SAT and ACT in West Virginia
West Virginia graduates in the class of 2026 averaged 918 on the SAT (98% took it) and 20.2 on the ACT (16% took it). West Virginia has 2 state merit scholarships that can count SAT or ACT scores: Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program and PROMISE Scholarship. The National Merit Semifinalist cutoff for West Virginia's class of 2027 is 208. We cover 11 colleges in West Virginia. For fall 2027, 1 requires the SAT or ACT and 8 let you choose whether to send a score.
- average SAT, class of 2026
- 918
- National Merit cutoff
- 208
- state scholarships using scores
- 2
- colleges requiring the SAT or ACT for fall 2027
- 1
Average SAT and ACT scores in West 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.
| Test | Graduates who took it | Share of the class | Average | National average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SATClass of 2026 | Graduates who took it16,965 | Share of the class98% | Average918480 Reading and Writing, 438 Math | National average1045 |
| ACTClass of 2026 | Share of the class16% | Average20.2 | National average19.2 |
In the class of 2026, 16,965 West Virginia graduates (98% of the class) took the SAT and averaged 918 (480 in Reading and Writing, 438 in Math), against 1045 nationally. Nearly every West Virginia student takes the SAT, so the average covers the whole class, not just students aiming at selective colleges.
In the class of 2026, 16% of West Virginia graduates took the ACT and averaged 20.2, against 19.2 nationally. Only 16% of West 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 900 SAT score gets you at colleges and in scholarships.
Sources: College Board, 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report: West Virginia · ACT, Average ACT Test Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2026
Testing in West Virginia high schools
Every West Virginia public school junior takes the SAT in school as the state test.
Source: West Virginia Department of Education, SAT School Day · Checked October 31, 2026
West Virginia merit scholarships
State programs for West Virginia 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.
Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program
$10,000 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.25+ GPA, Elementary or special education track; HS senior or recent grad with no prior degree-seeking enrollment; enroll in approved WV teacher-prep program; 5-year WV public school teaching service obligation, from West Virginia
- 3.25+ GPA, Math or science teaching track; HS senior or recent grad with no prior degree-seeking enrollment; enroll in approved WV teacher-prep program; 5-year WV public school teaching service obligation, from West Virginia
PROMISE Scholarship
$5,500 a year
State program · In-state students
- 3.00+ GPA, 1080+ SAT or 21+ ACT, Standard (single tier); Complete HS graduation requirements at a WV public or private HS; Promise application + FAFSA by March 1, 2027; full-time first-year; apply within 2 years of HS graduation; U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
National Merit in West Virginia
For the class of 2027, students in West Virginia needed a PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index of 208 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 West 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.
| College | Test policy | Acceptance rate | SAT, middle 50% | ACT, middle 50% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia UniversityMorgantown | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate89% | SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1210 | ACT, middle 50%20 to 26 |
| Marshall UniversityHuntington | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate97% | SAT, middle 50%940 to 1140 | ACT, middle 50%19 to 25 |
| Fairmont State UniversityFairmont | Test policyVaries by applicant | Acceptance rate99% | SAT, middle 50%810 to 1070 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 23 |
| Shepherd UniversityShepherdstown | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate97% | SAT, middle 50%878 to 1140 | ACT, middle 50%19 to 24 |
| West Liberty UniversityWest Liberty | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate97% | SAT, middle 50%890 to 1123 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 24 |
| Concord UniversityAthens | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate97% | SAT, middle 50%890 to 1110 | ACT, middle 50%18 to 23 |
| West Virginia State UniversityInstitute | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate96% | SAT, middle 50%760 to 1040 | ACT, middle 50%15 to 20 |
| Bluefield State UniversityBluefield | Test policyVaries by applicant | Acceptance rate97% | SAT, middle 50%870 to 1080 | ACT, middle 50%17 to 22 |
| West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyBeckley | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate37% | SAT, middle 50%880 to 1120 | ACT, middle 50%19 to 23 |
| West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeBuckhannon | Test policyTest optional | Acceptance rate93% | SAT, middle 50%892 to 1160 | ACT, middle 50%16 to 23 |
| Appalachian Bible CollegeMount Hope | Test policyTest required | Acceptance rate78% | SAT, middle 50%878 to 1106 | ACT, middle 50%21 to 23 |
To decide whether to send your score, compare it with each college's range in the submit or retake tool.
Other states
Common questions about the SAT and ACT in West Virginia
What is the average SAT score in West Virginia?
What is the average ACT score in West Virginia?
Do West Virginia high schools give the SAT or ACT?
What SAT or ACT score do you need for the PROMISE Scholarship?
The PROMISE Scholarship counts SAT or ACT scores in this way to qualify. The program's own page has every requirement.
- 3.00+ GPA, 1080+ SAT or 21+ ACT, Standard (single tier); Complete HS graduation requirements at a WV public or private HS; Promise application + FAFSA by March 1, 2027; full-time first-year; apply within 2 years of HS graduation; U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
What is the National Merit cutoff in West Virginia?
Which colleges in West Virginia require the SAT or ACT?
Which colleges in West Virginia have the highest SAT scores?
Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.