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    SAT and ACT in North Carolina

    North Carolina graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1177 on the SAT (23% took it) and 18.4 on the ACT (94% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for North Carolina's class of 2027 is 217. We cover 34 colleges in North Carolina. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT, 16 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 17 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1177
    National Merit cutoff
    217
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    1
    colleges covered
    34

    Average SAT and ACT scores in North Carolina

    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 it27,393Share of the class23%Average1177593 Reading and Writing, 584 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class94%Average18.4National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 27,393 North Carolina graduates (23% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1177 (593 in Reading and Writing, 584 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 94% of North Carolina graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.4, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every North Carolina 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 1200 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in North Carolina high schools

    Every North Carolina public school junior takes the ACT in school, and 10th graders take the PreACT.

    Source: NC Department of Public Instruction, 2025-26 testing report · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in North Carolina

    For the class of 2027, students in North Carolina needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 217 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 North Carolina

    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.

    North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleighTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate40%SAT, middle 50%1310 to 1440ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotteTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1150 to 1340ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel HillTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate17%SAT, middle 50%1400 to 1530ACT, middle 50%29 to 34
    East Carolina UniversityGreenvilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1220ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Appalachian State UniversityBooneTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1270ACT, middle 50%20 to 27
    University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmingtonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1350ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1310ACT, middle 50%21 to 26
    North Carolina A & T State UniversityGreensboroTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate50%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1190ACT, middle 50%17 to 23
    Western Carolina UniversityCullowheeTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%1090 to 1250ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Elon UniversityElonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate63%SAT, middle 50%1190 to 1340ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    Duke UniversityDurhamTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate5.2%SAT, middle 50%1510 to 1570ACT, middle 50%34 to 35
    Fayetteville State UniversityFayettevilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%890 to 1090ACT, middle 50%15 to 19
    Wake Forest UniversityWinston-SalemTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate21%SAT, middle 50%1420 to 1490ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    University of North Carolina at PembrokePembrokeTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate97%SAT, middle 50%835 to 1068ACT, middle 50%14 to 20
    High Point UniversityHigh PointTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1320ACT, middle 50%24 to 33
    Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-SalemTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%830 to 1020ACT, middle 50%15 to 20
    University of North Carolina AshevilleAshevilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1015 to 1270ACT, middle 50%19 to 27
    Wingate UniversityWingateTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1210ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Elizabeth City State UniversityElizabeth CityTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%920 to 1080ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Davidson CollegeDavidsonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate13%SAT, middle 50%1410 to 1500ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling SpringsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%975 to 1198ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Methodist UniversityFayettevilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1250ACT, middle 50%22 to 27
    Belmont Abbey CollegeBelmontTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1200ACT, middle 50%18 to 26
    Catawba CollegeSalisburyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1250ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Queens University of CharlotteCharlotteTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate62%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1340ACT, middle 50%20 to 27
    Show 9 more colleges
    Meredith CollegeRaleighTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1098 to 1348ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    Guilford CollegeGreensboroTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1260ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    University of North Carolina School of the ArtsWinston SalemTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 weighted GPAAcceptance rate30%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1370ACT, middle 50%22 to 29
    Brevard CollegeBrevardTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate42%SAT, middle 50%870 to 1220ACT, middle 50%16 to 26
    William Peace UniversityRaleighTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%1080 to 1225ACT, middle 50%22 to 27
    Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryWake ForestTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1250ACT, middle 50%21 to 24
    Salem CollegeWinston-SalemTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1066 to 1243ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Bennett CollegeGreensboroTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate51%SAT, middle 50%820 to 1060ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Mid-Atlantic Christian UniversityElizabeth CityTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.5 GPAAcceptance rate62%SAT, middle 50%830 to 1210ACT, 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 North Carolina colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in North Carolina

    What is the average SAT score in North Carolina?
    In the class of 2026, 27,393 North Carolina graduates (23% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1177 (593 in Reading and Writing, 584 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in North Carolina?
    In the class of 2026, 94% of North Carolina graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.4, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every North Carolina student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    Do North Carolina high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every North Carolina public school junior takes the ACT in school, and 10th graders take the PreACT.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in North Carolina?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 217 or higher made a student in North Carolina a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in North Carolina require the SAT or ACT?
    Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 16 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff.
    Which colleges in North Carolina have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in North Carolina we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Duke University (1510 to 1570), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1400 to 1530) and Davidson College (1410 to 1500).

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