Texas Colleges That Do Not Require the SAT or ACT
Texas still has required-testing campuses, but a large share of accredited colleges in the state are test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind. This page lists Texas schools with a recorded non-required testing policy
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By Admit Coach editorial · GPTKIDS LLC ·
Methodology · Updated August 2026
Texas still has required-testing campuses, but a large share of accredited colleges in the state are test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind. This page lists Texas schools with a recorded non-required testing policy so you can build an in-state list without assuming every public flagship wants a score.
Test-optional and test-flexible colleges in Texas
Click any school for its profile and a free admission-chance estimate.
| University | Location | Acceptance Rate |
|---|
| Rice University | Houston, TX | 8% |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 29% |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Houston, TX | 28% |
| Trinity University | San Antonio, TX | 28% |
| University of Dallas | Irving, TX | 54% |
| Dallas Christian College | Dallas, TX | 84% |
| Baylor University | Waco, TX | 51% |
| East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, TX | 60% |
| Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Texarkana, TX | 80% |
| Concordia University Texas | Austin, TX | 91% |
| Angelo State University | San Angelo, TX | 79% |
| University of Houston-Clear Lake | Houston, TX | 75% |
| University of Houston-Downtown | Houston, TX | 91% |
| University of Houston | Houston, TX | 70% |
| Howard Payne University | Brownwood, TX | 68% |
| University of the Incarnate Word | San Antonio, TX | 93% |
| Lamar University | Beaumont, TX | 86% |
| Texas A & M International University | Laredo, TX | 46% |
| LeTourneau University | Longview, TX | 41% |
| East Texas A&M University | Commerce, TX | 93% |
| Hallmark University | San Antonio, TX | 98% |
| Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi | Corpus Christi, TX | 90% |
| Hardin-Simmons University | Abilene, TX | 96% |
| Lubbock Christian University | Lubbock, TX | 73% |
Data from IPEDS & College Scorecard. Browse all 3,500+ universities →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Texas public universities test-optional?
Policies vary by campus and year. Several Texas universities remain test-optional or test-flexible; others have returned to requiring scores. Check the school's current cycle policy and your score versus its IPEDS middle 50 percent.
Should Texas residents skip the SAT?
Only if the score is below the campus 25th percentile or the school is test-blind. A strong SAT can still help for auto-admit edges and merit at some campuses.
Do test-optional Texas colleges still consider GPA?
Yes. GPA, rigor, essays, and residency rules still drive the file. Test-optional removes one input; it does not make admission random.
Next steps
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