SAT Scores for Georgia Colleges, School by School (2026-27)

UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia State's Atlanta campus, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern's Statesboro and Armstrong campuses, and Mercer all require the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027 entry; Emory stays test-optional. Published score ranges describe a cohort; they are not admission cutoffs.

The table covers 7 colleges Georgia families apply to most, from the most selective to the large public universities. Read each cohort note before comparing numbers. The bottom rows show the score-based money Georgia families can earn: Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship.

Georgia college score profiles and cohort notes

Cohort notes: Emory: Only 47% of Emory's enrollees submitted an SAT score, so the 1480-1540 range describes submitters only. Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech requires at least one SAT or ACT score from every first-year applicant. UGA: UGA's enrolled Fall 2025 middle 50% was 1250-1420, while the admitted Class of 2030 profile ran higher at 1360-1500. Mercer: Mercer has no 2025-26 CDS posted yet, so its SAT and acceptance figures are from Fall 2024. Georgia State: The Georgia State CDS covers the whole institution, including Perimeter College associate admits. Kennesaw State: Kennesaw State became test-required starting Fall 2026. Georgia Southern: Georgia Southern became test-required starting Fall 2026. These are not interchangeable measures.

School by school

Emory University: 1480 to 1540

Emory reports a 1480 to 1540 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025). It admitted 10.3% of 37,561 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Test optional for the 2026-2027 cycle (Fall 2027 entry). Only 47% of Emory's enrollees submitted an SAT score, so the 1480-1540 range describes submitters only.

Georgia Institute of Technology: 1370 to 1530

Georgia Tech reports a 1370 to 1530 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025; 78% submitted SAT). It admitted 13.3% of 66,881 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Required; superscores the SAT and ACT. Georgia Tech requires at least one SAT or ACT score from every first-year applicant.

University of Georgia: 1250 to 1420

UGA reports a 1250 to 1420 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025 (median 1330); admitted Class of 2030 profile is 1360-1500). It admitted 34.3% of 47,464 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Required; superscores SAT and ACT, minimums 480 EBRW / 440 Math SAT or 17/17 ACT. UGA's enrolled Fall 2025 middle 50% was 1250-1420, while the admitted Class of 2030 profile ran higher at 1360-1500.

Mercer University: 1170 to 1330

Mercer reports a 1170 to 1330 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2024-25, fall 2024 (median 1240); Fall 2026 admissions profile is 1120-1320). It admitted 68.9% of 9,813 applicants (fall 2024). Testing for fall 2027: Test required beginning with the Fall 2026 application cycle. Mercer has no 2025-26 CDS posted yet, so its SAT and acceptance figures are from Fall 2024.

Georgia State University: 1030 to 1240

Georgia State reports a 1030 to 1240 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025; 40% submitted SAT). It admitted 57.2% of 42,323 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Required for the Atlanta campus (Fall 2026 and later); Perimeter College is test-optional with a 3.1+ GPA. The Georgia State CDS covers the whole institution, including Perimeter College associate admits.

Kennesaw State University: 1010 to 1210

Kennesaw State reports a 1010 to 1210 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025; 41% submitted SAT). It admitted 79.4% of 33,513 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Required; minimums 500 EBRW / 490 Math SAT or 18/18 ACT, plus a 2.5 GPA. Kennesaw State became test-required starting Fall 2026.

Georgia Southern University: 980 to 1140

Georgia Southern reports a 980 to 1140 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, CDS 2025-26, fall 2025; 35% submitted SAT). It admitted 69.5% of 29,265 applicants (fall 2025). Testing for fall 2027: Required for the Statesboro and Armstrong campuses; minimums 480 EBRW / 440 Math SAT or 17/17 ACT. Georgia Southern became test-required starting Fall 2026.

Where Georgia's scholarship scores sit

Georgia's HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships pay tuition at every Georgia college, and Zell Miller is the test-dependent tier requiring a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT.

Zell Miller Scholarship: 1200 SAT. Full tuition, UGA $5,067/semester, Georgia Tech $5,309/semester, with a 3.7 HOPE GPA, single-sitting SAT or ACT taken before graduation, and 4 rigor credits.

HOPE Scholarship: None required for eligible-high-school graduates. Tuition, UGA $5,017/semester, Georgia Tech $5,256/semester, with a 3.0 HOPE GPA and 4 rigor credits.

Both awards pay tuition only, not fees, books, or room and board. Public colleges pay up to 15 hours a semester; HOPE prorates below 15 hours. The HOPE GPA uses only core courses on a 4.0 scale with no rounding, and the 4-rigor-credit rule applies to graduates on or after May 1, 2017.

The misconception: test optional means the SAT does not matter in Georgia

Emory is test optional for fall 2027, so many families assume the score is irrelevant. The ranges above come from the students who chose to send one, and they sit well above the overall class. Georgia Tech, UGA, Mercer and Georgia State still require a score. And Zell Miller Scholarship is awarded on the SAT or ACT whatever the admissions policy.

Quick answers

What SAT score do you need for the Zell Miller Scholarship?

1200 on a single SAT sitting (no superscore) or a 25 ACT, taken before high school graduation. The student also needs a 3.7 HOPE GPA and 4 rigor credits. The alternative is graduating as the named valedictorian or salutatorian with a 3.0.

Does UGA require the SAT?

Yes. UGA requires the SAT or ACT for Fall 2027 applicants and superscores both. It does not accept the CLT in place of the SAT. The admitted Class of 2030 had a middle 50% SAT of 1360-1500.

Is the SAT given free at school in Georgia?

Georgia does not run a statewide SAT School Day. What the state funds is the PSAT in 10th grade for every public-school student. Some districts and schools pay for their own SAT School Day, 43% of Georgia's class of 2025 SAT takers tested on a school day at some point.

Does HOPE require an SAT score?

No. A graduate of an eligible Georgia high school qualifies for HOPE with a 3.0 HOPE GPA and 4 rigor credits. Only Zell Miller, the full-tuition tier, needs the 1200 SAT or 25 ACT.

How does the average Georgia student score on the SAT?

Georgia's class of 2025 averaged 1038 (74,667 test takers), and 38% met both College Board benchmarks. That is well below UGA's enrolled middle 50% (1250-1420) and Georgia Tech's (1370-1530).

Are these ranges cutoffs?

No. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not an admission cutoff. Some rows describe enrolled students or score submitters only, as labeled. A position within a range does not guarantee admission or merit aid.

More for Georgia families

• SAT prep in Georgia
• Georgia SAT test dates for 2026-27
• Georgia scholarship score requirements
• Find your teen's target score

Sources

University and state sources: Emory, Georgia Tech, UGA, Mercer, Georgia State, Kennesaw State, Georgia Southern, Zell Miller Scholarship. Reviewed October 9, 2026. Cohorts and entry terms differ; confirm current requirements with each admissions office.