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. 

• Vermont leads the nation in test-optional colleges, with 73.3% no longer requiring SAT or ACT scores.
• Arizona ranks lowest, with only 16.7% of its higher education institutions classified as test-optional or test-free.
• High SAT participation states like Illinois and Michigan (96% and 97%) have some of the lowest test-optional college percentages, both under 28%.

Top 10 States With the Most Test-Optional Colleges

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:

• Alaska – 60.0%
• South Dakota – 56.0%
• North Dakota – 53.8%
• Maine – 52.6%
• Washington – 50.0%
• Wyoming – 50.0%
• Nebraska – 48.8%
• Connecticut – 47.4%
• Massachusetts – 46.6%

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.

Top 10 States With the Least Test-Optional Colleges

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:

• Arizona – 16.7%
• Louisiana – 17.1%
• Arkansas – 22.4%
• Mississippi – 23.2%
• Tennessee – 23.8%
• Oklahoma – 24.3%
• Illinois – 25.6%
• Florida – 25.7%
• Nevada – 26.3%
• New Mexico – 26.7%

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:

• Less Stress and Anxiety: Standardized testing can be a high-pressure environment. Test-optional policies reduce the weight of a single test day and allow students to present themselves more holistically.
• Lower Costs: Between registration fees and prep courses, the SAT and ACT can be expensive. Removing the requirement makes the application process more affordable.
• Greater Equity: Students from under-resourced schools or families may not have the same access to tutors, prep classes or multiple test sittings. Test-optional policies help level the playing field.
• More Flexibility: Without rigid score cutoffs, students can emphasize other strengths such as GPA, extracurriculars, personal essays and recommendations.
• Broader Opportunities: Students who don’t test well, but perform better in classroom environments, can gain access to colleges that might have been out of reach under traditional testing requirements.

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 examines test-free/test-optional policies for 2025–26 applicants to identify which states have the highest share of colleges that do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. To determine the total number of colleges per state, we used data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) College Navigator, including all public, private not-for-profit, and private for-profit degree-granting institutions. We then cross-referenced the FairTest Test-Optional List to identify how many of those institutions are classified as test-optional or test-free. The percentage of test-optional schools in each state was calculated by dividing the number of test-optional or test-free colleges by the total number of eligible institutions.