University of Miami SAT & ACT Score Requirements: What You Need to Get In (2026)

Last Updated: May 6, 2026

Key Takeaways

• UM's admitted-student SAT middle 50 is 1360 to 1480 and ACT middle 50 is 30 to 34, both super-scored. The average admitted unweighted GPA is approximately 3.89.
• UM reinstated the SAT or ACT requirement for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. The previous test-optional policy is no longer available; only SAT or ACT scores satisfy the requirement.
• UM super-scores both the SAT and the ACT automatically. You do not need to recalculate; submit scores exactly as you receive them.
• The Class of 2029 acceptance rate was approximately 18 percent (10,205 admits from 58,139 applications). 77 percent of admits applied via early rounds (39 percent ED I/II, 38 percent EA); only 23 percent came through Regular Decision.
• UM offers three early rounds (binding ED I, non-binding EA, and binding ED II) plus Regular Decision. The class is split 32 percent Florida residents and 60 percent out-of-state, with 8 percent international students.

What SAT or ACT Score Do You Need for the University of Miami?

UM does not publish a competitive minimum and uses a holistic review. What it does publish, through its official class profile, are middle 50 percent ranges for admitted students:

Half of UM's admitted students scored inside 1360 to 1480 on the SAT and 30 to 34 on the ACT. Practical target: aim for a 1420 SAT or a 32 ACT to land in the middle of the admitted pool. A 1360 or 30 keeps you competitive at the 25th percentile. A 1480 or 34 puts you above three-quarters of admits and into the merit-scholarship conversation.

UM's admit profile reflects a private university with strong demand among Florida and Mid-Atlantic applicants. The school's 60 percent non-Florida class composition makes it more competitive for out-of-state applicants than many peer Florida schools.

UM Reinstated the SAT or ACT Requirement for Fall 2026

In January 2025, the University of Miami announced it would once again require standardized test scores for first-year applicants beginning with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. From the official policy:

"Beginning in Fall 2026, only the SAT or ACT will satisfy our test score requirement."

• You must submit either an SAT or ACT score. Test-optional is no longer available for UM first-year applicants. AP, IB, or other alternative tests do not satisfy the requirement.
• Self-reporting is accepted. Submit scores via the Common Application or the UM Applicant Portal. Official score reports are required only after admission, before enrollment.
• Super-scoring is automatic. Enter your scores as you receive them; UM will super-score both the SAT and the ACT for you.

UM Super-Scores Both the SAT and the ACT

UM uses an applicant-friendly super-scoring policy on both tests. From the testing policy page:

"The University super-scores both the ACT and SAT. You will not need to super-score your own results or recalculate your scores."

• SAT super-score: Highest Reading and Writing across dates plus highest Math across dates form a new total.
• ACT super-score: Highest section scores across dates form a new composite, including English, Math, Reading, and Science.
• Submit all sittings. UM combines section bests automatically. There is no penalty for sending lower individual sittings.
• You can submit both tests. UM will use whichever super-score is most competitive in your file.

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

The Three Early Rounds and the ED Advantage

UM offers an unusual structure: three early application rounds plus Regular Decision. Two of the three early rounds (ED I and ED II) are binding; the third (Early Action) is non-binding.

The class composition tells you how heavily UM weights its early rounds:

• 39 percent of admits applied via Early Decision I or II.
• 38 percent of admits applied via Early Action.
• 23 percent of admits applied via Regular Decision (with about 10 percent coming from the waitlist).

Three things to know about the round structure:

• ED I and ED II are binding. Admitted ED applicants must withdraw all other college applications and enroll. ED II is genuinely useful for applicants who finalize UM as their first choice after the November deadline.
• EA is non-restrictive. You can apply EA to UM and Early Decision elsewhere. EA carries an admit-rate advantage over RD without the binding commitment.
• RD is the smallest pool. With only 23 percent of admits coming through Regular Decision, applying RD to UM puts you in the most competitive round. If UM is in your top tier, applying ED I, EA, or ED II is the strongest move.

UM's Schools and Class Distribution

UM admits to a specific school or college on the application. The Class of 2029 distribution shows where students enroll:

• College of Arts and Sciences: 39 percent — largest school, broad liberal arts and sciences foundation.
• Miami Herbert Business School: 29 percent — business and economics tracks; competitive direct-admit.
• College of Engineering: 11 percent — strong on math and science rigor expectations.
• School of Nursing and Health Studies: 11 percent — clinical pathway with direct-admit BSN.
• Other schools (Communication, Architecture, Music, Education, Marine Science): the remaining 10 percent split across UM's smaller specialized schools.

UM's smaller specialized schools include the Frost School of Music (one of the most highly regarded music programs in the country, with audition-based admission), the School of Communication (strong in journalism and broadcasting), and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (a top marine science program leveraging UM's Florida location).

For applicants targeting Miami Herbert Business or Engineering, the effective bar runs slightly tighter than the all-university average. Frost Music applicants face a separate audition review track that carries decisive weight.

UM GPA Requirements and Course Rigor

UM's admit pool is academically dense with an average unweighted GPA of approximately 3.89. Course rigor expectations include:

• English: 4 years.
• Math: 4 years (Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, plus a fourth math; Calculus or beyond strongly recommended for Engineering, Business, and pre-med tracks).
• Science: 3 to 4 years (with at least 2 lab sciences; 4 years preferred for Engineering and pre-med).
• Social science: 3 years.
• Foreign language: 2 to 3 years of the same language.

For competitive Miami Herbert Business and Engineering applicants, AP, IB, AICE, dual enrollment, or honors coursework is essentially expected at the available level. Florida has unusually robust dual enrollment infrastructure, which can substantially boost rigor signal for in-state applicants.

Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships at UM

UM is a private research university with a meaningful merit aid pipeline alongside need-based aid:

• Need-based financial aid. UM meets a portion of demonstrated need through the FAFSA and CSS Profile process. UM is not need-blind for all applicants, and need is considered in some admission decisions for non-residents.
• Singer Scholarship. UM's most prestigious merit award. Full tuition for four years for highly qualified incoming first-year students. Separate application or invitation typically required.
• President's Scholarship and Provost's Scholarship. Substantial merit awards (typically 75 percent and 50 percent of tuition, respectively) for strong academic profiles.
• Departmental and college-specific scholarships. Frost Music offers performance-based awards; Miami Herbert and Engineering have their own scholarship pools.
• Florida Bright Futures (Florida residents). Stacks with UM aid for Florida residents who meet state thresholds (FAS at 100 percent of public-university tuition equivalent; FMS at 75 percent equivalent).

For Florida residents who qualify for Bright Futures FAS plus a strong UM merit award, the combined aid can substantially reduce the net cost of UM's private-university tuition.

What UM Weighs Beyond Test Scores

UM's holistic review considers academic and personal factors. In rough order of weight:

1. Academic record. Course rigor, GPA, and trajectory. UM weights rigor relative to what your school offers.
2. Standardized test scores. Required as of Fall 2026; used in admission and merit scholarship review.
3. Essays and supplements. UM's short-answer prompts ask about academic interest and fit. Specific responses outperform generic ones.
4. Activities, leadership, and impact. Depth and clear narrative coherence outperform a long, shallow list.
5. Recommendations. A counselor letter and one or two teacher letters are typical. For Frost Music, audition materials carry decisive weight.
6. Demonstrated interest. UM tracks demonstrated interest more than many peers. Applying ED, attending information sessions, and engaging with admissions communications all register.

UM does not require interviews for general admission. Specialized programs (Frost, Architecture) may require auditions or portfolios.

A Realistic Prep Plan for UM-Level Scores

If UM is your target and your current practice SAT is 1280 or ACT is 28, 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.
2. Junior fall. Begin structured prep, three to four hours per week, with full timed tests every two weeks. UM super-scores, so identify your weakest section and concentrate prep there.
3. Junior spring. First official sitting. Lock in your strongest section. Aim for at least the 25th percentile of admits (1360 SAT or 30 ACT) by this point.
4. Summer before senior year. Heavy prep window. Push toward the median (1420 SAT or 32 ACT). UM Herbert Business and Engineering applicants should target the upper end (1450+ SAT or 33 ACT).
5. September of senior year. Second sitting. Scores from August or October administrations arrive in time for the November 1 ED I or EA deadline. A third sitting in October or November is possible for ED II or RD review.

Score targets to anchor on: 1360 SAT or 30 ACT for the admitted 25th percentile, 1420 SAT or 32 ACT for the admitted middle, 1450+ SAT or 33+ ACT for competitive Miami Herbert Business or Engineering admission, and 1480+ SAT or 34+ ACT for the upper end of admits and competitive merit scholarship review.

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 UM SAT and ACT Scores

What is the average SAT score for the University of Miami?

Approximately 1420 (super-scored), based on a published admitted middle 50 of 1360 to 1480. The 25th percentile is 1360 and the 75th percentile is 1480. Miami Herbert Business and Engineering admits trend toward the upper end.

What is the average ACT score for the University of Miami?

Approximately 32 composite (super-scored), with a published admitted middle 50 of 30 to 34. UM super-scores the ACT, including the Science section.

What are UM's SAT requirements?

UM requires the SAT or ACT for first-year applicants starting with the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. There is no published minimum SAT, but the admitted middle 50 SAT range is 1360 to 1480. UM super-scores the SAT and accepts self-reported scores at the application stage.

What are UM's ACT requirements?

UM requires either the ACT or the SAT. The admitted middle 50 ACT composite is 30 to 34. UM super-scores the ACT and uses whichever super-score is most competitive if you submit both tests.

Is UM test-optional?

No. UM reinstated the standardized testing requirement for the Fall 2026 admissions cycle. Only SAT or ACT scores satisfy the requirement; AP, IB, or other alternative tests do not. The previous test-optional policy is no longer available.

Does UM super-score the SAT and ACT?

Yes, both. UM combines the highest section scores across all your test dates into a new composite automatically. You do not need to super-score your own results or recalculate your scores; submit them exactly as you receive them.

What GPA do I need for UM?

UM does not publish a strict GPA minimum. The average admitted unweighted GPA is approximately 3.89. Course rigor (AP, IB, honors, dual enrollment) at the maximum level your school offers is essentially universal among admits.

What is UM's acceptance rate?

The Class of 2029 acceptance rate was approximately 18 percent (10,205 admits from 58,139 applications). 39 percent of admits applied via Early Decision I or II, 38 percent via Early Action, and only 23 percent via Regular Decision (with 10 percent of admits coming from the waitlist).

What is the difference between UM's ED I, EA, ED II, and RD rounds?

UM offers three early rounds plus Regular Decision. ED I (November 1) and ED II (January 6) are both binding; EA (November 1) is non-binding and non-restrictive. RD (January 6) is the smallest admit pool, with only 23 percent of admits coming through this round. For applicants with UM as a top choice, applying ED I, EA, or ED II is the strongest move.

When are the UM application deadlines?

Early Decision I and Early Action deadline is November 1. Early Decision II and Regular Decision deadline is January 6. Decisions are released on a rolling timeline by round.

Does UM offer Early Decision II?

Yes. ED II is binding and exists for applicants who finalize UM as their first choice after the November 1 ED I deadline. ED II shares the January 6 deadline with Regular Decision but offers a binding commitment in exchange for a higher admit rate than RD.

What is the Singer Scholarship at UM?

The Singer Scholarship is UM's most prestigious merit scholarship for incoming first-year students. It covers full tuition for four years and is highly competitive with limited slots. Selection is typically by invitation or separate application after admission.

What is the school distribution at UM?

The Class of 2029 enrolled approximately 39 percent in the College of Arts and Sciences, 29 percent in Miami Herbert Business School, 11 percent in the College of Engineering, 11 percent in the School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the remaining 10 percent across smaller specialized schools (Communication, Architecture, Frost Music, Education, Rosenstiel Marine Science).

Is UM more competitive for out-of-state students?

Yes. UM's class composition is approximately 32 percent Florida residents and 60 percent non-Florida residents (with 8 percent international). Out-of-state applicants face a more competitive review than at peer Florida public universities like FAU or FIU. UM's private-university structure means residency is not a primary admission factor, but the demand from non-Florida applicants is intense.

How does UM compare to other Florida universities?

UM is meaningfully more selective than Florida public universities by admit rate (~18 percent vs ~30 percent at UF and ~25 percent at FSU). UM's admitted SAT range (1360 to 1480) sits roughly in line with Florida (1380 to 1510) and above FSU (1370 to 1460), FAU (1090 to 1280), USF, UCF, and FAMU. As a private university, UM offers a different financial aid structure than public schools but still allows Florida residents to stack Bright Futures with institutional merit aid.