The Complete List of US Universities Going Test-Optional in 2021-22

FEB 25, 2021

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, many colleges and universities in the US have opted to make standardized test scores optional for applicants to the class of 2026.

By now you probably know that a large number of US universities have opted to extend the test-optional policies they implemented last year in light of the global pandemic. With countless tests cancelled and many students unable to get to open testing centers in 2020, and with the potential for another year of uncertainty ahead, many colleges have made test scores optional for at least one more year to preemptively ease the burden on students with little or no access to testing opportunities.

While some schools have gone a step further and declared that test scores will be optional beyond 2022 (whether that be for an additional 2-3 years or permanently), many of the most prestigious schools in the nation have decidedly stated that they do not plan to adopt permanent test-optional policies.

Understandably, as schools are at liberty to approach COVID-19 in the best way they see fit, many students are left unsure of the testing requirements for the schools they plan to apply to. That’s why we’ve put together a comprehensive list of all the US universities that have elected to go test-optional in any capacity for the upcoming application year (and beyond).

If the schools you’re aiming for will still require standardized test scores in 2021-22, not to worry! Crimson remains just as dedicated as ever to helping students ace their admissions tests. And if you’re among those who won’t be able to submit test scores, you’ll want to ensure that your qualifications shine through even more in the rest of your application.

To learn more about how Crimson helps students strengthen their grades, test scores, essays, extracurriculars and more to create holistic applications that stand out, click the link below to schedule a free consultation with one of our academic advisors.

US Colleges and Universities that have gone test-optional, test-flexible or test-blind in 2021-22

Test-optional: accepts but does not require test scores

Test-flexible: places limitations (like a minimum GPA) on students who apply without test scores

Test-blind: will not consider test scores even if they are submitted

Adelphi University: Test-Optional for 2022
Agnes Scott College: Test-Optional permanently
Albertus Magnus College: Test-Optional permanently
Allegheny College: Test-Optional permanently
American University: Test-Optional permanently
Amherst College: Test-Optional for 2022
Andrews University: Test-Optional permanently
Arcadia University: Test-Optional permanently
Arizona State University-Tempe: Test-Optional permanently
Assumption College: Test-Optional permanently
Augustana College: Test-Optional permanently
Austin College: Test-Optional permanently
Azusa Pacific University: Test-Optional permanently
Babson College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023, 2024
Ball State University: Test-Optional permanently
Bard College: Test-Optional permanently
Barnard College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Bates College: Test-Optional permanently
Baylor University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Becker College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.0+ GPA)
Bellarmine University: Test-Optional permanently
Beloit College: Test-Optional permanently
Bennington College: Test-Optional permanently
Berklee College of Music: Test-Optional permanently
Berry College: Test-Optional permanently
Bethel University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.2+ GPA)
Birmingham-Southern College: Test-Optional permanently
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania: Test-Optional permanently
Boston College: Test-Optional for 2022
Boston University: Test-Optional for 2022
Bowdoin College: Test-Optional permanently
Bradley University: Test-Optional permanently
Brandeis University: Test-Optional permanently
Bridgewater State University: Test-Optional permanently
Brown University: Test-Optional for 2022
Bryant University: Test-Optional permanently
Bryn Mawr College: Test-Optional permanently
Bucknell University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023, 2024
Butler University: Test-Optional permanently
California College of the Arts: Test-Optional permanently
California Institute of Technology: Test-Blind for 2022
California Institute of the Arts: Test-Optional permanently
California Lutheran University: Test-Optional permanently
Canisius College: Test-Optional for 2022
Case Western Reserve University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
The Catholic University of America: Test-Blind permanently
Cazenovia College: Test-Optional permanently
Centre College: Test-Optional 2022, 2023
Champlain College: Test-Optional permanently
Chapman University: Test-Optional permanently
Chatham University: Test-Optional permanently
Clark University: Test-Optional permanently
Coastal Carolina University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.5+ GPA)
Coe College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
Colby College: Test-Optional permanently
Colby-Sawyer College: Test-Optional permanently
Colgate University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
College of Charleston: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
College of New Jersey: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
College of Saint Rose: Test-Optional permanently
College of St. Benedict: Test-Optional permanently
College of the Atlantic: Test-Optional permanently
College of the Holy Cross: Test-Optional permanently
College of Wooster: Test-Optional permanently
Colorado College: Test-Optional permanently
Columbia College Chicago: Test-Optional permanently
Columbia University: Test-Optional for 2022
Concordia College-Moorhead: Test-Optional permanently
Concordia College-New York: Test-Optional permanently
Connecticut College: Test-Optional permanently
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art: Test-Optional for 2022
Cornell College: Test-Optional permanently
Cornell University: Test-Optional for 2022
Creighton University: Test-Optional permanently
Curry College: Test-Optional permanently
Dartmouth College: Test-Optional for 2022
Davidson College: Test-Optional permanently
Dean College: Test-Optional permanently
Delaware Valley University: Test-Optional permanently
Denison University: Test-Optional permanently
Dickinson College: Test-Optional permanently (currently running one-year Test-Blind pilot that may be extended)
Drake University: Test-Optional permanently
Drew University: Test-Optional permanently
DePaul University: Test-Optional permanently
DePauw University: Test-Optional permanently
Duquesne University: Test-Optional permanently
Earlham College: Test-Optional permanently
Eastern Connecticut State University: Test-Optional permanently
Eastern University: Test-Optional permanently
Eckerd College: Test-Optional for 2022
Elmira College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.7+ GPA)
Elms College: Test-Optional permanently
Elon University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Test-Optional permanently
Emerson College: Test-Optional permanently
Emmanuel College: Test-Optional permanently
Emory University: Test-Optional for 2022
Endicott College: Test-Optional permanently
Evergreen State College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.0+ GPA)
Fairfield University: Test-Optional permanently
Fairleigh Dickinson University: Test-Optional permanently
Fashion Institute of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
Fisher College: Test-Optional permanently
Flagler College: Test-Optional permanently
Fordham University: Test-Optional for 2022
Fort Lewis College: Test-Optional permanently
Framingham State University: Test-Optional permanently
Franklin and Marshall College: Test-Optional permanently
Furman University: Test-Optional permanently
George Mason University: Test-Optional permanently
George Washington University: Test-Optional permanently
Gettysburg College: Test-Optional permanently
Gonzaga University: Test-Optional permanently
Goucher College: Test-Optional permanently
Guilford College: Test-Optional permanently
Gustavus Adolphus College: Test-Optional permanently
Hampshire College: Test-Blind permanently
Hanover College: Test-Optional permanently
Hartwick College: Test-Optional permanently
Harvard University: Test-Optional for 2022
Harvey Mudd College: Test-Optional for 2022
Haverford College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Hendrix College: Test-Optional permanently
High Point University: Test-Optional permanently
Hilbert College: Test-Optional permanently
Hobart and William Smith Colleges: Test-Optional permanently
Hofstra University: Test-Optional permanently
Hood College: Test-Optional permanently
Hope College: Test-Optional for 2022
Houghton College: Test-Optional permanently
Immaculata University: Test-Optional permanently
Indiana State University: Test-Optional permanently
Indiana Tech: Test-Optional permanently
Indiana University-Bloomington: Test-Optional permanently
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis: Test-Optional permanently
Iona College: Test-Optional permanently
Ithaca College: Test-Optional permanently
James Madison University: Test-Optional permanently
Johnson & Wales University: Test-Optional permanently
Juniata College: Test-Optional permanently
Kalamazoo College: Test-Optional permanently
Kansas State University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.25+ GPA)
Keene State College: Test-Optional permanently
Kent State University: Test-Optional permanently
Keystone College: Test-Optional permanently
King’s College: Test-Optional permanently
Knox College: Test-Optional permanently
La Roche University: Test-Optional permanently
La Salle University: Test-Optional permanently
Lake Forest College: Test-Optional permanently
Lamar University: Test-Optional permanently
Lander University: Test-Optional permanently
Lasell College: Test-Optional permanently
Lawrence University: Test-Optional permanently
Le Moyne College: Test-Optional permanently
Lesley University: Test-Optional permanently
Lewis and Clark College: Test-Optional permanently
Linfield College: Test-Optional permanently
Loras College: Test-Optional permanently
Loyola Marymount University: Test-Optional for 2022
Loyola University Chicago: Test-Optional permanently
Loyola University Maryland: Test-Optional permanently
Loyola University New Orleans: Test-Blind permanently
Lycoming College: Test-Flexible permanently (must be in top half of graduating class)
Lynn University: Test-Optional permanently
Macalester College: Test-Optional permanently
Manhattanville College: Test-Optional permanently
Marist College: Test-Optional permanently
Marlboro College: Test-Optional permanently
Marquette University: Test-Optional permanently
Maryland Institute College of Art: Test-Optional permanently
Maryville University of St. Louis: Test-Optional permanently
Massachusetts College of Art and Design: Test-Optional permanently
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: Test-Blind for 2022
McDaniel College: Test-Optional permanently
MCPHS University: Test-Optional permanently
Mercer University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Mercyhurst University: Test-Optional permanently
Merrimack College: Test-Optional permanently
Messiah College: Test-Optional permanently
Michigan State University: Test-Optional permanently
Middlebury College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Millersville University of Pennsylvania: Test-Optional for 2022
Mills College: Test-Optional permanently
Minnesota State University-Moorhead: Test-Optional permanently
Misericordia University: Test-Optional for 2022
Mitchell College: Test-Optional permanently
Monroe College: Test-Optional permanently
Montclair State University: Test-Optional permanently
Moravian College: Test-Optional permanently
Mount Aloysius College: Test-Optional permanently
Mount Holyoke College: Test-Optional permanently
Mount St. Mary’s University: Test-Optional permanently
Muhlenberg College: Test-Optional permanently
Nazareth College: Test-Optional permanently
New England College: Test-Optional permanently
New England Institute of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
The New School: Test-Optional permanently
New York Institute of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
New York University: Test-Optional for 2022
Niagara University: Test-Optional permanently
Nichols College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
Northern Illinois University: Test-Blind permanently
Northern Michigan University: Test-Blind permanently
Northwestern University: Test-Optional for 2022
Norwich University: Test-Optional permanently
Notre Dame of Maryland University: Test-Optional permanently
Oberlin College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Ohio University: Test-Optional permanently
Ohio Wesleyan University: Test-Optional permanently
Old Dominion University: Test-Optional permanently
Oregon State University: Test-Optional permanently
Otis College of Art and Design: Test-Optional permanently
Pace University: Test-Optional permanently
Paul Smith’s College: Test-Optional permanently
Pennsylvania College of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
Pitzer College: Test-Optional permanently
Post University: Test-Optional permanently
Presbyterian College: Test-Optional permanently
Princeton University: Test-Optional for 2022
Providence College: Test-Optional permanently
Purchase College-SUNY: Test-Optional permanently
Queen’s University (Canada): Test-Optional permanently
Queens University of Charlotte: Test-Optional permanently
Quinnipiac University: Test-Optional permanently
Ramapo College of New Jersey: Test-Optional permanently
Reed College: Test-Blind for 2022
Regis University: Test-Optional permanently
Rhode Island School of Design: Test-Optional permanently
Rhodes College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Rice University: Test-Optional for 2022
Rider University: Test-Optional permanently
Ripon College: Test-Optional permanently
Roanoke College: Test-Optional permanently
Roberts Wesleyan College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.8+ GPA)
Rochester Institute of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
Roger Williams University: Test-Optional permanently
Rollins College: Test-Optional permanently
Rowan University: Test-Optional permanently
Russell Sage College: Test-Optional permanently
Rutgers University (all campuses): Test-Optional for 2022
Sacred Heart University: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Anselm College: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Joseph’s University: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Louis University: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Mary’s College: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Michael’s College: Test-Optional permanently
Saint Vincent College: Test-Optional permanently
Salem College: Test-Optional permanently
Salve Regina University: Test-Optional permanently
Santa Clara University: Test-Optional for 2022
Sarah Lawrence College: Test-Optional permanently
School of the Art Institute of Chicago: Test-Optional permanently
School of Visual Arts: Test-Optional permanently
Scripps College: Test-Optional permanently
Seattle University: Test-Optional permanently
Seton Hill University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.7+ GPA)
Shenandoah University: Test-Optional permanently
Siena College: Test-Optional permanently
Skidmore College: Test-Optional permanently
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania: Test-Optional permanently
Smith College: Test-Optional permanently
Southern Connecticut State University: Test-Optional permanently
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.75+ GPA)
Southern New Hampshire University: Test-Optional permanently
Southwestern University: Test-Optional permanently
Springfield College: Test-Optional permanently
St. Bonaventure University: Test-Optional permanently
St. John Fisher College: Test-Optional for 2022
St. John’s College: Test-Optional permanently
St. John’s University (MN): Test-Optional permanently
St. John’s University (NY): Test-Optional permanently
St. Joseph’s College (ME): Test-Optional permanently
St. Lawrence University: Test-Optional permanently
St. Mary’s College of California: Test-Optional permanently
St. Mary’s College of Maryland: Test-Optional permanently
St. Olaf College: Test-Optional permanently
Stanford University: Test-Optional for 2022
Stetson University: Test-Optional permanently
Stockton University: Test-Optional permanently
Stonehill College: Test-Optional permanently (currently running Test-Blind pilot that may be extended)
Suffolk University: Test-Optional permanently
SUNY Brockport: Test-Optional permanently
SUNY College of Technology-Delhi: Test-Optional permanently
SUNY College-Potsdam: Test-Optional permanently
SUNY-Geneseo: Test-Optional permanently
Susquehanna University: Test-Optional permanently
Swarthmore College: Test-Optional for 2022
Sweet Briar College: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
Syracuse University: Test-Optional for 2022
Temple University: Test-Optional permanently
Tennessee Technological University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
Texas A&M University-College Station: Test-Optional for 2022
Thomas College: Test-Optional permanently
Thomas Jefferson University: Test-Optional permanently
Towson University: Test-Optional for 2022
Transylvania University: Test-Optional permanently
Trinity College: Test-Optional permanently
Trinity College Dublin: Test-Optional for 2022 (will consider “alternate evidence” for U.S. students)
Trinity University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Tufts University: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Tulane University: Test-Optional for 2022
Union College (KY): Test-Optional permanently
Union College (NY): Test-Optional permanently
Union University: Test-Optional for 2022
Unity College: Test-Optional permanently
University of Alabama-Huntsville: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Alaska-Fairbanks: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Arizona: Test-Optional permanently
University of California system: Test-Optional (Possibly Test-Blind, Pending Litigation) for 2022, then Test-Blind for 2023, 2024
University of Chicago: Test-Optional permanently
University of Cincinnati: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Connecticut: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of Dayton: Test-Optional permanently
University of Denver: Test-Optional permanently
University of Dubuque: Test-Optional permanently
University of Hartford: Test-Optional permanently
University of Illinois-Chicago: Test-Optional for 2022
University of La Verne: Test-Optional permanently
University of Maine: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Maine-Augusta: Test-Optional permanently
University of Maine-Farmington: Test-Optional permanently
University of Maine-Fort Kent: Test-Optional permanently
University of Maine-Presque Isle: Test-Optional permanently
University of Mary Washington: Test-Optional permanently
University of Massachusetts-Amherst: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Massachusetts-Boston: Test-Optional permanently
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth: Test-Optional permanently
University of Massachusetts-Lowell: Test-Optional permanently
University of Minnesota-Duluth: Test-Optional permanently
University of Missouri system: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Missouri-Kansas City: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 2.75+ GPA)
University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA or rank in top half of class)
University of Nevada-Las Vegas: Test-Optional permanently
University of Nevada-Reno: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
University of New England: Test-Blind permanently
University of New Hampshire: Test-Optional permanently
University of New Haven: Test-Optional permanently
University of New Mexico: Test-Optional permanently
University of Notre Dame: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of Oklahoma: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
University of Oregon: Test-Optional permanently
University of Pennsylvania: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Pittsburgh: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of Portland: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Puget Sound: Test-Optional permanently
University of Redlands: Test-Optional permanently
University of Rochester: Test-Optional permanently
University of San Diego: Test-Optional permanently (currently running Test-Blind pilot that may be extended)
University of San Francisco: Test-Optional permanently
University of Scranton: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA or be in top 30% of graduating class)
University of Southern California: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of St. Joseph: Test-Optional permanently
University of St. Thomas: Test-Optional permanently
The University of the South: Test-Optional permanently
University of Toronto: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Tulsa: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Utah: Test-Optional for 2022
University of Vermont: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of Virginia: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
University of Washington: Test-Blind permanently (except for waitlist considerations)
University of Waterloo: Test-Optional permanently
University of Wisconsin-Madison: Test-Optional for 2022
Ursinus College: Test-Optional permanently
Vassar College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Vermont Technical College: Test-Optional permanently
Villanova University: Test-Optional for 2022
Virginia Commonwealth University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.3+ GPA)
Wagner College: Test-Optional permanently
Wake Forest University: Test-Optional permanently
Warren Wilson College: Test-Optional permanently
Washington and Jefferson College: Test-Optional permanently
Washington and Lee University: Test-Optional for 2022
Washington College: Test-Optional permanently
Washington University in St. Louis: Test-Optional for 2022
Wells College: Test-Optional permanently
Wentworth Institute of Technology: Test-Optional permanently
Wesleyan University: Test-Optional permanently
Western Connecticut State University: Test-Flexible permanently (must have 3.0+ GPA)
Western Michigan University: Test-Optional permanently
Western New England University: Test-Optional permanently
Westfield State University: Test-Optional permanently
Westminster College (PA): Test-Optional permanently
Wheaton College (MA): Test-Optional permanently
Whitman College: Test-Optional permanently
Whittier College: Test-Optional permanently
Willamette University: Test-Optional permanently
William and Mary: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Williams College: Test-Optional for 2022, 2023
Wofford College: Test-Optional permanently
Worcester Polytechnic Institute: Test-Optional permanently
Worcester State University: Test-Optional permanently
Xavier University: Test-Optional permanently
Yale University: Test-Optional for 2022
Yeshiva University: Test-Optional for 2022