freshman, ACT 28+; First-time freshman enrolled in eligible program of study (designated workforce programs; special education)$25,000
Nebraska Career Scholarship - Nebraska State Colleges
$15,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA or 18+ ACT, Test pathway (ACT 18) - alternative is HS GPA 3.0; First-time freshman or transfer; eligible program (rangeland mgmt, industrial tech, criminal justice, business admin, education, communication, ROTC, CIS, or designated programs)
Nebraska Career Scholarship - Private Colleges
$10,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA or 18+ ACT, Test pathway (ACT 18) - alternative is HS GPA 3.0; First-time freshman or transfer; eligible program (education, engineering, CCPE-designated shortage areas; page lists CIS, Education, Engineering, Healthcare, Mathematics); college's own criteria
National Merit in Nebraska
For the class of 2027, students in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
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 Nebraska-LincolnLincoln | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate88% | SAT, middle 50%1070 to 1310 | ACT, middle 50%21 to 28 |
| Creighton UniversityOmaha | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate92% | SAT, middle 50%1280 to 1410 | ACT, middle 50%26 to 31 |
| University of Nebraska at KearneyKearney | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate86% | SAT, middle 50%905 to 1125 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 25 |
| Nebraska Wesleyan UniversityLincoln | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate80% | SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1290 | ACT, middle 50%22 to 27 |
| Midland UniversityFremont | Test policyTest recommended | Acceptance rate66% | SAT, middle 50%963 to 1170 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 23 |
| York UniversityYork | Test policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 GPA | Acceptance rate52% | SAT, middle 50%880 to 1110 | ACT, middle 50%16 to 23 |
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 Nebraska
What is the average SAT score in Nebraska?
What is the average ACT score in Nebraska?
Do Nebraska high schools give the SAT or ACT?
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Nebraska Career Scholarship - University of Nebraska?
The Nebraska Career Scholarship - University of Nebraska counts SAT or ACT scores in these 2 ways to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 20+ ACT, First-time freshman, ACT 20-27; First-time freshman enrolled in eligible program of study (designated workforce programs; special education)
- 28+ ACT, First-time freshman, ACT 28+; First-time freshman enrolled in eligible program of study (designated workforce programs; special education)
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Nebraska Career Scholarship - Nebraska State Colleges?
The Nebraska Career Scholarship - Nebraska State Colleges counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 3.00+ GPA or 18+ ACT, Test pathway (ACT 18) - alternative is HS GPA 3.0; First-time freshman or transfer; eligible program (rangeland mgmt, industrial tech, criminal justice, business admin, education, communication, ROTC, CIS, or designated programs)
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Nebraska Career Scholarship - Private Colleges?
The Nebraska Career Scholarship - Private Colleges counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 3.00+ GPA or 18+ ACT, Test pathway (ACT 18) - alternative is HS GPA 3.0; First-time freshman or transfer; eligible program (education, engineering, CCPE-designated shortage areas; page lists CIS, Education, Engineering, Healthcare, Mathematics); college's own criteria
What is the National Merit cutoff in Nebraska?
Which colleges in Nebraska require the SAT or ACT?
Which colleges in Nebraska have the highest SAT scores?
Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.