Best Test-Optional U.S. Colleges

CollegeSimply ranks 976 four-year colleges that do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. These are the highest-ranked test-optional schools in the U.S., sorted by academic quality and student outcomes. Policies can vary by applicant and year, so confirm requirements on each school's website before applying.

Princeton University leads our 2027 test-optional rankings, ranked #1 nationally. The top rated public option is University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Also highly ranked: Duke University, University of Chicago and Rice University.

Without test scores, your GPA, activities, recommendation letters, and essays carry more weight. Compare acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment across the full list below. Filter by state or sort by selectivity to build your list. You can also explore matches by GPA on our college search by GPA. See our ranking methodology for how schools are scored.

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Test Optional Public Private 4 Year
Our Lady of the Lake University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • San Antonio, TX
  • | 0 reviews

Our Lady of the Lake is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate social work and education. The urban San Antonio campus is a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas
  • SAT Range 890-1070
  • Avg GPA 3.55
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $16,999
Details
The University of Texas at El Paso Campus

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  • Public 4 Year
  • El Paso, TX
  • | 0 reviews
  • May 1 application deadline

UTEP is a large public university known for undergraduate engineering. The campus features distinctive Bhutanese-style architecture in El Paso near the U.S.-Mexico border.

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas 0/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 860-1080
  • Avg GPA 3.3
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $9,305
Details
Eastern Mennonite University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Harrisonburg, VA
  • | 0 reviews

Eastern Mennonite is a private Mennonite university known for undergraduate peacebuilding and nursing. Students attend a residential campus in Harrisonburg in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley.

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia 0/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1040-1590
  • Avg GPA 3.7
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $25,021
Details
Mary Baldwin University Campus

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  • Private 4 Year
  • Staunton, VA
  • | 0 reviews

Mary Baldwin is a private university known for undergraduate liberal arts programs and the Virginia Women's Institute for Leadership. The residential campus is in the historic Shenandoah Valley city of Staunton.

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia
  • SAT Range 940-1120
  • Avg GPA 3.57
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $17,810
Details