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

Last Updated: April 29, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Georgia Tech's admitted-student SAT middle 50 is 1370 to 1530 and ACT middle 50 is 30 to 34.
• The overall admit rate is approximately 12.7 percent (roughly 8,520 admits from 66,895 applications), but the headline figure hides a steep residency split: about 30 percent for Georgia residents and about 9 percent for out-of-state applicants.
• Tech requires the SAT or ACT for first-year applicants. Self-reported scores are accepted on the Common App, with official scores required only after enrollment.
• Tech superscores both the SAT and the ACT, combining the highest section scores across multiple test dates.
• Tech offers two Early Action rounds with hard residency rules: EA1 (October 15) is for Georgia students only, EA2 (November 3) is for non-Georgia students only. Regular Decision is January 5.

What SAT or ACT Score Do You Need for Georgia Tech?

Georgia Tech does not publish a competitive minimum and uses a holistic review. What it does publish, through the Office of Undergraduate Admission, are the middle 50 percent score ranges for the most recently admitted first-year class:

Half of Tech's admitted students scored inside 1370 to 1530 on the SAT and 30 to 34 on the ACT. Practical target: aim for a 1450 SAT or a 32 ACT to land in the middle of the admitted pool. A 1370 or 30 keeps you competitive. A 1530 or 34 puts you at or above three-quarters of admits and into a stronger position for direct admission to selective majors and merit scholarships.

Tech sits at a higher score band than most flagship publics: noticeably above Penn State (admitted middle 50 of 1320 to 1450) and Ohio State (1360 to 1500), and roughly on par with selective public-flagship STEM peers like UC Berkeley and Michigan's engineering school. The gap widens for non-residents, where the Tech bar runs even higher.

Georgia Tech Requires the SAT or ACT

Tech is one of a small group of selective universities that did not stay test-optional after the pandemic. The Office of Undergraduate Admission states plainly: "All first-year applicants must submit results from at least one SAT and/or the ACT in order to be considered for admission."

Three practical implications for your application:

• You must submit either an SAT or ACT score. No score, no review. Tech does not require both.
• Self-reported scores are accepted at the application stage. You can self-report through the Common App or the admission portal. Tech's own guidance: "We highly recommend that you self-report your SAT and/or ACT scores." Official score reports are only required after admission, before enrollment.
• The ACT writing section and SAT optional essay are not required. Skip them. They do not improve your file and Tech does not factor them in.

The self-reporting policy is generous. It removes the College Board and ACT score-send fee from the equation during the application phase and lets you decide which sittings to report.

Georgia Tech Superscores Both the SAT and the ACT

Tech uses an applicant-friendly superscoring policy on both tests. From the standardized testing page:

• SAT superscore: Tech evaluates the highest section score on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and the highest section score on Math, across all your SAT sittings.
• ACT superscore: Tech evaluates the highest section score on English, Math, and Reading across all your ACT sittings. Note that ACT Science is not part of the superscore for Tech's review.
• You can submit both tests. Tech will use whichever superscore is most competitive for your file.

Because superscoring is automatic, multiple sittings strictly help. A two- or three-test strategy (junior spring, senior fall, optional September retake) is the right default for applicants whose first sitting lands below the admit middle 50.

The Real Story: In-State vs Out-of-State Admissions

Tech is the engineering flagship of the University System of Georgia. State residency is a meaningful admission factor and shows up in the residency split of the admitted pool: roughly 60 percent in-state and 40 percent out-of-state (with about 10 percent international inside the out-of-state group).

Two practical takeaways. First, if you are a Georgia resident, the 30 percent in-state admit rate is one of the better odds among elite engineering schools nationally, and it pairs with the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships for substantial in-state tuition reduction. Second, if you are not a Georgia resident, treat the published middle 50 as a floor, not a target. Tech's 9 percent out-of-state admit rate puts your effective competitive band closer to a 1500-plus SAT or 33-plus ACT, with strong rigor, strong essays, and clear signal in math and science.

Georgia Tech Application Deadlines

Tech runs two non-overlapping Early Action rounds sorted by residency, plus Regular Decision. EA1 and EA2 are not interchangeable:

EA1 and EA2 are non-binding. The residency split is a hard rule: Georgia residents apply EA1, non-Georgia applicants apply EA2. There is no overlap.

Important strategic note: Tech's scholarship applications are gated to Early Action submission. Tech's own deadlines page states that "students who wish to be considered for academic scholarships, such as the Stamps President's Scholars Program, Scheller Dean's Scholarship and others, must apply by the appropriate Early Action deadline listed above." If merit aid is part of your reason to apply, EA is non-negotiable.

Major-Level Selectivity: CS and Engineering Run Tighter

Tech's 12.7 percent overall admit rate is a blended figure across all majors. Within the admitted class, intended areas of study split roughly:

• Engineering: 35 percent
• Sciences: 32 percent
• Liberal Arts: 11 percent
• Business (Scheller): 9 percent
• Computing: 8 percent
• Design: 5 percent

The selectivity behind those slices is not uniform. Computer Science (the College of Computing) and the most popular engineering majors (Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering) are meaningfully harder to get into than the Tech average. The Liberal Arts College (Ivan Allen) and Design (Industrial Design, Architecture) admit at noticeably higher rates than CS or peak engineering.

Practical implication: if you are an out-of-state applicant targeting CS, your effective competitive band is the upper end of the middle 50, often 1500-plus SAT and 34 ACT, plus strong math and science rigor (Calculus or beyond, Physics) and a portfolio of computing-related extracurricular signal. If you are flexible on major, listing a less-competitive primary intent at application can help your odds, though Tech does not allow major changes to highly competitive programs after admission without separate approval.

Georgia Tech GPA Requirements and Course Rigor

Tech does not publish a recalculated GPA scale, and there is no minimum GPA. The published profile of admitted students is academically dense:

• About 87 percent of admits ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class.
• About 92 percent of admits had a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher (most reported on a weighted scale).
• Course rigor is consistently weighted by Tech as a "very important" factor in the holistic review. AP, IB, dual enrollment, or honors courses are essentially universal among admits.
• Tech expects four years of math (through Calculus or beyond is the practical norm), four years of science (including Chemistry and Physics for engineering and CS applicants), four years of English, three to four years of social science, and at least two years of foreign language.

For Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering applicants, completing AP or honors Calculus and AP Physics by senior year is functionally a baseline. Skipping Physics is a visible weakness on a Tech file in those majors.

What Georgia Tech Weighs Beyond Test Scores

Tech's holistic review centers on academic preparation but reads the rest of the file carefully. In rough order of weight:

1. Course rigor. The most heavily weighted factor. Tech wants to see that you took the most challenging curriculum your high school offered, especially in math and science.
2. GPA and grade trend. Strong, consistent grades. A late-junior-year dip is a yellow flag.
3. Standardized test scores. Required, used to corroborate the academic file.
4. Essays and short-answer responses. Tech's short-answer prompts (intellectual interest, community involvement) are read carefully. Specific, concrete responses beat polished generalities.
5. Extracurricular activities. Depth and impact, not breadth. Engineering and CS applicants benefit from clear technical signal: research, coursework beyond the school's offerings, competitions, internships, or independent projects.
6. Recommendations. One counselor recommendation is required. Up to two teacher recommendations are optional but encouraged, particularly from a math or science teacher for STEM applicants.

Tech does not consider demonstrated interest, legacy status, or race or ethnicity in the admission decision.

Scholarships and Aid for Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech's aid pipeline rewards both Georgia residency and strong applicants generally:

• HOPE Scholarship (Georgia residents): Covers a portion of in-state tuition for Georgia high school graduates with at least a 3.0 high school GPA and ongoing 3.0 college GPA.
• Zell Miller Scholarship (Georgia residents): Covers nearly full in-state tuition for Georgia residents with a 3.7+ high school GPA and a 1200+ SAT or 25+ ACT (single national sitting). The ACT minimum changed from 26 to 25 effective January 1, 2024. College renewal requires a 3.3 cumulative GPA.
• Stamps President's Scholars Program (open to all admits): Tech's most prestigious merit award. Covers full cost of attendance plus enrichment funding. Separate application required by the appropriate Early Action deadline.
• Scheller Dean's Scholarship (business school applicants): Merit award for admitted Scheller College of Business students. Separate application by Early Action deadline.
• Need-based aid: Tech meets a portion of demonstrated need through the FAFSA process; not need-blind for non-residents and not full-need-met for all students. The financial aid priority deadline aligns with Early Action.

The combination of HOPE/Zell Miller plus Stamps places Georgia Tech among the best-value engineering programs in the country for in-state students. Out-of-state aid is significantly more limited, with merit-based Stamps as the primary path to substantially reduced cost.

A Realistic Prep Plan for Georgia Tech-Level Scores

If Tech is your target and your current practice SAT is 1280 or ACT is 27, here is a workable pathway to the admit middle 50:

1. Sophomore spring to junior summer. Take one timed official Bluebook SAT and one ACT. Pick whichever scores higher in percentile, not raw points, and stick with it.
2. Junior fall. Begin structured prep, three to four hours per week, plus a full timed test every two weeks. Tech superscores, so identify your weakest section and focus there. Math is the priority for engineering, CS, and sciences applicants.
3. Junior spring. First official sitting. Lock in your strongest section.
4. Summer before senior year. Heavy prep window. Aim for one full timed practice per week with precision review of every miss. Out-of-state CS applicants should target 1500+ SAT (Math 770+) or 34+ ACT (Math 35+) specifically.
5. September of senior year. Second official sitting. For EA1 (Georgia residents), self-reported scores are due by November 15. For EA2 (non-Georgia), due by January 6, so an October or November test is fine.

Score targets to anchor on: 1370 SAT or 30 ACT for the 25th percentile of admits, 1450 SAT or 32 ACT for the all-university admitted middle, and 1500-plus SAT or 33-plus ACT for out-of-state CS, Computer Engineering, and Aerospace Engineering applicants. Stamps President's Scholars finalists typically sit at 1530-plus SAT or 35-plus ACT with near-perfect academic profiles.

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 Georgia Tech SAT and ACT Scores

What is the average SAT score for Georgia Tech?

Approximately 1450, based on a published admitted middle 50 of 1370 to 1530. The 25th percentile is 1370 and the 75th percentile is 1530. Out-of-state admits trend toward the upper end of that range.

What is the average ACT score for Georgia Tech?

Approximately 32 composite, with a published middle 50 of 30 to 34. ACT Math sub-scores typically run higher among admitted engineering and CS applicants, often 33 or above.

What are Georgia Tech's SAT requirements?

Tech requires either the SAT or the ACT for first-year applicants. There is no published minimum, but the admitted middle 50 SAT is 1370 to 1530. Self-reported scores are accepted at the application stage; official scores are required only after admission. Tech superscores the SAT across multiple test dates.

What are Georgia Tech's ACT requirements?

Tech requires either the ACT or the SAT. The admitted middle 50 ACT composite is 30 to 34. Tech superscores the ACT, using the highest section scores in English, Math, and Reading across multiple sittings. ACT Science is not part of the superscore. The ACT writing section is not required.

Is Georgia Tech test-optional?

No. Tech requires the SAT or ACT for all first-year applicants. The university did not adopt a test-optional policy after the pandemic and continues to require scores for all rounds (Early Action 1, Early Action 2, and Regular Decision).

Does Georgia Tech superscore the SAT and ACT?

Yes, both. Tech combines the highest section scores across multiple SAT or ACT test dates into a single superscore for the admission review. Multiple sittings strictly help, since lower section scores on individual dates are ignored.

What GPA do I need for Georgia Tech?

Tech does not publish a minimum GPA. About 92 percent of admits had a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher (most on a weighted scale), and about 87 percent ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class. Course rigor is weighted heavily, so a 4.0 in regular classes is significantly weaker than a 3.8 in a heavy AP and honors load.

What is Georgia Tech's acceptance rate?

Approximately 12.7 percent overall (about 8,520 admits from 66,895 applicants in the most recent cycle). The headline rate hides a wide residency split: about 30 percent for Georgia residents and about 9 percent for out-of-state applicants. Computer Science is the most selective major within the admitted pool.

Is it easier to get into Georgia Tech as a Georgia resident?

Yes, materially. Tech is the engineering flagship of the University System of Georgia, and Georgia residents are admitted at roughly 30 percent versus roughly 9 percent for non-residents. Georgia residents also access HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships for substantially reduced in-state tuition.

What are the Georgia Tech application deadlines?

Early Action 1 is October 15 (Georgia residents only) with decisions December 5. Early Action 2 is November 3 (non-Georgia applicants only) with decisions January 30. Regular Decision is January 5, with decisions March 6 for Georgia residents and March 27 for non-Georgia applicants. Self-reported test score deadlines run a few weeks after the application deadline in each round.

Can I apply Early Action 1 if I am out-of-state?

No. EA1 is reserved specifically for Georgia students, including Georgia residents attending high school out of state. Out-of-state and international applicants must apply through Early Action 2 or Regular Decision. There is no overlap between EA1 and EA2.

Does Georgia Tech offer Early Decision?

No. Tech only offers Early Action (in two non-binding rounds split by residency) and Regular Decision. There is no binding Early Decision option. EA is non-binding, so admitted students can still apply ED elsewhere.

What scholarships does Georgia Tech offer?

For Georgia residents: the HOPE Scholarship (3.0 GPA threshold) and the Zell Miller Scholarship (3.7 GPA plus a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT single-sitting, covering nearly full in-state tuition). For all admits: the Stamps President's Scholars Program (full cost of attendance plus enrichment funding) and the Scheller Dean's Scholarship (business-school admits). Stamps and Scheller require Early Action submission.

Does Georgia Tech consider legacy status or demonstrated interest?

No. Tech's Common Data Set explicitly states that legacy and demonstrated interest are not considered in admissions. Race and ethnicity are also not considered following the 2023 Supreme Court ruling.

How hard is it to get into Georgia Tech Computer Science?

Significantly harder than the all-university 12.7 percent rate, especially for out-of-state applicants. CS in the College of Computing is the most selective single major at Tech. Out-of-state CS admits typically cluster at 1500-plus SAT or 34-plus ACT, with strong math and science rigor (AP Calculus, AP Physics) and clear computing signal in extracurriculars.

How does Georgia Tech compare to other public engineering schools?

Tech's admitted SAT middle 50 (1370 to 1530) sits above peer publics like Penn State (1320 to 1450) and Ohio State (1360 to 1500), and roughly on par with UC Berkeley and Michigan's engineering school for in-state admits. Out-of-state, Tech's 9 percent admit rate is closer to elite-private territory than to typical flagship publics.