SAT Scores and ACT Scores for Admission to New Hampshire Colleges

A Side-by-Side Comparison of College Admissions Data for New Hampshire Colleges

Baker Library and Tower at Dartmouth University
Baker Library and Tower at Dartmouth University. Photo Credit: Allen Grove

Admissions standards for four-year colleges in New Hampshire vary from an extremely selective Ivy League college to a school with open admissions. You'll find some schools that want to see SAT and ACT scores that are well above average, while other schools don't require scores at all. In fact, the number of test-optional colleges in New Hampshire has grown significantly in recent years. Keep in mind, however, that some of the test-optional schools below do require standardized test scores for some programs, and admissions requirements may be different for home-schooled students. Also, reporting of SAT or ACT scores may be required for NCAA reporting purposes, class placement, and financial aid/scholarship determinations.

New Hampshire Colleges SAT Scores (mid 50%)

(Learn what these numbers mean)

Reading 25% Reading 75% Math 25% Math 75% Writing 25% Writing 75%
Colby-Sawyer College test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Dartmouth College 670 780 680 780
Franklin Pierce University 430 530 440 540
Granite State College open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions
Keene State College 440 540 440 530
New England College test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Plymouth State University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Rivier University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Saint Anselm College 520 610 530 610
Southern New Hampshire University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
UNH Durham 490 590 500 610
UNH Manchester 480 610 500 610

The SAT is far more popular than the ACT in New Hampshire, but all of the colleges that require standardized test scores as part of the application process will accept either exam. At Franklin Pierce University, 92% of applicants submitted SAT scores and only 15% submitted ACT scores (those numbers add up to more than 100% because some students submit scores from both exams).

In the table below, you'll see ACT scores for New Hampshire colleges. Note that UNH Manchester does not report ACT scores because 100% of applicants used SAT scores (but you are still welcome to use ACT scores). 

New Hampshire Colleges ACT Scores (mid 50%)

(Learn what these numbers mean)

Composite 25% Composite 75% English 25% English 75% Math 25% Math 75%
Colby-Sawyer College test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Dartmouth College 30 34 31 35 29 35
Franklin Pierce University 17 20 18 23 17 23
Granite State College open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions open admissions
Keene State College 18 24 16 23 17 24
New England College test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Plymouth State University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Rivier University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
Saint Anselm College 23 28 22 27 22 28
Southern New Hampshire University test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional test-optional
UNH Durham 22 27 22 27 22 27
UNH Manchester 22 26 22 28 19 29

If your scores fall within or above these ranges, you're on target for admission to one of these New Hampshire colleges. Keep in mind that 25% of enrolled students have test scores below those listed. Also remember that SAT scores are just one part of the application. The admissions officers at many of these New Hampshire colleges, especially at the top New Hampshire colleges, will also want to see a strong academic record, a winning essay, meaningful extracurricular activities and good letters of recommendation. Strengths in these areas can help make up for SAT and ACT scores that are less than ideal.

If you'd like to expand your college search beyond New Hampshire, you can check out SAT and ACT information for colleges in Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont. You'll find a wide variety of colleges and universities, and some are likely to match your qualifications, academic interests, and personality.

Most data from the National Center for Educational Statistics

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Grove, Allen. "SAT Scores and ACT Scores for Admission to New Hampshire Colleges." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/sat-scores-four-year-new-hampshire-colleges-788630. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). SAT Scores and ACT Scores for Admission to New Hampshire Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sat-scores-four-year-new-hampshire-colleges-788630 Grove, Allen. "SAT Scores and ACT Scores for Admission to New Hampshire Colleges." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/sat-scores-four-year-new-hampshire-colleges-788630 (accessed April 27, 2024).