Best Test-Optional New England Colleges

There are 80 test-optional colleges in the New England, ranked using the same methodology as our national list. These schools do not require SAT or ACT scores with your application.

Amherst College leads New England test-optional rankings for 2027. The top rated public option is University of Connecticut. Also highly ranked: Williams College, Wellesley College and Middlebury College.

Without test scores, your GPA, activities, recommendation letters, and essays carry more weight. Compare acceptance rates, tuition, and enrollment across the colleges below. Explore the regional list below or browse individual states. See our ranking methodology for how schools are scored.

80 Results
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New England Test Optional Public Private 4 Year

  • Public 4 Year
  • Salem, MA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Jun 1 application deadline

Salem State is a public university known for undergraduate nursing, education, and social work. The campus sits in the historic coastal city of Salem north of Boston.

#11 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts 5/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 990-1160
  • Avg GPA 3.17
  • Acceptance Rate 96%
  • Net Price $17,541
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Boston, MA
  • | 0 reviews

Fisher is a private college known for undergraduate business, criminal justice, and hospitality management. The compact urban campus sits in Boston's Back Bay.

#31 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 800-1070
  • Avg GPA 2.72
  • Acceptance Rate 71%
  • Net Price $28,596
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Newton, MA
  • 4.8 | 18 reviews

Lasell is a private university known for undergraduate fashion design, merchandising, and business. The suburban Newton campus sits just outside Boston.

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1030-1158
  • Avg GPA 3.12
  • Acceptance Rate 81%
  • Net Price $27,773
Details
Rivier University Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Nashua, NH
  • | 0 reviews
  • Oct 16 application deadline

Rivier is a private Catholic university known for undergraduate nursing and education. The campus is in Nashua in southern New Hampshire.

#4 Best Private Colleges in New Hampshire 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 1055-1175
  • Avg GPA NA
  • Acceptance Rate 83%
  • Net Price $28,584
Details

  • Public 4 Year
  • Providence, RI
  • 2.5 | 2 reviews
  • Mar 15 application deadline

Rhode Island College is a public college known for undergraduate teacher education, nursing, and social work. The campus sits in a residential area on the north side of Providence.

#2 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island 4/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 870-1120
  • Predicted Avg GPA 3.08
  • Acceptance Rate 92%
  • Net Price $10,346
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Dudley, MA
  • | 0 reviews

Nichols is a private college known for undergraduate business, management, and sport management. The residential campus sits in the small town of Dudley in south-central Massachusetts.

#33 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts
  • SAT Range 1028-1236
  • Avg GPA 2.9
  • Acceptance Rate 81%
  • Net Price $32,337
Details

  • Private 4 Year
  • Bridgeport, CT
  • | 0 reviews

University of Bridgeport is a private university known for undergraduate engineering, business, and dental hygiene. The campus sits along Long Island Sound in the city of Bridgeport.

#10 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut 3/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 880-1115
  • Avg GPA 3.04
  • Acceptance Rate 83%
  • Net Price $28,498
Details
American International College Campus
 

  • Private 4 Year
  • Springfield, MA
  • | 0 reviews
  • Sep 7 application deadline

AIC is a private college known for undergraduate nursing, health sciences, and business. The urban campus sits in a residential section of Springfield.

#34 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts 0/10 Overall Rating
  • SAT Range 940-1110
  • Avg GPA 2.91
  • Acceptance Rate 100%
  • Net Price $23,086
Details