SAT Score Ranges by College: What Score Do You Need? (2026)
There is no single SAT score that gets you into college. The score you need depends entirely on where you are applying. A 1300 is competitive at hundreds of schools and low at others. A 1500 is excellent almost everywhere and expected at a handful of places. This guide breaks down exactly what score range you need for every tier of college, with specific examples at each level.
HOW TO READ SAT SCORE RANGES
Colleges report the middle 50 percent score range — the scores of the 25th to 75th percentile of enrolled students. This means:
- •25% of admitted students scored below the bottom of the range
- •50% of admitted students scored within the range
- •25% of admitted students scored above the top of the range
- •Scoring above the 75th percentile makes your score a strength
- •Scoring below the 25th percentile makes your score a weakness to overcome
SAT Score Ranges by College Tier
Tier 1: Ivy League and Elite Universities
These are the most selective colleges in the country, with acceptance rates below 10 percent. SAT scores at these schools are extremely competitive. A high score is necessary but not sufficient — these schools admit students with perfect scores and reject many others.
| School | Middle 50% SAT Range | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 1510 to 1580 | ~3% |
| Princeton University | 1500 to 1570 | ~4% |
| MIT | 1510 to 1580 | ~4% |
| Yale University | 1500 to 1570 | ~5% |
| Columbia University | 1500 to 1570 | ~4% |
| Stanford University | 1500 to 1570 | ~4% |
| University of Pennsylvania | 1490 to 1570 | ~7% |
| Duke University | 1480 to 1570 | ~6% |
| Dartmouth College | 1490 to 1570 | ~6% |
| Brown University | 1480 to 1560 | ~5% |
| Cornell University | 1430 to 1550 | ~9% |
| Johns Hopkins University | 1480 to 1560 | ~7% |
To be competitive at these schools, aim for a score at or above the 75th percentile, which typically means 1550 or higher. Scoring within the middle 50 percent range means your SAT is not a weakness, but at these schools your application needs to be exceptional across every dimension.
Tier 2: Highly Selective Universities (Top 25 to 50)
These schools have acceptance rates between 10 and 25 percent. Strong SAT scores matter significantly, and a score below the middle 50 percent range is a real obstacle. These schools are where the most high-scoring students not admitted to Tier 1 schools end up.
| School | Middle 50% SAT Range | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | 1480 to 1560 | ~7% |
| Vanderbilt University | 1480 to 1570 | ~7% |
| Rice University | 1490 to 1570 | ~9% |
| Notre Dame | 1430 to 1540 | ~13% |
| Georgetown University | 1380 to 1540 | ~15% |
| Carnegie Mellon University | 1470 to 1560 | ~11% |
| Emory University | 1400 to 1530 | ~15% |
| Washington University in St. Louis | 1500 to 1570 | ~12% |
| UC Berkeley | 1310 to 1530 | ~11% |
| UCLA | 1290 to 1510 | ~9% |
| University of Michigan | 1360 to 1530 | ~18% |
| University of Virginia | 1340 to 1520 | ~20% |
For this tier, a score of 1400 to 1500 puts you in a competitive position at most of these schools. Scoring above 1500 makes your SAT a genuine strength. Scoring below 1350 makes it a weakness you will need to offset with other parts of your application.
Tier 3: Selective Schools (Top 50 to 100)
These schools have acceptance rates between 20 and 50 percent. The range of admitted SAT scores is wider, and a strong application can compensate for a score on the lower end of the range. Many excellent students who were not admitted to Tier 1 or 2 schools attend these universities and have outstanding outcomes.
| School | Middle 50% SAT Range | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Boston University | 1340 to 1500 | ~19% |
| Tulane University | 1340 to 1500 | ~13% |
| University of Wisconsin | 1280 to 1460 | ~49% |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 1330 to 1510 | ~45% |
| Ohio State University | 1270 to 1450 | ~53% |
| Penn State University | 1200 to 1400 | ~55% |
| University of Washington | 1240 to 1460 | ~48% |
| Purdue University | 1230 to 1450 | ~53% |
| University of Florida | 1300 to 1470 | ~31% |
| University of Georgia | 1230 to 1420 | ~43% |
Tier 4: Moderately Selective Schools
These schools admit between 50 and 75 percent of applicants. SAT scores are a factor but rarely a dealbreaker. A student with a 1100 to 1300 score who otherwise has a strong application will be competitive at most of these schools.
| Score Range | Typical Schools |
|---|---|
| 1200 to 1380 | Many regional state universities, mid-sized private colleges, schools with 40 to 60% acceptance rates |
| 1100 to 1250 | Broad access state schools, smaller regional colleges, schools with 55 to 75% acceptance rates |
| Below 1100 | Open-enrollment institutions, community colleges, schools where SAT is optional or not heavily weighted |
SAT Score Targets by Application Goal
Rather than targeting a specific school, many students find it more useful to set a score target based on what they want to achieve from their application. Here are benchmarks aligned to common goals.
Puts you in the competitive range at every school in the country. Above the 75th percentile at most Ivy League institutions. Required for serious consideration at MIT, Harvard, and Princeton.
Competitive at top 25 schools. Within or above the middle 50 percent range at most schools with acceptance rates between 10 and 20 percent. Sufficient for most merit scholarship programs.
Competitive at top 50 to 100 schools. Within range at strong state flagship universities. Qualifies for merit scholarships at many mid-tier schools.
Above average nationally. Competitive at hundreds of four-year colleges. Qualifies for some merit aid at less selective schools. Not competitive at schools ranked in the top 50.
Around or below the national average. Acceptable at many state schools and community colleges. Consider test-optional applications at schools where your score is below the 25th percentile.
What to Do if Your Score Is Below a School's Range
Scoring below the 25th percentile of a school does not automatically disqualify you, but it does mean your SAT score is a weakness your application must overcome. Here is how to think about it.
Consider Retaking With a Plan
If you have time before your application deadline and a clear sense of what to improve, retaking the SAT is often the highest-leverage move. A 100-point improvement can shift you from below-range to within range at a target school. The key is to have a specific study plan and enough time to execute it — not just register and retake.
Apply Test-Optional if It Makes Sense
Many schools have test-optional policies. If your score is below the 25th percentile of a school you want to attend, not submitting it may strengthen your application. However, test-optional is not always the right call. If your GPA and other credentials are strong, submitting a mid-range score can still provide useful context. Research each school's specific policy and the data on how test-optional applicants perform in their admissions process.
Strengthen Other Parts of Your Application
SAT scores are one factor in a holistic application. Students are regularly admitted to selective schools with scores below the middle 50 percent when other parts of their application — essays, recommendations, extracurricular achievement, or demonstrated interest — are exceptionally strong. A below-range score is a headwind, not a wall.
Apply to Schools Where Your Score Is in Range
The most straightforward path to strong college outcomes is building an application list where your score falls within or above the middle 50 percent at most of your schools. This does not mean abandoning reach schools, but it means having realistic match and safety schools where your score is genuinely competitive.
SAT Scores and Merit Scholarships
Beyond admissions, SAT scores matter for merit scholarships. Many universities use SAT scores as automatic scholarship qualifiers. Higher scores typically unlock larger aid packages.
| Score Range | Scholarship Potential |
|---|---|
| 1500 and above | Full or near-full merit scholarships at many selective public and private universities. Competitive for prestigious named scholarships. |
| 1400 to 1500 | Significant merit aid at selective schools. Full scholarships at some regional universities. Automatic scholarship qualification at many state flagships. |
| 1300 to 1400 | Partial merit scholarships at state schools. Automatic aid at many less selective universities. Competitive for honors program admission. |
| 1200 to 1300 | Some automatic merit aid at less selective schools. Honors program consideration at some schools. |
| Below 1200 | Limited automatic merit aid based on SAT score alone. Aid more likely based on financial need or other criteria. |
The scholarship calculus is one of the strongest reasons to improve your SAT score. A student who improves from 1280 to 1380 may unlock tens of thousands of dollars in merit aid at schools where they were previously just outside the automatic scholarship threshold.
Know where you stand before you apply.
AuraMint's Score Predictor gives you a projected SAT score based on your practice performance, so you can see how your current trajectory lines up against your target schools before you sit for the real test. Practice by topic, scan any question you are stuck on, and track your improvement week by week.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into an Ivy League school?
Most Ivy League schools admit students with SAT scores between 1500 and 1580. The middle 50 percent of admitted students at Harvard, Princeton, and MIT score between 1510 and 1580. A score below 1450 puts you outside the typical range for these schools, though other factors in your application can sometimes compensate. A score of 1550 or above makes you competitive at every Ivy League institution.
What is a good SAT score for college admissions?
A good SAT score depends entirely on where you are applying. For highly selective schools, aim for 1400 or above. For selective schools in the top 100, a score of 1200 to 1350 is competitive. For most state universities, 1100 to 1200 is sufficient. The most useful benchmark is the middle 50 percent score range at your specific target schools.
What SAT score do you need for a full scholarship?
Most full merit scholarships require SAT scores between 1400 and 1600 depending on the institution. Many large state universities offer full or near-full scholarships to students scoring 1400 or above. Some schools offer automatic scholarships at lower thresholds, typically 1200 to 1350, that cover partial tuition.
Is a 1200 SAT score good enough for college?
A 1200 SAT score is above the national average and is competitive at many colleges, including strong regional schools and mid-tier state universities. It is not competitive at highly selective schools, which typically look for scores of 1350 or above, but it is a solid score for the majority of US colleges.
Do all colleges require the SAT?
No. Many colleges have adopted test-optional policies, meaning they do not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. However, submitting a strong SAT score at a test-optional school can still strengthen your application. Always check the current admissions policy of each school on your list, as policies continue to change.