Top 100 US College Admissions SAT Scores

Edited by: Johnny

Updated 30 October 2026 · 7-minute read

These are the SAT scores of students who enrolled at the 108 universities ranked 1 to 100 in the U.S. News 2027 Best National Universities list (ties included). For each school you get the middle 50% total score on a bar chart, the two section ranges, the current testing policy and the entering class the numbers describe. Use the table to see where your practice-test score falls before you build your college list.

How to read the numbers

The middle 50% is the range between the 25th and 75th percentile of enrolled first-year students who sent SAT scores. A quarter of those students scored below the first number, and a quarter scored above the second.

Inside the range: your score is typical for that school.
Above the 75th percentile: your score is a strength in your application.
Below the 25th percentile: it is still possible, but the rest of your application has to carry more weight.

The ranges come from each university's most recent Common Data Set. Most describe students who entered in Fall 2025; each school's line shows the entering class its numbers describe. Testing policies were checked on each school's admission page in October 2026.

The score you need by tier

Article table
U.S. News rank	Typical 25th percentile	Typical 75th percentile
1–10	1510	1560
11–25	1485	1550
26–50	1410	1520
51–100	1280	1425

Each figure is the median of the schools in that tier that publish a total range, rounded.

Top 100 US universities: SAT scores

In the Total column, the bar shows each school's middle 50% on the same 1000–1600 scale, so you can compare ranges down the list. RW is Reading and Writing. Entering class is the group the numbers describe.

#	University	Total, middle 50%	RW	Math	Testing	Entering class
1	Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridge, MA	1520–1570	740–780	780–800	Required	Fall 2025
2	Princeton UniversityPrinceton, NJ	1490–1560	740–780	760–800	Optional; required from Fall 2028	Fall 2025
3	Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA	Sections only	720–770	730–790	Required	Fall 2025
4	Yale UniversityNew Haven, CT	1480–1560	730–780	740–790	Required	Fall 2025
5	California Institute of TechnologyPasadena, CA	Sections only	760–780	790–800	Required	Fall 2025
5	Stanford UniversityStanford, CA	1520–1570	750–780	770–800	Required	Fall 2025
7	University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	Sections only	740–770	770–800	Required	Fall 2025
8	Duke UniversityDurham, NC	1510–1570	740–780	770–790	Optional	Fall 2025
9	Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	1530–1565	750–780	780–800	Required	Fall 2025
9	Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL	1510–1560	740–770	770–800	Optional	Fall 2024
9	University of ChicagoChicago, IL	1500–1560	740–770	760–790	Optional	Fall 2025
12	Columbia UniversityNew York, NY	1510–1560	740–780	770–800	Optional; required from Fall 2028	Fall 2024
12	Dartmouth CollegeHanover, NH	1440–1550	720–770	720–790	Required	Fall 2025
14	Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PA	1500–1560	730–770	770–800	Varies by college	Fall 2024
14	Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY	1490–1550	730–770	770–800	Required	Fall 2025
16	Brown UniversityProvidence, RI	1470–1550	730–770	730–790	Required	Fall 2025
16	Rice UniversityHouston, TX	1510–1560	740–770	760–800	Optional	Fall 2025
16	Vanderbilt UniversityNashville, TN	1510–1560	740–770	770–790	Optional	Fall 2025
16	Washington University in St. LouisSt. Louis, MO	1500–1550	730–760	760–790	Optional	Fall 2025
20	University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2025
20	University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2025
20	University of Notre DameNotre Dame, IN	1460–1540	720–760	730–780	Optional	Fall 2025
23	Emory UniversityAtlanta, GA	1480–1540	720–760	750–790	Optional	Fall 2024
23	Georgetown UniversityWashington, DC	1405–1530	710–760	700–780	Required	Fall 2025
25	University of Michigan-Ann ArborAnn Arbor, MI	1370–1530	690–750	680–780	Optional	Fall 2025
26	University of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA	1410–1520	700–760	710–780	Optional	Fall 2024
27	University of North Carolina-Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	1400–1530	690–750	700–780	Optional	Fall 2025
27	University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA	1470–1540	720–760	740–790	Optional	Fall 2025
29	Georgia Institute of TechnologyAtlanta, GA	1370–1530	680–760	700–790	Required	Fall 2025
29	University of California-San DiegoSan Diego, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2025
31	Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA	1460–1520	710–760	730–780	Optional	Fall 2024
31	New York UniversityNew York, NY	1480–1550	730–770	750–790	Optional	Fall 2025
31	Tufts UniversityMedford, MA	1460–1520	720–760	730–780	Optional	Fall 2025
34	Boston UniversityBoston, MA	1420–1510	700–750	720–780	Optional	Fall 2025
34	University of California-DavisDavis, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2024
34	University of California-IrvineIrvine, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2024
34	University of FloridaGainesville, FL	1330–1490	670–740	660–750	Required	Fall 2025
34	University of Illinois-Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	1390–1520	680–750	700–790	Optional	Fall 2024
34	University of Texas-AustinAustin, TX	Not published	—	—	Required	Fall 2025
34	University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI	1400–1490	680–740	700–780	Optional	Fall 2025
34	Wake Forest UniversityWinston-Salem, NC	1420–1500	700–750	710–770	Optional	Fall 2024
42	Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA	1450–1520	710–760	730–780	Optional	Fall 2024
42	Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA	1410–1490	685–740	710–770	Optional	Fall 2024
44	Case Western Reserve UniversityCleveland, OH	1440–1530	710–760	730–780	Optional	Fall 2025
44	Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA	1380–1480	680–740	690–760	Optional	Fall 2025
44	Ohio State University-ColumbusColumbus, OH	1300–1440	640–720	650–740	Required	Fall 2025
44	Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ	Sections only	630–720	640–760	Optional	Fall 2023
44	University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2025
49	University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD	1410–1520	690–750	700–780	Optional	Fall 2025
49	University of RochesterRochester, NY	1420–1500	680–750	730–790	Optional	Fall 2024
49	University of WashingtonSeattle, WA	1320–1502	650–740	650–780	Optional	Fall 2025
52	University of GeorgiaAthens, GA	1220–1400	620–710	600–710	Required	Fall 2024
52	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA	Sections only	640–720	640–730	Optional	Fall 2025
52	College of William and MaryWilliamsburg, VA	1390–1520	710–760	680–760	Optional	Fall 2025
55	Pennsylvania State University-University ParkUniversity Park, PA	1280–1410	630–710	630–720	Optional	Fall 2025
55	Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN	1220–1470	610–730	600–760	Required	Fall 2025
55	Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara, CA	1360–1480	670–730	680–760	Optional	Fall 2024
55	University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL	1350–1450	670–730	660–740	Required	Fall 2025
59	Brandeis UniversityWaltham, MA	1370–1470	670–740	660–750	Optional	Fall 2025
59	Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL	1300–1410	650–720	630–710	Required	Fall 2025
59	George Washington UniversityWashington, DC	1310–1450	690–750	670–740	Optional	Fall 2025
59	Stevens Institute of TechnologyHoboken, NJ	1390–1490	670–735	710–770	Optional	Fall 2024
59	Stony Brook UniversityStony Brook, NY	1350–1470	650–730	680–760	Optional	Fall 2025
59	Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX	1160–1390	580–690	570–710	Optional	Fall 2025
59	Tulane UniversityNew Orleans, LA	1430–1500	710–750	710–760	Optional	Fall 2025
59	University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA	1330–1480	660–740	660–760	Optional	Fall 2025
59	University of MinnesotaMinneapolis, MN	1320–1470	640–730	660–770	Optional	Fall 2024
59	University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA	Sections only	650–720	630–730	Optional	Fall 2025
69	Michigan State UniversityEast Lansing, MI	1100–1310	550–660	530–660	Optional	Fall 2025
69	Rensselaer Polytechnic InstituteTroy, NY	1380–1500	680–750	690–770	Optional	Fall 2025
69	University of California-MercedMerced, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2024
72	Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	1300–1410	650–720	640–710	Optional	Fall 2025
73	Binghamton UniversityBinghamton, NY	1360–1480	660–730	680–760	Optional	Fall 2024
73	Howard UniversityWashington, DC	1050–1270	540–660	510–620	Optional	Fall 2025
73	Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN	1200–1410	610–700	590–710	Optional	Fall 2025
73	North Carolina State UniversityRaleigh, NC	1310–1440	650–720	650–730	Optional	Fall 2025
73	Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ	Not published	—	—	Optional	Fall 2023
73	University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT	1260–1420	630–720	620–720	Optional	Fall 2025
73	Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, MA	Not published	—	—	Optional	Fall 2025
80	Clemson UniversityClemson, SC	1250–1400	620–700	620–710	Optional	Fall 2024
80	Colorado School of MinesGolden, CO	1340–1460	650–728	680–760	Optional	Fall 2022
80	Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	1260–1430	630–710	630–730	Optional	Fall 2025
80	Pepperdine UniversityMalibu, CA	1300–1440	650–710	640–740	Optional	Fall 2024
80	University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2025
85	Fordham UniversityNew York, NY	1330–1460	660–730	660–750	Optional	Fall 2022
85	New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ	1235–1460	610–710	630–760	Optional	Fall 2024
85	Southern Methodist UniversityDallas, TX	1360–1470	670–730	670–750	Optional	Fall 2025
85	University of BuffaloBuffalo, NY	Sections only	600–680	610–700	Optional	Fall 2024
85	University of DelawareNewark, DE	1220–1370	610–700	590–690	Optional	Fall 2024
90	Baylor UniversityWaco, TX	1160–1340	580–680	570–680	Optional	Fall 2024
90	Gonzaga UniversitySpokane, WA	1200–1385	600–700	590–680	Optional	Fall 2024
90	Marquette UniversityMilwaukee, WI	1230–1360	610–700	600–680	Optional	Fall 2025
90	Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX	1110–1330	560–680	540–660	Optional	Fall 2025
90	Yeshiva UniversityNew York, NY	1330–1470	660–740	660–760	Optional	Fall 2023
95	American UniversityWashington, DC	1300–1430	660–740	620–710	Optional	Fall 2024
95	Rochester Institute of TechnologyRochester, NY	1310–1440	650–730	640–730	Optional	Fall 2025
95	Rutgers University-CamdenCamden, NJ	Sections only	510–625	500–630	Optional	Fall 2023
95	University of Illinois-ChicagoChicago, IL	1030–1300	520–660	500–650	Optional	Fall 2025
95	University of MissouriColumbia, MO	Sections only	580–670	570–660	Optional	Fall 2024
100	Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL	1280–1370	630–700	620–700	Optional	Fall 2025
100	Chapman UniversityOrange, CA	1280–1410	630–720	630–720	Optional	Fall 2024
100	Creighton UniversityOmaha, NE	1280–1410	650–710	620–710	Optional	Fall 2025
100	Elon UniversityElon, NC	1130–1320	580–670	540–650	Optional	Fall 2024
100	Florida International UniversityMiami, FL	1070–1250	550–640	520–620	Required	Fall 2024
100	Saint Louis UniversitySt. Louis, MO	Not published	—	—	Optional	Fall 2025
100	University of IowaIowa City, IA	1140–1313	570–670	560–660	Optional	Fall 2024
100	University of San DiegoSan Diego, CA	Not used	—	—	Not considered	Fall 2024
100	University of South FloridaTampa, FL	1160–1340	590–670	560–670	Required	Fall 2025

Sections only: Harvard, Caltech, Penn and a few others publish Reading and Writing and Math ranges but no total. Adding the two sections does not give the total range, so those schools have no bar.
Not used: the University of California campuses and the University of San Diego do not consider SAT scores in admission.
Not published: the school accepts or requires scores but did not publish a range in the report we checked.

Testing is back at many top schools

21 of these 108 universities now require the SAT or ACT, including MIT, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Penn, Johns Hopkins, Cornell, Brown, Dartmouth, Georgetown and Georgia Tech. Princeton and Columbia have announced that testing returns for students entering in Fall 2028. Most of the rest are test optional, which means you may leave your score out. If your score sits inside a school's middle 50%, sending it usually helps.

What to do with this table

Pick five schools from your list and write down their middle 50%.
Take a full-length practice test to see where you stand today.
Aim for the 25th percentile of your target schools first, then the 75th.

Policies change every admission cycle, so confirm the current rule on each university's admission page before you apply.

Rankings: U.S. News & World Report, 2027 Best National Universities. Score ranges: each university's Common Data Set. Bluebear SAT is not affiliated with U.S. News or with any university listed.

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