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    SAT and ACT in Tennessee

    Tennessee graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1189 on the SAT (5% took it) and 18.7 on the ACT (100% took it). Tennessee has 4 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Ned McWherter Scholars Program, Aspire Award, General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS) and Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Tennessee's class of 2027 is 214. We cover 27 colleges in Tennessee. For fall 2027, 7 require the SAT or ACT, 3 require a score only below a GPA cutoff and 14 let you choose whether to send a score.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1189
    National Merit cutoff
    214
    state scholarships using scores
    4
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    7

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Tennessee

    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 it3,717Share of the class5%Average1189607 Reading and Writing, 582 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class100%Average18.7National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 3,717 Tennessee graduates (5% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1189 (607 in Reading and Writing, 582 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 5% of Tennessee'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 Tennessee graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.7, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Tennessee 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: Tennessee · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026

    Testing in Tennessee high schools

    Every Tennessee public school junior takes the ACT in school, and seniors can retake it free in the fall.

    Source: Tennessee Department of Education, 2025-26 testing calendar · Checked October 31, 2026

    Tennessee merit scholarships

    State programs for Tennessee 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.

    • Ned McWherter Scholars Program

      $6,000 a year

      State program · In-state students

      • 3.75+ GPA, 1430+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Competitive merit award; application with transcript through first semester of senior year and official ACT/SAT; competitive, limited funding
      Details

    • Aspire Award

      State program · In-state students

      Up to $750/semester (4-year) or up to $250/semester (2-year) in addition to HOPE

      • 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, Need-based HOPE supplement; meet HOPE requirements and parents' (or independent student's and spouse's) AGI of $36,000 or less
      Details

    • General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)

      State program · In-state students

      Up to $500/semester in addition to HOPE (including summer)

      • 3.75+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, HOPE supplement (TN public or category 1-3 private HS graduates); must meet HOPE Scholarship requirements; FAFSA, from Tennessee
      Details

    • Tennessee HOPE Scholarship

      State program · In-state students

      4-year (and 2-year with housing): up to $2,250/semester freshman & sophomore, up to $2,850/semester junior & senior; 2-year: up to $1,600/semester

      • 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, HOPE Scholarship (entering freshmen); enroll within 16 months of HS graduation; FAFSA
      Details

    National Merit in Tennessee

    For the class of 2027, students in Tennessee needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 214 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 Tennessee

    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.

    The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate44%SAT, middle 50%1280 to 1380ACT, middle 50%26 to 31
    Middle Tennessee State UniversityMurfreesboroTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate64%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1220ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    University of MemphisMemphisTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%915 to 1180ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaChattanoogaTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%983 to 1150ACT, middle 50%20 to 25
    East Tennessee State UniversityJohnson CityTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1200ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Tennessee Technological UniversityCookevilleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate79%SAT, middle 50%1040 to 1270ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    Austin Peay State UniversityClarksvilleTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate97%SAT, middle 50%843 to 1126ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Vanderbilt UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate5.4%SAT, middle 50%1510 to 1560ACT, middle 50%34 to 35
    Belmont UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1360ACT, middle 50%24 to 30
    The University of Tennessee-MartinMartinTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%970 to 1210ACT, middle 50%20 to 25
    Tennessee State UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate70%SAT, middle 50%880 to 1050ACT, middle 50%16 to 21
    Lipscomb UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate68%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1370ACT, middle 50%21 to 29
    Southern Adventist UniversityCollegedaleTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.8 GPAAcceptance rate66%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1300ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Lee UniversityClevelandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate71%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1230ACT, middle 50%20 to 27
    Rhodes CollegeMemphisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate52%SAT, middle 50%1360 to 1470ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    Trevecca Nazarene UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1235ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    The University of the SouthSewaneeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate56%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1360ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Union UniversityJacksonTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate60%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1390ACT, middle 50%22 to 30
    Lincoln Memorial UniversityHarrogateTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate63%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1210ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Bethel UniversityMcKenzieTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 2.3 weighted GPAAcceptance rate60%SAT, middle 50%830 to 1120ACT, middle 50%15 to 21
    Carson-Newman UniversityJefferson CityTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%955 to 1215ACT, middle 50%19 to 25
    Freed-Hardeman UniversityHendersonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate60%SAT, middle 50%952 to 1087ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Fisk UniversityNashvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate37%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1510ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    Christian Brothers UniversityMemphisTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1380ACT, middle 50%19 to 24
    The University of Tennessee SouthernPulaskiTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%905 to 1110ACT, middle 50%18 to 24
    Show 2 more colleges
    Milligan UniversityMilliganTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate72%SAT, middle 50%1133 to 1268ACT, middle 50%22 to 27
    Johnson UniversityKnoxvilleTest policyVaries by applicantAcceptance rate65%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1110ACT, middle 50%18 to 24

    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 Tennessee colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Tennessee

    What is the average SAT score in Tennessee?
    In the class of 2026, 3,717 Tennessee graduates (5% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1189 (607 in Reading and Writing, 582 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Only 5% of Tennessee'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.
    What is the average ACT score in Tennessee?
    In the class of 2026, 100% of Tennessee graduates took the ACT and averaged 18.7, against 19.2 nationally. Nearly every Tennessee student takes the ACT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
    Do Tennessee high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Every Tennessee public school junior takes the ACT in school, and seniors can retake it free in the fall.
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Ned McWherter Scholars Program?

    The Ned McWherter Scholars Program counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.75+ GPA, 1430+ SAT or 32+ ACT, Competitive merit award; application with transcript through first semester of senior year and official ACT/SAT; competitive, limited funding
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Aspire Award?

    The Aspire Award counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, Need-based HOPE supplement; meet HOPE requirements and parents' (or independent student's and spouse's) AGI of $36,000 or less
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)?

    The General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS) counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.75+ GPA, 1330+ SAT or 29+ ACT, HOPE supplement (TN public or category 1-3 private HS graduates); must meet HOPE Scholarship requirements; FAFSA, from Tennessee
    What SAT or ACT score do you need for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship?

    The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.

    • 3.00+ GPA, 1060+ SAT or 21+ ACT, HOPE Scholarship (entering freshmen); enroll within 16 months of HS graduation; FAFSA
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Tennessee?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 214 or higher made a student in Tennessee a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Tennessee require the SAT or ACT?
    The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Memphis, The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, The University of Tennessee-Martin, Tennessee State University and The University of Tennessee Southern require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 3 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff: Tennessee Technological University, Southern Adventist University and Bethel University.
    Which colleges in Tennessee have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Tennessee we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Vanderbilt University (1510 to 1560), Fisk University (1140 to 1510) and Rhodes College (1360 to 1470).

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