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    SAT and ACT in Ohio

    Ohio graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1034 on the SAT (22% took it) and 19.2 on the ACT (66% took it). Ohio has 1 state merit scholarship that can count SAT or ACT scores: Governor's Merit Scholarship. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Ohio's class of 2027 is 216. We cover 40 colleges in Ohio. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT, 2 require a score only below a GPA cutoff, 35 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1034
    National Merit cutoff
    216
    state scholarship using scores
    1
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    1

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Ohio

    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 it31,008Share of the class22%Average1034523 Reading and Writing, 511 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class66%Average19.2National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 31,008 Ohio graduates (22% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1034 (523 in Reading and Writing, 511 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 66% of Ohio graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.2, against 19.2 nationally.

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

    Testing in Ohio high schools

    Ohio gives every public school junior a free ACT or SAT in school; each district picks which one.

    Source: Ohio Department of Education, ACT and SAT FAQs · Checked October 31, 2026

    Ohio merit scholarships

    State programs for Ohio 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.

    • Governor's Merit Scholarship

      $5,000 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • Homeschool / dropout prevention & recovery / nonchartered nonpublic applicants (top 5% of similar applicants by ACT/SAT); Apply via ODHE portal in senior year; homeschoolers upload superintendent's response to home-education notification; Selective Service if applicable; on-time graduation; junior on track at determination
      Details

    National Merit in Ohio

    For the class of 2027, students in Ohio needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 216 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 Ohio

    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.

    Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbusTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate49%SAT, middle 50%1300 to 1440ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnatiTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1340ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    Ohio University-Main CampusAthensTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%1130 to 1300ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Kent State University at KentKentTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate63%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1230ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Miami University-OxfordOxfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1378ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Bowling Green State University-Main CampusBowling GreenTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate81%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1210ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    University of ToledoToledoTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1245ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    University of Akron Main CampusAkronTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1200ACT, middle 50%17 to 25
    Youngstown State UniversityYoungstownTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1260ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    University of DaytonDaytonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1350ACT, middle 50%26 to 31
    Case Western Reserve UniversityClevelandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate35%SAT, middle 50%1440 to 1530ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Xavier UniversityCincinnatiTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1103 to 1310ACT, middle 50%22 to 29
    Cedarville UniversityCedarvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1380ACT, middle 50%22 to 29
    Franciscan University of SteubenvilleSteubenvilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.2 weighted GPAAcceptance rate58%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1350ACT, middle 50%22 to 29
    Oberlin CollegeOberlinTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate33%SAT, middle 50%1370 to 1480ACT, middle 50%30 to 33
    Baldwin Wallace UniversityBereaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1078 to 1263ACT, middle 50%24 to 28
    Ohio Northern UniversityAdaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1175 to 1400ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    Denison UniversityGranvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate20%SAT, middle 50%1270 to 1420ACT, middle 50%28 to 33
    John Carroll UniversityUniversity HeightsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1330ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Ashland UniversityAshlandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%1035 to 1208ACT, middle 50%20 to 25
    Otterbein UniversityWestervilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate85%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%22 to 28
    Tiffin UniversityTiffinTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%910 to 1110ACT, middle 50%15 to 21
    University of Mount UnionAllianceTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%910 to 1240ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Kenyon CollegeGambierTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate30%SAT, middle 50%1400 to 1495ACT, middle 50%31 to 34
    The College of WoosterWoosterTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1245 to 1440ACT, middle 50%27 to 32
    Show 15 more colleges
    Capital UniversityColumbusTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%900 to 1120ACT, middle 50%17 to 24
    Walsh UniversityNorth CantonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1280ACT, middle 50%20 to 27
    Muskingum UniversityNew ConcordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate82%SAT, middle 50%910 to 1105ACT, middle 50%17 to 22
    Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityMount VernonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1046 to 1315ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Wittenberg UniversitySpringfieldTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate80%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1275ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Mount St. Joseph UniversityCincinnatiTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate59%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1140ACT, middle 50%20 to 28
    Wilmington CollegeWilmingtonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate92%SAT, middle 50%850 to 1220ACT, middle 50%16 to 23
    Marietta CollegeMariettaTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate78%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1200ACT, middle 50%18 to 25
    Mercy College of OhioToledoTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%790 to 1010ACT, middle 50%15 to 20
    Wilberforce UniversityWilberforceTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate41%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    Malone UniversityCantonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%930 to 1180ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Ursuline CollegePepper PikeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate75%SAT, middle 50%1006 to 1133ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    Bluffton UniversityBlufftonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%860 to 1130ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Cleveland Institute of ArtClevelandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate61%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1280ACT, middle 50%23 to 29
    University of Akron Wayne CollegeOrrvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%830 to 1100ACT, 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

    See every state, or browse all Ohio colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Ohio

    What is the average SAT score in Ohio?
    In the class of 2026, 31,008 Ohio graduates (22% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1034 (523 in Reading and Writing, 511 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in Ohio?
    In the class of 2026, 66% of Ohio graduates took the ACT and averaged 19.2, against 19.2 nationally.
    Do Ohio high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Ohio gives every public school junior a free ACT or SAT in school; each district picks which one.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Ohio?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 216 or higher made a student in Ohio a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Ohio require the SAT or ACT?
    Ohio State University-Main Campus requires the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 2 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff: Franciscan University of Steubenville and Bluffton University.
    Which colleges in Ohio have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Ohio we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Case Western Reserve University (1440 to 1530), Kenyon College (1400 to 1495) and Oberlin College (1370 to 1480).

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