Sharp SAT prep home

    SAT and ACT in New Hampshire

    New Hampshire graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1025 on the SAT (83% took it) and 25.6 on the ACT (3% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for New Hampshire's class of 2027 is 215. We cover 6 colleges in New Hampshire. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT and 5 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1025
    National Merit cutoff
    215
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    1
    colleges covered
    6

    Average SAT and ACT scores in New Hampshire

    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 it12,559Share of the class83%Average1025529 Reading and Writing, 497 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class3%Average25.6National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 12,559 New Hampshire graduates (83% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1025 (529 in Reading and Writing, 497 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 3% of New Hampshire graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.6, against 19.2 nationally. Only 3% of New Hampshire'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: New Hampshire · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in New Hampshire high schools

    Every New Hampshire public school junior takes the SAT in school as the state test.

    Source: New Hampshire Department of Education, assessment · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in New Hampshire

    For the class of 2027, students in New Hampshire needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 215 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 New Hampshire

    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 New Hampshire-Main CampusDurhamTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1310ACT, middle 50%26 to 30
    Dartmouth CollegeHanoverTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate6%SAT, middle 50%1440 to 1550ACT, middle 50%32 to 35
    Saint Anselm CollegeManchesterTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1278ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Rivier UniversityNashuaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1055 to 1175ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Franklin Pierce UniversityRindgeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%1057 to 1282ACT, middle 50%Not published
    University of New Hampshire at ManchesterManchesterTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate81%SAT, middle 50%973 to 1236ACT, 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 New Hampshire colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in New Hampshire

    What is the average SAT score in New Hampshire?
    In the class of 2026, 12,559 New Hampshire graduates (83% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1025 (529 in Reading and Writing, 497 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in New Hampshire?
    In the class of 2026, 3% of New Hampshire graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.6, against 19.2 nationally. Only 3% of New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every New Hampshire public school junior takes the SAT in school as the state test.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in New Hampshire?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 215 or higher made a student in New Hampshire a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in New Hampshire require the SAT or ACT?
    Dartmouth College requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in New Hampshire have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in New Hampshire we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Dartmouth College (1440 to 1550), University of New Hampshire-Main Campus (1120 to 1310) and Franklin Pierce University (1057 to 1282).

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