Test-Optional and Test-Blind Colleges 2023-2024 Admission Cycle

Some colleges and universities require applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. On the other hand, there are also those that leave it up to the students to decide whether or not to include their standardized test scores. And then there’s the fact, too, that some institutions do not care about SAT or ACT scores at all.

Confused as to whether you should submit yours? Then don’t stop reading now!

Below, you will come across a list of test-optional and test-blind schools for the 2023 admissions cycle.

Especially if you are planning on applying to numerous colleges, this post can help make things less stressful. By having an idea of whether or not you should submit your SAT or ACT scores, you can focus more on improving your applications.

Update: Columbia University becomes the first Ivy League college to go permanently test-optional in 2023.

But before I give you the list of institutions of higher education that are test-optional and test-blind for the academic year 2023 to 2024, let’s answer this pressing question…

Difference Between Test-Optional and Test-Blind Admissions

Simply put, test-optional colleges allow applicants to decide whether or not to submit their standardized test scores. Many test-optional schools encourage students to submit their SAT or ACT scores if available. On the other hand, test-blind colleges do not look at standardized test scores even if they are submitted.

SAT or ACT scores, just like high school GPAs, are some of the most important academic factors considered by admissions officers when evaluating applications.

Well, they used to be, at least.

test optional schools

A lot of today’s colleges and universities make the submission of standardized test scores either optional or unnecessary, making applying to college favorable for students who are unhappy with their SAT or ACT scores or were unable to undergo any of the standardized tests for whatever reason.

Applying to a test-required institution? Then you have no other choice but to submit your standardized test score whether you are deliriously proud of or totally embarrassed by it. Otherwise, your application won’t be considered.

But it’s a different thing if the school on your list has a test-optional policy.

Test-optional means it’s not mandatory for aspirants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. So, in other words, your application will be reviewed by the admissions officers no matter your decision. But the presence of the phrase “submission of test scores is encouraged” or something similar to this on the website changes everything.

If the test-optional school recommends the students to submit theirs, it’s a good idea to submit your standardized test scores because it could mean increased chances of getting admitted into it.

Read Also: When Should You Submit SAT/ACT for Test-Optional School

Meanwhile, test-blind means that there’s no need for applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. Also sometimes referred to as test-free or score-free, this policy renders SAT or ACT scores completely meaningless in the admissions process — they won’t be looked at. Even if you have perfect standardized test scores, they won’t impact admissions decisions.

90 Test-Optional Colleges for 2023-2024 Admission Cycle

Allegheny College

Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College, which is a private liberal arts college, is one of those test-optional schools that encourage applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores if available.

American University

According to the American University, which has an acceptance rate of 64%, a student’s academic performance in the classroom is the most important factor in its review of his or her application.

Amherst College

Students applying to Amherst College in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 — or classes of 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 — may or may not submit their standardized test scores, whether domestic or international.

Bard College

A private liberal arts college located in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, Bard College does not penalize in any way students who choose not to submit their SAT or Act scores during the application review process.

Barnard College

US News ranks Barnard College #18 in National Liberal Arts Colleges. The test-optional school, which accepts female students only, considers each applicant in the context of her school, community and individual story.

Bates College

Since 1984, Bates College, which is a private liberal arts college located in Lewiston, Maine and has an acceptance rate of 17% and an undergraduate population of 1,821, has implemented a test-optional admissions policy.

Baylor University

Chartered in 1845 by the last Congress of the Republic of Texas, Baylor University is a private Baptist Christian research university located in Waco, Texas ranked #77 in National Universities by US News.

Bennington College

Established in 1932 as a women’s college, Bennington College became co-educational in 1969. Its tuition and fees amount to $61,448. As of this writing, it has an undergraduate enrollment of 771.

Binghamton University

The State University of New York at Binghamton or simply Binghamton University is a public research university with a 930-acre suburban campus, which serves as home to a total of 14,307 undergraduate students.

Boston University

Some of the most popular majors in Boston University, which is a private research institution located in Boston, Massachusetts, include business, communications, engineering and social sciences.

Boston College

According to the admissions officers of Boston College themselves, students who are unable or choose not to submit their SAT or ACT scores will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process.

Bowdoin college

Bowdoin College

As of this writing, Bowdoin College, which is a private liberal arts college located in Brunswick, Maine that was chartered in 1794, does not require standardized test scores — it hasn’t in the past 50 years.

Brandeis University

A private research university located in Waltham, Massachusetts, Brandeis University is ranked by US News #44 in National Universities, #54 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and #41 in Best Value Schools.

Brown University

Considered the seventh-oldest institution of higher education in the US, Brown University has an acceptance rate of only 6% and an undergraduate enrollment of 7,349. Tuition and fees cost $65,146.

Bryn Mawr College

A part of the Seven Sister colleges, which is a group of elite, historically women’s colleges in the US, Bryn Mawr College is ranked #31 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #34 in Best Value Schools by US News.

Bucknell University

Located in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Bucknell University is a small private liberal arts college with a 449-acre campus with a rural setting, which serves as home to its 3,724 undergraduate students.

California Institute of Technology

It may not be an Ivy League school, but the California Institute of Technology is one of the most selective private research universities in the US. As a matter of fact, it has a very low acceptance rate of 4%.

Carnegie Mellon University

Resulting from the merging of the Carnegie Institute of Technology and the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, Carnegie Mellon University has an acceptance rate of 14% and a graduation rate of 79%.

Case Western Reserve University

US News ranks Case Western Reserve University #44 in National Universities. Tuition and fees at the private research university, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio, amount to $62,234.

Chapman University

Even though Chapman University has a test-optional policy, the average percentage of admits who submit their SAT or ACT scores is 72%. The acceptance rate at the private research university in Orange, California is 60%.

Clark University

Founded in 1887, Clark University was one of the first few modern private research universities in the US. Offering more than 30 majors, it has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,305.

Claremont McKenna College

Located in Claremont, California, Claremont McKenna College is a private liberal arts college that specializes in economics, finance and public affairs. It’s a member of the Claremont Colleges consortium.

Colby College

Biology, English and literature, general studies, physical sciences, social sciences — these are some of the most popular majors at Colby College, which is a private liberal arts college located in Waterville, Maine.

Colgate University

When it was founded in 1819, Colgate University was called the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York. Today, it has an acceptance rate of 17% and an undergraduate enrollment of 3,164.

Colorado College

US News ranks Colorado College #27 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #27 in Best Value Schools. Based on the latest rate, tuition and fees at the private liberal arts college amount to $65,028.

columbia university

Columbia University

One of the 8 Ivy Leagues, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher education in New York. In the US, on the other hand, it’s the fifth-oldest. The acceptance rate at this prestigious school is 6% only.

College of Charleston

A public liberal arts college located in Charleston, South Carolina, the College of Charleston is considered the oldest college in South Carolina. Offering 67 majors and 81 minors, it has an undergraduate population of 9,967.

Connecticut College

When Wesleyan University stopped accepting women in 1909, Connecticut College opened a couple of years after. Back then, it was called Connecticut College for Women. The school started accepting men in 1969.

Cornell University

Founded in 1865, Cornell University is an Ivy League school with an acceptance rate of 9%. US News ranks the institution, which is located in Ithaca, New York, #17 in National Universities.

Dartmouth College

One of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution, Dartmouth College is an Ivy League school. It has an acceptance rate of 6% and tuition and fees amounting to $62,430.

Davidson College

A private liberal arts college located in Davidson, North Carolina, Davidson College was founded in 1837 by the Concord Presbytery. It has a suburban campus measuring 665 acres and housing 1,973 undergraduate students.

Denison University

Some of the most popular majors at Denison University include biology, English and literature, psychology and social sciences. US News ranks the private liberal arts college #39 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

DePaul University

Founded by the Vincentians in 1898, DePaul University is a private, Catholic research university located in Chicago, Illinois. It offers more than 130 majors and has a high acceptance rate of 69%.

drexel university

Drexel University

A private research university whose main campus is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Drexel University is ranked by US News #105 in National Universities and #54 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.

Earlham College

As of this writing, tuition and fees at Earlham University cost $50,058. Its campus, which is home to a total of 658, measures 800 acres and has a city setting.

Elon University

Founded in 1889 as Elon College, Elon University consists of 6 schools. Some of the most popular majors at the private institution include business, communication and visual and performing arts.

Emerson College

Besides its main campus located in Boston, Massachusetts, Emerson College, which is a private institution, also has campuses in California and in the Netherlands. It was in 2017 when its US campuses became test-optional.

Franklin and Marshall College

Resulting from the merging of Franklin College and Marshall College, Franklin and Marshall College, which is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is a private liberal arts school with 2,145 undergraduate students.

Furman University

A private liberal arts university located in Greenville, South Carolina, Furman University is ranked #45 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and #29 in Best Undergraduate Teaching by US News.

George Washington University

Consisting of 7 undergraduate schools and colleges, George Washington University offers more than 75 majors. Its campus, which is located in Washington, DC, is 43 acres and has an urban setting.

Gettysburg College

The 225-acre campus of Gettysburg College, which is home to 2,401 undergraduate students and has a suburban setting, is right next to the Gettysburg Battlefield. The private liberal arts college has an acceptance rate of 56%.

Hamilton College

Founded in 1793 as Hamilton-Oneida Academy, Hamilton College is a private liberal arts college located in Oneida County, New York. Other than being test-optional, it’s also need-blind.

Harvard University

Harvard University

It’s no secret that Harvard University is a highly selective Ivy League school. As of this writing, the private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts is #5 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings.

Harvey Mudd

Focused on science and engineering, Harvey Mudd College is a private institution located in Claremont, California. It has an acceptance rate of 10% and a graduation rate of 88%.

Haverford College

Founded in 1833 as a men’s college, Haverford College became co-educational in 1980. US News ranks the private liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania #18 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

A private liberal arts college located in Geneva, New York, Hobart and William Smith Colleges enrolls 1,660 undergraduate students. Tuition and fees at the school amount to $61,635.

Indiana University

Considered one of the leading research universities in the US, Indiana University has campuses and medical centers across the state of Indiana. Its main campus, which is 1,953 acres, is located in Bloomington, Indiana.

Johns Hopkins University

Established in 1876, Johns Hopkins University is the oldest research university in the US and in the western hemisphere, too. It is ranked by US News #7 in National Universities and #9 in Best Value Schools.

Knox College

Located in Galesburg, Illinois, Knox College is a private liberal arts school with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,156 and tuition and fees amounting to $53,259. It has an acceptance rate of 71%.

Lafayette College

A private liberal arts college located in Easton, Pennsylvania, Lafayette College has an undergraduate enrollment of 2,725. It has a 340-acre suburban campus and an asking price of $58,618 in tuition and fees.

Lawrence University

Both a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music, Lawrence University is located in Appleton, Wisconsin. Ranked #63 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by US News, it has an acceptance rate of 75%.

Lehigh University

Some of the most popular majors at Lehigh University, which is a mid-sized private research university located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, include business, engineering and social sciences.

Lewis and Clark College

Originally chartered in 1867 and called the Albany Collegiate Institute in Albany, Oregon, Lewis and Clark College is now located in Portland, Oregon. US News ranks it #94 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Loyola Marymount University

Rooted in the Jesuit and Marymount traditions, Loyola Marymount University is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Its total number of undergraduate students amounts to 7,127.

Macalester College

Since 2021, Macalester College has been a test-optional school. Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the private liberal arts college has an acceptance rate of 31% and a graduation rate of 85%.

Marquette University

Undergraduate applicants to Marquette University can choose from 78 majors and 83 minors. Some of the most popular majors at the private Jesuit research university include health professions and social sciences.

Michigan State University

Founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, Michigan State University is a public land-grant research university ranked #77 in National Universities by US News.

Middlebury College

When it was founded in 1800, Middlebury College was the first operating institution of higher education in the state of Vermont. As of this writing, its undergraduate tuition and fees cost $62,460.

Mount Holyoke College

Considered the oldest member of the Seven Sisters colleges, Mount Holyoke College, according to the private liberal arts institution itself, is a women’s college that is gender diverse.

Muhlenberg College

Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Muhlenberg College is a private liberal arts college located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It currently enrolls 2,074 undergraduate students.

Northeastern University

Its website says that Northern University, whose campus is located in Boston, Massachusetts, is a global, experiential research institution built on a tradition of engagement with the world.

Northwestern University

Both undergraduate and transferee applicants to Northwestern University, which is the oldest chartered university in Illinois, may or may not submit their SAT or ACT scores.

Occidental College

Biology, foreign languages, psychology, social sciences, visual and performing arts — these are some of the most popular majors at Occidental College, which is a private liberal arts college located in Los Angeles, California.

Pennsylvania State University

More commonly known as Penn State University, this public land-grant research university was founded in 1855. With an acceptance rate of 58%, more than half of all applicants get admitted to it.

Pepperdine University

A private research university affiliated with the Churches of Christ, Pepperdine University is located in Los Angeles, California. US News ranks it #55 in National Universities.

Princeton University

The prestigious Princeton University, which is an Ivy League school, is #16 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings. On the other hand, it’s #16 in Best Global Universities 2023 by US News.

Providence College

A private Catholic university located in Providence, Rhode Island, Providence College was established in 1917. It has an acceptance rate of 58% and a US News ranking of #1 in Regional Universities North.

Pomona College

Located in Claremont, California, Pomona College is a private liberal arts college with an undergraduate enrollment of 1,764. It has a 140-acre campus with a suburban setting and an acceptance rate of 7%.

Rutgers University

Officially called Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, it’s a public land-grant research university with US News rankings of #55 in National Universities and #27 in Best Colleges for Veterans.

Saint Xavier University

Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, Saint Xavier University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Chicago, Illinois. With a total undergraduate enrollees of 3,101, its tuition and fees amount to $35,770.

Santa Clara University

Applicants to Santa Clara University, which is located in Santa Clara, California, can choose from over 50 minors and majors. Some of the most popular majors at the private Jesuit university are business, communications and engineering.

Sewanee: The University of the South

Owned by 28 southern dioceses of the Episcopal Church, Sewanee: The University of the South is a private liberal arts college. US News ranks it #51 in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Shippensburg University

A member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, Shippensburg University was founded in 1871 and later on became the first teachers’ college in the state. It has a very high acceptance rate of 94%.

Stanford website

Stanford University

Considered a Hidden Ivy and an Ivy Plus School, too, Stanford University is one of the most prestigious institutions in the US. As a matter of fact, it has an acceptance rate of 4% and a US News ranking of #3 in National Universities.

Stevenson University

A private university located in Baltimore County, Maryland, Stevenson University has 2 main campuses. It has a total number of 2,979 undergraduate students. Its tuition and fees cost $38,738.

Swarthmore College

Located in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Swarthmore College is a small private liberal arts college. Some of its most popular majors include English and literature, psychology and social sciences.

Syracuse University

Founded in 1870 and comprised of 13 schools and colleges, Syracuse University has its roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church. But since 1920, the private research university has been non-sectarian.

Temple University

It was in 1884 when Temple University, which is a public research university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was founded by a Baptist minister. Currently, it enrolls 25,967 undergraduate students.

Texas Christian University

Other than being a test-optional school, Texas Christian University, which is a private research university located in Fort Worth, Texas, also does not require applicants to meet a minimum high school GPA requirement.

Tufts University

Beginning the 2021 admissions cycle, Tufts University has been following a 3-year test-optional admissions policy. The private research university is ranked #32 in National Universities and #27 in Best Value Schools by US News.

University of Chicago

Every applicant — undergraduate, transferee or international — to the University of Chicago, which is ranked #6 in National Universities by US News, may or may not submit their test scores.

University of Miami

A private research university located in Coral Gables, Florida, the University of Miami has a 239-acre campus shared by its 12,089 undergraduate students. The private research university’s acceptance rate is 6%.

University of Michigan

According to the admissions officers at the University of Michigan, applicants who do not wish to submit their SAT or ACT scores may consider submitting their AP scores in order to increase their admissions chances.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Ranked #29 in National Universities by US News, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina with an acceptance rate of 19%.

University of Notre Dame

Offering about 75 degree programs, some of the most popular majors at the University of Notre Dame include accounting, economics, finance, information science and mathematics.

University of Pennsylvania

One of the 8 Ivy League schools, the University of Pennsylvania or Penn has an acceptance rate of 6%. It’s #13 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and #15 in Best Global Universities 2023 by US News.

University of Texas at Austin

Founded in 1883, the University of Texas at Austin is a public research university with an undergraduate enrollment of 40,916. Tuition and fees amount to $11,752 (in-state) and $40,996 (out-of-state).

Washington University in St. Louis

Founded in 1853 and named after George Washington, the private research university has an acceptance rate of 13% and a graduation rate of 87%. It’s #15 in National Universities by US News.

Wellesley College

Located in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Wellesley College is a private women’s liberal arts college. Its tuition and fees are $61,920, and it has an acceptance rate of 16%.

Yale University

Ranked #18 in the 2023 QS World University Rankings and #11 in Best Global Universities 2023 by US News, Yale University is an Ivy League school with an acceptance rate of 5% only.

27 Test-Blind Colleges for 2023 to 2024 Admission Cycle

  • Alaska Pacific University
  • Amberton University
  • American Academy of Art College
  • Augsburg University
  • Boise State University
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Catholic University
  • California Baptist University
  • California State University system
  • City University of New York system
  • Columbia College Chicago
  • Dickinson College
  • Eastern Washington University
  • Fontbonne University
  • Hampshire College
  • Loyola University New Orleans
  • Merrimack College
  • Minerva Schools at KGI
  • Neumann University
  • NewU University
  • North Carolina Wesleyan University
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Pennsylvania College of Art & Design
  • Pitzer College
  • Plymouth State University
  • Reed College
  • St. Mary’s University (Texas)
  • Stonehill College
  • University of California system
  • University of Charleston
  • University of Lynchburg
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of San Diego
  • Washington State University
  • Wells College
  • Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Read Next: How to Express Interest in a College


Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the College Reality Check.

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