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The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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In recent years, test-optional colleges have reshaped the landscape of higher education by offering students greater flexibility in how they present themselves during the admissions process. As more institutions move away from mandatory SAT and ACT requirements, prospective students are navigating an evolving system that prioritizes holistic evaluation over standardized performance. This shift reflects a broader trend toward test-optional admissions — a model that recognizes the diverse strengths and experiences students bring to their academic journeys.
To better understand where these changes are most impactful, GCU, in collaboration with Grand Canyon Education, conducted a state-by-state analysis of test-optional colleges, examining which regions have embraced this approach most widely.
The expansion of test-optional colleges continues to reshape the college admissions process, with several states emerging as national leaders in offering more flexible application policies. At the forefront is Vermont, where 73.3% of the state’s colleges offer test-optional or test-free admissions. Following Vermont, many other states are making significant strides in this direction:
Several of these states — particularly in the Northeast and Upper Midwest — tend to have smaller student populations and a higher number of liberal arts institutions, which are often early adopters of test-optional admissions models.
While adoption of test-optional policies has grown nationally, some states continue to rely more heavily on standardized testing in college admissions. These states have the lowest percentage of colleges classified as test-optional or test-free:
These states are mostly located in the South and Southwest, where many colleges still require standardized testing for admission. While few Arizona colleges are test-optional, GCU is among those that do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission.
For many students, the shift toward test-optional or test-free admissions means more than just skipping a Saturday morning exam. It changes how accessible college can feel.
Some of the main reasons why choosing a test-optional college may benefit students include:
This shift reflects the growing recognition that potential can’t always be measured by a single number and it gives applicants more control over how they tell their story.
The rise of test-optional admissions reflects a broader shift toward more flexible college application processes. This study highlights just how much adoption varies by state — with some regions embracing test-optional policies quickly, while others continue to emphasize standardized testing as a central part of admissions.
GCU is part of this movement, offering admission without requiring SAT or ACT scores for campus students with an unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. With a wide range of degree programs and a focus on academic, personal and professional growth, GCU provides pathways for students to pursue their purpose with confidence and integrity.
This study, based on the test-free/test-optional policy for 2025-26 applicants, identifies which states have the highest share of test-optional colleges. We used the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator to determine the total number of colleges in each state and the FairTest Test-Optional List to find how many of those institutions no longer require SAT or ACT scores for admission. The percentage of test-optional schools was then calculated by dividing the number of test-optional or test-free colleges by the total number of colleges in each state.
