University of Alabama SAT & ACT Scores
For 2027 entry, University of Alabama requires the SAT or ACT only from applicants whose cumulative high school GPA is below 3.0; everyone else may apply without scores. Among enrolled students in the fall 2025 entering class who sent scores, the middle 50% SAT range was 1100–1360, with a median of 1210, and the ACT range was 22–31. UA admitted 71.2% of 61,994 first-year applicants.
Where does your score land?
Compared with University of Alabama's enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class.
Is University of Alabama test-optional?
The rule for students applying now, for fall 2027 entry.
For 2027 entry, the University of Alabama is test-optional for applicants with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and requires an SAT or ACT score from applicants below 3.0; scores will be required from all first-year applicants starting with 2028 entry.
Superscoring. University of Alabama superscores the SAT and the ACT.
Checked October 30, 2026 on University of Alabama's admissions site . Policies can change each cycle.
Policy timeline
- 2027 entryTest-optional policy begins
- Fall 2027 applicantsTest-optional (required below a 3.0 high school gpa)
- AnnouncedSAT or ACT required from all first-year applicants starting with 2028 entry (students who begin applying in August 2027).
UA stopped requiring test scores during the pandemic, starting with a pilot for students entering in spring 2021, and stayed test-optional through 2026 entry. Starting with students who apply in August 2026 for 2027 entry, a score is required if your cumulative GPA is below 3.0. All first-year applicants for 2028 entry and later, who begin applying in August 2027, must submit an SAT or ACT score. UA has no minimum test score and says a score supplements your file rather than deciding it. It uses your highest section scores from any test dates of the same exam, so both tests are superscored. If you self-report scores, your admission depends on official score reports arriving before you enroll.
University of Alabama SAT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1100–1360, and the median was 1210.
SAT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| SAT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 1100 | 1210 | 1360 |
| Reading & Writing | 560 | 620 | 680 |
| Math | 530 | 600 | 680 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (test-optional year), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 19% of enrolled first-years sent an SAT score.
What your SAT means here
Among enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class who sent SAT scores, the middle 50% scored 1100–1360, and the median was 1210. Reading and Writing scores ran 560–680 and Math scores ran 530–680. A quarter of these students scored 1360 or higher, and a quarter scored 1100 or lower.
Only 19% of enrolled first-years sent the SAT, far fewer than sent the ACT. Because UA was test-optional for that class, the range reflects students who chose to share scores, not the whole class.
What the range means for you depends on your GPA. If your GPA is below 3.0, you must send a score, and UA says a lower score will not automatically disqualify you. If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, sending is your choice, and a superscore at or above 1210 puts you in the upper half of students who reported the SAT.
Take full-length Digital SAT practice tests free, with an explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Alabama ACT scores
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 22–31 on the ACT, with a median of 26.
ACT score distribution
Enrolled first-years, fall 2025 entering class| ACT | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 22 | 26 | 31 |
| English | 21 | 25 | 32 |
| Math | 19 | 24 | 28 |
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted scores (test-optional year), fall 2025 entering class. Source: 2025–26 Common Data Set. 53% of enrolled first-years sent an ACT score.
What your ACT means here
The ACT is the more common test at UA: 53% of enrolled first-years in the fall 2025 entering class submitted it. Their middle 50% composite was 22–31, with a median of 26. English scores ran 21–32 and Math scores ran 19–28.
For admission, UA takes your highest section scores from any ACT test dates, so a strong section on one date can count alongside strong sections from another. Automatic merit scholarship review is separate and uses composite scores only from official score reports. A composite of 31 or higher puts you in the top quarter of enrolled ACT submitters.
Take full-length ACT practice tests free, with a worked explanation on every question and a score report that shows what to fix.
University of Alabama acceptance rate
Less competitive: 71.2% of first-year applicants were admitted (fall 2025 entering class).
Each dot is 1 in 100 applicants.
- First-year applicants61,994
- Admitted44,124
- Acceptance rate71.2%
- Testing for fall 2027Test-optional
Early application plans: Rolling admission; no Early Decision or Early Action.
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: University of Alabama 2025–26 Common Data Set.
UA reviews applications on a rolling basis and has no Early Decision or Early Action plan. It does set priority deadlines for some enrollment steps, so check the steps for your entry term. Students who apply without scores can still send them for automatic merit scholarship consideration.
What to aim for
If your GPA is 3.0 or higher, a practical target for sending scores to UA is an SAT at or above 1210 or an ACT at or above 26; 1360 or 31 puts you in the top quarter. If your GPA is below 3.0, a score is required for 2027 entry, so plan your test dates early and send your best superscore. Students starting college in 2028 or later should plan to test, because UA will require scores from every first-year applicant.
UA calls test scores one part of a holistic review, not the deciding factor. It puts more weight on your high school grades and your work in core courses, especially math, English and science, along with academic honors. It also considers leadership, volunteer work, activities and employment. Every applicant must complete UA's minimum high school unit requirements.
How University of Alabama compares
Schools with a similar acceptance rate.
| School | Admit rate | Median SAT | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama | 71.2% | 1210 | 1100–1360 | 22–31 | Test-optional |
| Louisiana State University | 73.3% | 1250 | 1180–1320 | 24–30 | Test-optional |
| Loyola University Chicago | 75.1% | — | 1220–1390 | 26–31 | Test-optional |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 75.9% | 1310 | 1200–1410 | 28–33 | Test-optional |
| University of Colorado Boulder | 78% | — | — | 29–33 | Test-optional |
| University of Minnesota Twin Cities | 78.9% | 1390 | 1310–1460 | 26–32 | Test-optional |
Frequently asked questions
Is University of Alabama test-optional?
For students applying for fall 2027 entry: For 2027 entry, the University of Alabama is test-optional for applicants with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher and requires an SAT or ACT score from applicants below 3.0; scores will be required from all first-year applicants starting with 2028 entry. SAT or ACT required from all first-year applicants starting with 2028 entry (students who begin applying in August 2027). University of Alabama superscores the SAT and the ACT.
What is the average SAT score at University of Alabama?
The median SAT score of enrolled first-years was 1210 (fall 2025 entering class). The middle 50% scored 1100–1360, so a quarter scored 1360 or higher.
What SAT score do you need for University of Alabama?
A score at or above 1360 puts you in the top quarter of University of Alabama's enrolled first-years, and 1100–1360 is the middle 50% (fall 2025 entering class). Because the school is test-optional, those ranges come only from students who chose to submit.
What ACT score do you need for University of Alabama?
University of Alabama's enrolled first-years had a middle-50% ACT composite of 22–31, with a median of 26 (fall 2025 entering class). A 31 or above puts you in the top quarter.
What is University of Alabama's acceptance rate?
University of Alabama admitted 71.2% of first-year applicants for the fall 2025 entering class (44,124 of 61,994), which makes it less competitive.
How many University of Alabama students submit test scores?
In the fall 2025 entering class, 19% of enrolled first-years submitted an SAT score and 53% submitted an ACT score. Some students send both.
What are your chances at University of Alabama?
Scores are one part. Add your GPA, courses, activities and recommendations for a free reach, target or likely estimate.