FAU SAT & ACT Score Requirements: What You Need to Get In (2026)

Last Updated: April 30, 2026

Key Takeaways

• FAU's admitted-student SAT middle 50 is 1090 to 1280 and ACT middle 50 is 22 to 27. The recalculated GPA middle 50 is 3.68 to 4.31.
• FAU requires the SAT, ACT, or CLT for first-year applicants. The requirement is set by Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002, which applies to all State University System schools.
• FAU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) in addition to the SAT and ACT. The admitted CLT middle 50 is 72 to 90.
• The most recent published acceptance rate is approximately 59 percent. FAU received roughly 47,000 freshman applications in a recent cycle, the largest applicant pool in school history.
• FAU runs four distinct deadline tiers: Early Action by October 15 (decisions December 5), merit scholarship priority by January 15, freshman priority by February 15, and rolling regular admission through March 13. Florida residents can stack Bright Futures on top of FAU aid for full or partial in-state tuition coverage.

What SAT or ACT Score Do You Need for FAU?

FAU does not publish a single competitive minimum, but it does publish a hard floor for review consideration: a 1060 SAT or 21 ACT composite. Above that, the holistic review applies. The middle 50 percent score ranges for the most recent admitted class:

Half of FAU's admitted students scored inside 1090 to 1280 on the SAT and 22 to 27 on the ACT. Practical target: aim for a 1185 SAT or a 25 ACT to land in the middle of the admitted pool. A 1090 or 22 keeps you competitive at the 25th percentile. A 1280 or 27 puts you above three-quarters of admits and into Honors College and merit-scholarship territory.

FAU recalculates GPA based on academic core courses only, not your full high school transcript. That recalculation can move your number significantly in either direction depending on how your school weights non-core electives.

FAU Requires the SAT, ACT, or CLT

FAU is one of the State University System of Florida (SUS) schools, which means its testing policy is set by the Florida Board of Governors, not by FAU itself. From FAU's admissions page:

"Florida Atlantic University is subject to Florida Board of Governors admissions regulation 6.002, which requires first-year students seeking admission to submit an ACT, CLT, or SAT test score."

Three things this means in practice:

• You must submit one of three accepted tests. No score, no review. Test-optional is not an option for any first-year applicant.
• The CLT (Classic Learning Test) is accepted. FAU is one of a growing number of public universities accepting the CLT as an alternative to the SAT or ACT. The admitted CLT middle 50 is 72 to 90 (out of 120). The CLT can be a strategically interesting choice for applicants whose strengths align with classical reading, grammar, and quantitative reasoning rather than the SAT or ACT formats.
• Self-reported scores are accepted at the application stage. Submit your scores through your application; official score reports are required only after admission. The ACT Science subsection is no longer required for admissions consideration starting with the 2025-26 cycle.

FAU Application Deadlines

FAU runs four distinct deadline tiers. The earlier you apply, the more options you preserve for both admission timing and scholarship review:

Three strategic notes:

• Early Action is non-binding. You can apply EA to FAU and still apply Early Decision elsewhere. There is no commitment beyond the application itself.
• Decisions roll early. EA decisions land by December 5, well before most public-flagship Regular Decision deadlines. If FAU is in your mix, the EA decision lets you finalize your other applications with FAU's answer in hand.
• Scholarship review is gated by deadline. The full merit-scholarship pool from the Office of Admissions is reviewed against the January 15 priority deadline. Applying after that date materially reduces your scholarship odds, even if your file is strong.

FAU Course Requirements (the 18-Unit High School Curriculum)

FAU expects 18 academic units in specific subject areas. This is the State University System minimum and is not negotiable:

• English: 4 units (3 with substantial composition).
• Mathematics: 4 units (Algebra 1 level and above; Algebra 2 minimum recommended).
• Natural Science: 3 units (2 with lab, typically biology, chemistry, or physics).
• Social Science: 3 units.
• Foreign Language: 2 units of the same language.
• Academic Electives: 2 units.

Practically, this means most college-prep high school transcripts already meet the requirement. Issues come up most often around the foreign language requirement (two years of the same language; alternating Spanish and French does not count) and on the natural science lab requirement. Verify both with your school counselor before the November 1 deadline window.

Florida Bright Futures and Other Aid That Stacks at FAU

FAU's sticker price for in-state students is approximately $31,000 for a nine-month estimate before aid. The actual average net cost runs much lower because of how Florida residents can stack state aid with FAU institutional aid:

• Florida Bright Futures - Florida Academic Scholars (FAS): 100 percent of tuition and applicable fees during fall, spring, and summer semesters (with at least 6 credit hours enrolled). Requires a 3.50 weighted GPA, 1330 SAT or 29 ACT (or 95 CLT), and 100 service hours.
• Florida Bright Futures - Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS): 75 percent of tuition and applicable fees during the same semesters. Requires a 3.00 weighted GPA, 1190 SAT or 24 ACT (or 82 CLT), and 75 service hours (for 9th-grade entrants 2024-25 and later).
• FAU Office of Admissions merit scholarships: Based on FAU's holistic review of GPA, test scores, and rigor. Applying by the January 15 priority deadline is required for full review.
• Wilkes Honors College scholarships: Freshmen admitted to FAU's Wilkes Honors College are automatically considered. The top award, the Henry Morrison Flagler Scholarship, is by invitation for select admits by December 15.
• Need-based aid via FAFSA: Federal Pell Grant and Florida need-based grants are available for qualifying students.

Bright Futures stacks with FAU institutional merit aid. For Florida residents who hit the 1340 SAT or 29 ACT FAS threshold, the combination of full Bright Futures tuition plus FAU merit and Pell can make FAU effectively free or near-free. This is a significant value play for in-state high achievers.

Wilkes Honors College: A Different Track Within FAU

FAU's Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is a small liberal arts honors college at FAU's Jupiter campus, separate from the main Boca Raton campus. It functions as a stand-alone honors program with its own admissions process, its own curriculum, and a distinct campus culture.

• Smaller cohort, more selective admit profile. Wilkes Honors College admits typically run a 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT and a 3.85+ GPA, with strong essays and clear fit signals.
• Merit aid is automatic for honors admits. No separate scholarship application is required. Top honors scholarships, including the Flagler, require interview by invitation only.
• Different academic experience. Wilkes is structured around small seminar classes, faculty mentorship, and a senior thesis. Students apply directly to Wilkes from high school; transferring in from main FAU is possible but separate.

If you are an academically strong applicant looking at FAU, Wilkes is the more selective and academically intense path. Apply directly via the FAU application by indicating Wilkes Honors College as your campus and program preference.

What FAU Weighs Beyond Test Scores

FAU's holistic review is straightforward. In rough order of weight:

1. Recalculated GPA. FAU recalculates GPA from your academic core courses only. This is the GPA used for both admission and scholarship decisions.
2. Standardized test scores. Required, used in admission, Bright Futures qualification, and FAU institutional merit aid.
3. Course rigor. AP, IB, AICE, dual enrollment, or honors coursework is weighted. Florida has unusually robust dual-enrollment infrastructure, which can substantially boost rigor signal.
4. 18-unit curriculum completion. All 18 academic units must be complete by graduation. Partial completion is reviewed case-by-case.
5. Activities and essays. The Common Application or FAU application includes activities and essay sections. These read for genuine voice and fit, but they are typically secondary to academic factors.

FAU does not require interviews, letters of recommendation, or supplemental writing for the standard application.

A Realistic Prep Plan for FAU-Level Scores

If FAU is your target and your current practice SAT is 1050 or ACT is 19, here is a workable pathway to the admit middle 50 (and Bright Futures FMS or FAS qualification):

1. Sophomore spring to junior summer. Take one timed official Bluebook SAT and one ACT. Pick whichever scores higher in percentile. Florida residents should also consider the CLT if their reading and quantitative reasoning style aligns with classical content.
2. Junior fall. Begin structured prep, two to three hours per week, with full timed tests every two to three weeks. Focus on your weakest section first.
3. Junior spring. First official sitting. Lock in your strongest section. Florida residents should aim for at least a 1190 SAT or 24 ACT to qualify for FMS.
4. Summer before senior year. Heavy prep window. Push toward FAS thresholds (1330 SAT or 29 ACT). At this score, full Bright Futures stacks with FAU aid.
5. September or October of senior year. Second official sitting before the October 15 EA deadline. A third sitting is possible for the January 15 scholarship deadline.

Score targets to anchor on: 1090 SAT or 22 ACT for the FAU 25th admit percentile, 1185 SAT or 25 ACT for the all-university admitted middle, 1190 SAT or 24 ACT for Bright Futures FMS (75 percent tuition), 1280 SAT or 27 ACT for the upper end of admits and competitive merit aid, and 1330 SAT or 29 ACT for Bright Futures FAS (full tuition). Wilkes Honors College admits typically cluster at 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT.

For adaptive practice, try the Larry Learns SAT platform or the Larry Learns ACT platform. If you are still deciding which test fits you, see our SAT vs ACT guide, and use the SAT score calculator to convert raw practice scores. For section-specific prep, our SAT math topics and ACT math topics guides break down what each test covers.

Frequently Asked Questions About FAU SAT and ACT Scores

What is the average SAT score for FAU?

Approximately 1185, based on a published admitted middle 50 of 1090 to 1280. The 25th percentile is 1090 and the 75th percentile is 1280. FAU recalculates GPA from academic core courses, so a strong score paired with strong core grades is the most direct path to admission and merit aid.

What is the average ACT score for FAU?

Approximately 25 composite, with a published admitted middle 50 of 22 to 27. A 27 puts you at the 75th percentile of admits and qualifies you for Bright Futures FAS (with required GPA and service hours). The ACT Science subsection is no longer required as of the 2025-26 admissions cycle.

What are FAU's SAT requirements?

FAU requires the SAT, ACT, or CLT for first-year applicants per Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002. There is a hard floor of 1060 SAT for review consideration. The admitted middle 50 SAT range is 1090 to 1280. Self-reported scores are accepted at application; official scores are required after admission.

What are FAU's ACT requirements?

FAU requires either the ACT, SAT, or CLT for first-year applicants. There is a hard floor of 21 ACT composite for review consideration. The admitted middle 50 ACT composite is 22 to 27. The ACT Science subsection is not required as of 2025-26.

Does FAU accept the CLT?

Yes. FAU accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT) as an alternative to the SAT or ACT. The admitted middle 50 CLT composite is 72 to 90 out of 120. FAU is one of a growing number of public universities accepting the CLT, which can be a strategic choice for applicants whose strengths align with classical reading and quantitative reasoning.

Is FAU test-optional?

No. FAU is a member of the State University System of Florida and is governed by Florida Board of Governors regulation 6.002, which requires first-year applicants to submit an SAT, ACT, or CLT score. There is no test-optional pathway.

What GPA do I need for FAU?

FAU does not publish an absolute minimum GPA. The recalculated middle 50 GPA is 3.68 to 4.31. FAU recalculates GPA from academic core courses only, so a 3.7 unweighted core GPA with 18 units of required coursework is the practical target. Bright Futures FMS requires a 3.00 weighted GPA; FAS requires 3.50.

What is FAU's acceptance rate?

The most recent published acceptance rate is approximately 59 percent. FAU received roughly 47,000 freshman applications in a recent cycle, the largest in school history. FAU has trended more selective over the past five years as application volume has grown, while keeping a deliberately broad-access mission for Florida residents.

When is the FAU application deadline?

FAU has four deadlines: Early Action (October 15, decisions December 5), Merit Scholarship Priority (January 15, required for full scholarship review), Freshman Priority (February 15, standard fall start), and Regular (March 13, rolling). Apply by January 15 to preserve full scholarship eligibility, or by October 15 for the earliest decision and best housing options.

Does FAU offer Early Action or Early Decision?

FAU offers non-binding Early Action with an October 15 deadline and a December 5 decision release. There is no Early Decision. Applying EA does not commit you to enrolling and does not restrict applications elsewhere.

What scholarships does FAU offer?

FAU offers Office of Admissions merit scholarships (based on holistic review by January 15), the Wilkes Honors College Henry Morrison Flagler Scholarship and other Honors awards (automatic consideration for honors admits), and need-based federal and state aid. Florida residents stack Bright Futures (FAS at 100 percent tuition or FMS at 75 percent tuition) on top of FAU institutional aid.

What is the Wilkes Honors College?

FAU's Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College is a small liberal arts honors college on FAU's Jupiter campus, with its own admissions process and curriculum. Admitted students typically have a 1300+ SAT or 28+ ACT and a 3.85+ GPA. Honors admits are automatically considered for top scholarships including the Flagler, which requires interview by invitation by December 15.

How does FAU compare to other Florida State University System schools?

FAU sits in the middle tier of the Florida SUS. UF and FSU are meaningfully more selective on test scores (UF middle 50 around 1380 to 1510; FSU around 1370 to 1460). USF and UCF run admit profiles roughly in line with or slightly above FAU. FIU and FAU are similar in profile, with FAU having a slightly higher admitted middle 50 in recent years. All Florida SUS schools require the SAT, ACT, or CLT under the same state regulation.