Colleges in the South that are Test Optional
By Lynne Fuller, Founder of College Flight Path
Last reviewed: April 2026 | Policies change each admissions cycle. Always verify directly with each school before applying.
Whether you are building your college list from scratch or narrowing down your final options, knowing which colleges in the South that are test optional gives you a genuine strategic advantage. Testing policies across the region shifted dramatically between 2020 and 2026, and many families are working with outdated information.
Some schools that were fully tested optional two years ago now require scores. Others have kept their doors open to applicants without SAT or ACT results. This guide sorts through the noise, state by state, and then helps you decide what submitting scores actually means for your specific situation.
Are Southern Colleges Still Test Optional in 2026?
Many private colleges in the South remain fully test-optional heading into the 2026 and 2027 application cycles. The picture is more complicated at public universities, where state systems and governing boards have moved faster than private institutions to reinstate testing requirements.
The most significant changes in the region involve the University System of Georgia, the State University System of Florida, and Auburn University. Each of these has either already reinstated SAT/ACT requirements or announced a phase-back to mandatory testing. Families targeting flagship public schools in these states need a testing plan, regardless of what the school's policy said when they began their college search.
Private colleges, HBCUs, and smaller liberal arts institutions across the South have largely held to test-optional policies, and several flagship private universities, including Vanderbilt, Duke, Emory, and Wake Forest, remain test-optional through at least 2026.
The short answer: Many colleges in the South that are test-optional still exist, but the number is shrinking at the public flagship level. Verify every school on your list before you decide whether to test.
What Test Optional Actually Means (and What It Doesn't)
"Test optional" means you can choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you choose not to submit, the college evaluates your application using every other component, weighted and unweighted GPA, course rigor, essays, activities, and recommendations.
What does “ test-optional “ mean:
Test irrelevant. Admissions offices still value scores. Test-optional colleges often show that 60 to 80 percent of enrolled students submitted scores anyway.
Scholarship optional. Many schools that do not require scores for admission still require them for merit scholarships, honors college consideration, or nursing and direct-admit programs.
One-size-fits-all. Some schools attach GPA floors to their test-optional status. A student with a 2.5 GPA may be required to submit scores at a school that is technically listed as test-optional.
There is also a difference between test-optional, test-flexible, and test-free. Test flexible schools may accept AP or IB scores in place of the SAT or ACT. Test-free (or test blind) schools ignore scores entirely, even if submitted. Most colleges in the South fall into the test-optional category, not the test-free category, so submitting a strong score can still move the needle.
| State | Test-Optional Private Schools | Public System Status | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | William & Mary, UVA, Virginia Tech, JMU, GMU, VCU, Roanoke, Lynchburg, VMI | Mixed | Virginia Tech test optional through Fall 2028; VCU requires scores for Honors College direct admits. |
| North Carolina | Wake Forest, Davidson, Duke, Warren Wilson, Catawba, High Point, Elon | GPA threshold applies | UNC system requires scores unless weighted GPA is 2.8 or above. |
| South Carolina | Furman, Wofford, Converse | Mixed | Coastal Carolina requires 3.5 GPA to go test optional; USC test optional through Fall 2026. |
| Georgia | Emory, Berry, SCAD, Spelman, Clark Atlanta | Mostly required | UGA and Georgia Tech always required; 6 more USG schools require scores starting Fall 2026. |
| Florida | Rollins, University of Tampa, Stetson, Eckerd, Embry-Riddle, Lynn, Ringling, Barry, Beacon | Required | Entire State University System of Florida reinstated SAT/ACT; University of Miami reinstating Fall 2026. |
| Alabama | University of Alabama, Alabama A&M | Mixed | Auburn requires 3.6+ GPA for test-optional status; full requirement returns Fall 2027. |
| Tennessee | Vanderbilt, Belmont, Sewanee, Rhodes, Fisk | Required | UT System requires scores for all first-year applicants. |
| Mississippi | Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Jackson State | Mixed | Ole Miss requires scores for resident students or GPAs below 3.2. |
| Kentucky | University of Louisville, Berea, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky, EKU, Alice Lloyd | Mixed | UK test optional through Class of 2028; WKU requires GPA above 2.5. |
| Arkansas | University of Arkansas, University of the Ozarks | Mixed | U of A requires 3.2+ GPA to go test optional. |
Test-Optional Colleges in Virginia
Virginia has one of the strongest clusters of test-optional institutions in the South, spanning large public universities and small private colleges.
William & Mary: test optional for first-year applicants
University of Virginia: test optional for Fall 2026 entrants
Virginia Tech: test optional through Fall 2028
James Madison University: test optional
George Mason University: score optional
Virginia Commonwealth University: test optional for general admission; scores required for Honors College guaranteed admissions programs
Virginia Military Institute: test optional for the current application cycle; scores are part of the review process
Roanoke College: test optional
University of Lynchburg: test optional for first-year students
Virginia's public universities have shown more consistency on test-optional status than Georgia or Florida. That said, families should confirm status each year, as pressure from state legislatures may influence future cycles.
Test-Optional Colleges in North Carolina
North Carolina has an important wrinkle: the UNC System officially allows students with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above to apply without scores. Students with a weighted GPA between 2.5 and 2.8 must submit scores. Students below 2.5 are not covered by the waiver.
Private colleges in the state have held firm on test-optional policies:
Duke University: test optional for 2025-26 applicants
Wake Forest University: test optional
Davidson College: test optional
Elon University: test optional; direct nursing admissions requires scores
High Point University: test optional
Catawba College: test optional
Warren Wilson College: test optional
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte: test optional
UNC System schools covered by the GPA-based waiver includeUNC-Chapel Hill,NC State,UNC Asheville,UNC Wilmington,UNC Charlotte,UNC Greensboro,UNC Pembroke,Appalachian State,East Carolina University, and several others. Note that UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State both require a minimum 2.8 GPA to apply without scores, per recent College Sage reporting.
Test-Optional Colleges in South Carolina
Furman University: test optional
Wofford College: test optional
College of Charleston: test optional
Converse University: test optional
University of South Carolina: test optional through Fall 2026
Winthrop University: test optional
Coastal Carolina University: requires a 3.5 GPA to qualify for test-optional status; otherwise scores are expected
Clemson University: test optional; confirm current cycle status before applying
Test-Optional Colleges in Georgia
Georgia's public university landscape changed significantly for Fall 2026.
The University System of Georgia board voted to reinstate SAT/ACT requirements at seven institutions: University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, Georgia College and State University, Augusta University, Kennesaw State University, and Georgia Southern University. The remaining 19 USG institutions retain test-optional flexibility.
Private and specialized institutions in Georgia that remain test-optional:
Emory University: remains test optional for 2025-26
Berry College: test optional
Spelman College: test optional
Clark Atlanta University: test optional
SCAD: test optional
Test-Optional Colleges in Florida
The State University System of Florida reinstated standardized testing requirements for all applicants. This affects the University of Florida,Florida State University, Florida International University, the University of South Florida, and other public campuses statewide.
Florida's private colleges show a different picture:
Rollins College: test optional
University of Tampa: test optional
Stetson University: test optional
Eckerd College: test optional
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: test optional
Lynn University: test optional
Ringling College of Art and Design: test optional
Barry University: test optional
Beacon College: test optional
Nova Southeastern University: reinstating standardized testing starting Fall 2026
University of Miami: reinstating standardized testing starting Fall 2026
Families with Florida public universities on their list should prioritize SAT or ACT preparation now. For a deeper look at how to approach test scores and application paperwork, the CFP blog has a step-by-step walkthrough.
Test-Optional Colleges in Alabama
University of Alabama: test optional through Fall 2026; starting with the 2027 entering class, students with a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be required to submit scores
Alabama A&M University: test-optional waiver available
Tuskegee University: test optional for students with a GPA of 3.0 or above
Auburn University: test optional for Fall 2026 applicants with a GPA of 3.6 or above; SAT or ACT scores become mandatory for all Fall 2027 applicants
Auburn's phase-back to full testing requirements is worth watching. The university is joining Florida, Georgia's flagships, and the Tennessee system in returning to mandatory testing. Students applying to Auburn for Fall 2027 will need scores regardless of GPA.
Test-Optional Colleges in Tennessee
Vanderbilt University: test optional through Fall 2027
Belmont University: test optional
Sewanee: The University of the South: test optional
Rhodes College: test optional
Fisk University: test optional
Note: The University of Tennessee System, including UT Knoxville, requires standardized test scores for all first-year applicants.
Test-Optional Colleges in Mississippi, Kentucky, and Arkansas
Mississippi
University of Mississippi: test optional for nonresident students with a GPA of 3.2 or above; scores strongly recommended otherwise
Mississippi State University: test optional for admission; encouraged for scholarships
Jackson State University: test optional
Kentucky
University of Louisville: test optional
University of Kentucky: test optional through the Class of 2028
Berea College: test optional
Eastern Kentucky University: not required but encouraged
Western Kentucky University: test optional for students with a GPA above 2.5
Alice Lloyd College: test optional; scores required for honors program consideration
Arkansas
University of Arkansas: test optional for students with a GPA of 3.2 or above
University of the Ozarks: test optional
Southern Colleges That Now Require SAT or ACT Scores
The following schools have reinstated or are reinstating testing requirements. Confirm each policy on the school's official admissions page before finalizing your college list.
Already Required as of 2025-26
University of Florida, Florida State University, Florida International University, University of South Florida, and all State University System of Florida campuses
University of Tennessee System, including UT Knoxville
Required Starting Fall 2026
Required Starting Fall 2027
Auburn University: for all applicants, regardless of GPA
Should You Submit SAT or ACT Scores to a Test-Optional College?
This is the question that matters most once you have your list. The honest answer is: it depends on how your scores compare to what enrolled students at each school typically submit.
Here is a practical framework for making the call:
Submit your scores if:
Your SAT or ACT falls within or above the school's middle 50 percent range for enrolled students. Most schools publish this in their Common Data Set.
You are applying without a strong GPA and need something to offset that weakness.
The school awards merit scholarships based on test scores, or the honors college requires them for consideration.
You are applying to a program with direct-admit or competitive entry requirements, such as nursing, engineering, or business.
You are a homeschooled student or an international applicant where a score helps contextualize your academic record.
Hold your scores if:
Your score falls below the school's middle 50 percent range. Submitting a weak score is worse than submitting nothing.
Your GPA, course rigor, and extracurricular record are genuinely strong and tell a compelling story on their own.
The school is fully test free or test blind, meaning scores are not considered even when submitted.
One useful data check: look at the percentage of enrolled students who submitted scores in recent years. Even at test-optional schools, that number often runs between 60 and 80 percent. A school where 75 percent of accepted students submitted scores is not the same, in practice, as a school where 40 percent did.
For a full breakdown of timing and strategy, the guide to when to submit SAT or ACT scores walks through every scenario in detail.
Strong scores also open doors beyond admission. At many test-optional schools, scholarships and honors placement still require competitive SAT or ACT results. Families focused on scholarships and paying for college without taking on excessive debt should factor this into any decision to skip testing entirely.
If you are unsure whether your scores strengthen or weaken your application at a specific school, that is exactly the kind of question a college counselor can answer with data. College Flight Path's college counseling team and test prep services are designed to help students build a testing strategy that serves their specific college list, not a generic one.
Ready to Build Your Plan? Here Is Where to Go Next
Knowing which colleges in the South are test optional is only the first step. The decisions that follow, whether to test, where to apply, how to pay for it, and how to put together a strong application, all connect.
The resources and services below are organized by where you are in that process.
Your Testing Strategy
The shift back toward required testing at many Southern public universities means most students applying to a school in this region should have a testing plan, even if their top choices are test-optional. Strong scores can also unlock merit scholarships and honors college placement that test-optional policies do not cover.
Test Prep Services: CFP's test prep support helps students build targeted SAT and ACT preparation plans based on their actual college list, not a generic scoring goal.
CFP Bootcamp + Mister SAT: An intensive application and test prep bootcamp for students who need focused preparation alongside their senior-year application work.
When to Submit SAT or ACT Scores: A detailed breakdown of how to decide, school by school, whether submitting your scores strengthens or weakens your application.
The Test-Optional Conundrum: An honest look at what test-optional policies actually mean in practice, including when "optional" carries more weight than the word suggests.
AP and IB Exams: At test-flexible schools, AP and IB scores can satisfy testing requirements. This post explains how that pathway works and which schools accept it.
How to Calculate Your GPA: Because many test-optional policies attach GPA thresholds, knowing your weighted and unweighted GPA before you apply is not optional.
Building Your Southern College List
Once you know which schools are test-optional and which require scores, the next step is building a balanced list that accounts for your testing profile, GPA, interests, and budget.
College Counseling Services: CFP's college counselors help students build a college list grounded in data, not rankings, and map out an application strategy that reflects each student's actual strengths.
How to Build a College List: A practical framework for building a balanced list with reach, target, and likely schools, including how testing policies should factor into your decisions.
Choosing the Right College for You: Goes beyond test policies to cover fit factors: size, location, cost, programs, and campus culture.
The Fickle Nature of Selectivity in Admissions: Why admission rates at Southern schools are changing, and what that means for how you build and sequence your list.
Plan Your College Tours: If you are targeting Southern schools, visiting matters. CFP offers college tour planning support to help families make the most of campus visits.
College Visit Checklist: The questions to ask and details to notice on every campus visit, particularly at schools where you are deciding whether testing will help your chances.
Free College Tracker Spreadsheet: Track every school on your list, including test policies, GPA thresholds, scholarship requirements, and deadlines, all in one place.
The Application Process
A clear understanding of testing policy is one piece of a larger application picture. These resources cover the rest of what goes into a competitive application.
College Application Process Overview: A full walkthrough of every stage of the application process, from building your list to submitting your materials.
College Application Checklist: A task-by-task checklist to keep your application organized across multiple schools and deadlines.
Application Paperwork Guide: What to request, when to request it, and how to manage transcripts, score reports, and letters of recommendation.
Requesting Transcripts, Test Scores, and Letters of Recommendation: The logistics of getting your application materials where they need to go, including how score reporting works at test-optional schools.
Understanding Application Deadlines: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Admission all work differently. This post breaks down what each deadline means and how to sequence your applications.
What to Do After Submitting Your Application: How to manage the waiting period strategically, including demonstrating interest and tracking your applications.
What Is Guaranteed Admissions?: Several Southern schools offer direct-admit programs that often require scores even when the general admissions policy is test optional. This post explains how those programs work.
Best Extracurriculars for College Applications: At test-optional schools, extracurricular depth carries more weight. This post covers what admissions officers actually look for.
College Brag Sheet Template: A structured template to help you and your recommenders capture everything that belongs in a strong application.
Free Brag Sheet Download: The downloadable version of the CFP brag sheet, ready to fill out and share with teachers, counselors, and recommenders.
Free Application Checklist Download: A downloadable checklist to track every required application component across all of your schools.
Self-Guided Senior Flight Log Course: A structured self-guided course for seniors who want expert guidance on every stage of the application process without full one-on-one counseling.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and the Real Cost of Your Choice
Test scores often determine scholarship eligibility, even at schools that do not require them for admission. Families building a financial strategy alongside a college list need to understand how merit aid and need-based aid interact with testing policies.
Financial Aid Services: CFP helps families understand their Expected Family Contribution, compare financial aid packages, and build a college list that is affordable, not just aspirational.
Paying for College: A comprehensive breakdown of how to fund a college education, including the role test scores play in merit scholarship decisions.
Finding Scholarships for Incoming College Freshmen: Where to look for institutional and external scholarships, and how strong SAT/ACT scores can increase your eligibility even at test-optional schools.
How to Negotiate College Financial Aid: What to do when the financial aid offer does not reflect your family's actual situation, including the leverage testing improvements can create.
How to Avoid College Debt: Strategies for choosing schools and aid packages that limit long-term debt, with a focus on the merit aid picture at test-optional schools.
FAFSA Updates: Current guidance on the FAFSA process and what families need to know about completing it accurately and on time.
College Financial Planning Guide Download: A free downloadable guide to help families map out their financial strategy alongside their college list.
Financial Aid Resources Hub: CFP's full library of financial aid guides, tools, and templates in one place.
Academic Planning for Students Earlier in the Process
If you are in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade, the decisions you make now, about course rigor, GPA, and testing timelines, will determine which schools on this list are realistic options for you.
Academic Planning Services: CFP's four-year academic planning support helps high school students build a course record that opens doors, not just a transcript that meets minimums.
Four-Year Academic Plan: How to structure four years of high school course selection with college admission and testing timelines in mind.
Four-Year Plan Template Download: A free downloadable course planning template for students who want to map out their high school years strategically.
23 Lessons to Maximize Your High School Experience: Practical advice for high schoolers on building the kind of record that makes a compelling application, with or without a top-tier test score.
High School Exams Overview: A breakdown of the exams available in high school, including PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP, and IB, and how each fits into your broader plan.
Talk to a Counselor
Testing policies, GPA thresholds, scholarship requirements, and direct-admit restrictions vary by school and by student. A counselor who knows both the landscape and your specific profile can help you make decisions that are grounded in data, not guesswork.
College Counseling Services: Work one-on-one with a CFP counselor to build a personalized college list, application strategy, and testing plan.
Test Prep Services: Targeted SAT and ACT preparation matched to your goals and your college list.
View Pricing and Packages: An overview of CFP's college counseling and academic planning service options.
Purchase a Package: Ready to get started? Choose a service package that fits where you are in the process.
Contact Us: Reach the CFP team directly to ask a question or schedule a conversation about your student's situation.
Sign Up for the CFP Newsletter: Get testing policy updates, application deadlines, and college list guidance delivered to your inbox each month.
College Flight Path's services are advisory in nature. We do not and cannot guarantee admission, financial aid packages, or scholarship awards for any college or university.
To learn more about test-optional colleges in the South or any other related topics, email hello@collegeflightpath.com, book a free 15-minute call, or engage in our Self-guided Senior Flight Log Application course.
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