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    SAT and ACT in New Jersey

    New Jersey graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1069 on the SAT (68% took it) and 25.4 on the ACT (7% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for New Jersey's class of 2027 is 223. We cover 16 colleges in New Jersey. For fall 2027, 16 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1069
    National Merit cutoff
    223
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    0
    colleges covered
    16

    Average SAT and ACT scores in New Jersey

    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 it74,209Share of the class68%Average1069539 Reading and Writing, 530 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class7%Average25.4National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 74,209 New Jersey graduates (68% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1069 (539 in Reading and Writing, 530 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 7% of New Jersey graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.4, against 19.2 nationally. Only 7% of New Jersey'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 1050 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in New Jersey high schools

    New Jersey's high school test is the NJGPA, not the SAT or ACT (though SAT and ACT scores can meet the graduation requirement), so students who want a score sign up for a national SAT or ACT date on their own.

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

    National Merit in New Jersey

    For the class of 2027, students in New Jersey needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 223 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 Jersey

    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.

    Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew BrunswickTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate58%SAT, middle 50%1310 to 1500ACT, middle 50%28 to 33
    Montclair State UniversityMontclairTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%850 to 1160ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Rowan UniversityGlassboroTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1300ACT, middle 50%23 to 30
    Kean UniversityUnionTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1150ACT, middle 50%Not published
    New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewarkTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1460ACT, middle 50%27 to 34
    Stockton UniversityGallowayTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1230ACT, middle 50%21 to 25
    The College of New JerseyEwingTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1330ACT, middle 50%26 to 31
    Seton Hall UniversitySouth OrangeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate73%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1390ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    Princeton UniversityPrincetonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate4.4%SAT, middle 50%1490 to 1560ACT, middle 50%34 to 35
    Ramapo College of New JerseyMahwahTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%1145 to 1280ACT, middle 50%22 to 30
    Stevens Institute of TechnologyHobokenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate51%SAT, middle 50%1370 to 1470ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Rutgers University-CamdenCamdenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1300ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Monmouth UniversityWest Long BranchTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1310ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    Rider UniversityLawrencevilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1320ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Caldwell UniversityCaldwellTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1370ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Drew UniversityMadisonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%1103 to 1338ACT, middle 50%24 to 30

    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 Jersey colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in New Jersey

    What is the average SAT score in New Jersey?
    In the class of 2026, 74,209 New Jersey graduates (68% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1069 (539 in Reading and Writing, 530 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in New Jersey?
    In the class of 2026, 7% of New Jersey graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.4, against 19.2 nationally. Only 7% of New Jersey'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 Jersey high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    New Jersey's high school test is the NJGPA, not the SAT or ACT (though SAT and ACT scores can meet the graduation requirement), so students who want a score sign up for a national SAT or ACT date on their own.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in New Jersey?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 223 or higher made a student in New Jersey a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in New Jersey require the SAT or ACT?
    None of the 16 colleges in New Jersey we cover require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027.
    Which colleges in New Jersey have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in New Jersey we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Princeton University (1490 to 1560), Rutgers University-New Brunswick (1310 to 1500) and Stevens Institute of Technology (1370 to 1470).

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