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    SAT and ACT in Virginia

    Virginia graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 1113 on the SAT (50% took it) and 25.1 on the ACT (6% took it). The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for Virginia's class of 2027 is 221. We cover 32 colleges in Virginia. For fall 2027, 2 require the SAT or ACT, 2 require a score only below a GPA cutoff, 27 let you choose whether to send a score and 1 doesn't look at scores.

    average SAT, class of 2026
    1113
    National Merit cutoff
    221
    colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
    2
    colleges covered
    32

    Average SAT and ACT scores in Virginia

    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 it51,981Share of the class50%Average1113566 Reading and Writing, 548 MathNational average1045
    ACTClass of 2026Share of the class6%Average25.1National average19.2

    In the class of 2026, 51,981 Virginia graduates (50% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1113 (566 in Reading and Writing, 548 in Math), against 1045 nationally.

    In the class of 2026, 6% of Virginia graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.1, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of Virginia'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 1100 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.

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

    Testing in Virginia high schools

    Virginia has had no statewide SAT day; some school divisions run one on their own.

    From 2026-27, a new state law (HB 410) requires every school division to offer SAT School Day. Students can't be required to take it.

    Source: Code of Virginia 22.1-79.10 · Checked October 31, 2026

    National Merit in Virginia

    For the class of 2027, students in Virginia needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 221 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 Virginia

    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.

    Liberty UniversityLynchburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate99%SAT, middle 50%Not publishedACT, middle 50%Not published
    Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate55%SAT, middle 50%1280 to 1450ACT, middle 50%28 to 32
    George Mason UniversityFairfaxTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1180 to 1360ACT, middle 50%25 to 31
    James Madison UniversityHarrisonburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate69%SAT, middle 50%1180 to 1330ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate93%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1260ACT, middle 50%22 to 30
    University of Virginia-Main CampusCharlottesvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate16%SAT, middle 50%1410 to 1510ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Old Dominion UniversityNorfolkTest policyTest blindAcceptance rate91%SAT, middle 50%1120 to 1270ACT, middle 50%24 to 29
    William & MaryWilliamsburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate37%SAT, middle 50%1390 to 1520ACT, middle 50%32 to 34
    Radford UniversityRadfordTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1140ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Norfolk State UniversityNorfolkTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate88%SAT, middle 50%823 to 1030ACT, middle 50%16 to 22
    Virginia State UniversityPetersburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate89%SAT, middle 50%840 to 1070ACT, middle 50%14 to 20
    Regent UniversityVirginia BeachTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate52%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1220ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Christopher Newport UniversityNewport NewsTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate86%SAT, middle 50%1060 to 1290ACT, middle 50%25 to 30
    Hampton UniversityHamptonTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.6 unweighted GPAAcceptance rate62%SAT, middle 50%790 to 1090ACT, middle 50%13 to 22
    University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1184 to 1340ACT, middle 50%27 to 31
    Longwood UniversityFarmvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate90%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1210ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    University of RichmondUniversity of RichmondTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate22%SAT, middle 50%1420 to 1490ACT, middle 50%33 to 34
    Washington and Lee UniversityLexingtonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate14%SAT, middle 50%1430 to 1530ACT, middle 50%33 to 34
    Roanoke CollegeSalemTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate83%SAT, middle 50%1090 to 1300ACT, middle 50%24 to 31
    Randolph-Macon CollegeAshlandTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate87%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1215ACT, middle 50%21 to 27
    University of LynchburgLynchburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate43%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1230ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Virginia Military InstituteLexingtonTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate74%SAT, middle 50%1050 to 1270ACT, middle 50%24 to 31
    Bridgewater CollegeBridgewaterTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate92%SAT, middle 50%1020 to 1360ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Averett UniversityDanvilleTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate57%SAT, middle 50%926 to 1143ACT, middle 50%15 to 28
    Virginia Union UniversityRichmondTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate98%SAT, middle 50%850 to 885ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Show 7 more colleges
    University of Virginia's College at WiseWiseTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate29%SAT, middle 50%945 to 1120ACT, middle 50%18 to 22
    Emory & Henry UniversityEmoryTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate84%SAT, middle 50%1051 to 1223ACT, middle 50%20 to 26
    Hampden-Sydney CollegeHampden-SydneyTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate41%SAT, middle 50%1030 to 1250ACT, middle 50%23 to 28
    Hollins UniversityRoanokeTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate67%SAT, middle 50%1110 to 1250ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Randolph CollegeLynchburgTest policyTest optionalAcceptance rate94%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1210ACT, middle 50%19 to 26
    Sweet Briar CollegeSweet BriarTest policyTest optionalRequired below a 3.0 GPAAcceptance rate76%SAT, middle 50%1100 to 1310ACT, middle 50%Not published
    Patrick Henry CollegePurcellvilleTest policyTest requiredAcceptance rate77%SAT, middle 50%1240 to 1420ACT, middle 50%27 to 33

    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 Virginia colleges.

    Common questions about the SAT and ACT in Virginia

    What is the average SAT score in Virginia?
    In the class of 2026, 51,981 Virginia graduates (50% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 1113 (566 in Reading and Writing, 548 in Math), against 1045 nationally.
    What is the average ACT score in Virginia?
    In the class of 2026, 6% of Virginia graduates took the ACT and averaged 25.1, against 19.2 nationally. Only 6% of Virginia'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 Virginia high schools give the SAT or ACT?
    Virginia has had no statewide SAT day; some school divisions run one on their own. From 2026-27, a new state law (HB 410) requires every school division to offer SAT School Day. Students can't be required to take it.
    What is the National Merit cutoff in Virginia?
    For the class of 2027, a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 221 or higher made a student in Virginia a National Merit Semifinalist. Commended Students needed 208 in every state.
    Which colleges in Virginia require the SAT or ACT?
    Virginia Union University and Patrick Henry College require the SAT or ACT for fall 2027. 2 colleges require a score only from applicants below a GPA cutoff: Hampton University and Sweet Briar College.
    Which colleges in Virginia have the highest SAT scores?
    Among the colleges in Virginia we cover, the middle 50% of freshmen scored highest at Washington and Lee University (1430 to 1530), William & Mary (1390 to 1520) and University of Virginia-Main Campus (1410 to 1510).

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