What Are Average SAT Scores — and What Do Colleges Really Want in 2026?

What Are Average SAT Scores, Really?

As you’re building a college application, a constant and important consideration is whether your credentials are as strong as those of your peers. If you’re prepping for the SAT and considering how well you compare to other students and how your scores will impact your application, you’ve surely wondered: What are are average SAT scores? According to the College Board, the SAT average is officially “around 1050,” but your own metric for “average” will shift depending on your goal schools.

Why Are “Average” SAT Scores Misleading?

Statistics on accepted college students are useful for judging the relative strength of your application. However, these metrics can be misleading. Calculations of averages scores can skewed by especially high or low scores. Further, at test-optional schools, average scores tend to appear higher because students with low scores are likely to omit them. For these reasons, we prefer to use the “middle 50%” as a metric for determining whether scores are competitive at a school.

Why Do Colleges Focus on Score Ranges, Not Single Numbers?

Many schools publish data on a range of test scores for admitted students. The “middle 50%” is the range of scores from the 25th percentile to 75th percentile. In other words, if you ranked all of the incoming students at a college from lowest to highest by their test scores, the “middle 50%” ignores the top and bottom quarter, showing the range of scores of the half that spans the center. By excluding the exceptionally high or low scores, this metric is a realistic measure of the typical accepted student.

Does Being Below Average Mean Rejection?

No, you don’t need a score that is average or in the 50th percentile to be a competitive applicant at a school. These data only show us the middle of the pack, and you need to keep in mind that about half of students rank above or below these points. We use the “middle 50%” because it helps us take into account the other aspects of your applications; if you have especially strong grades, extracurriculars, or achievements, these strengths can compensate for relatively weak scores, which is how many students are accepted when they score around the 25th percentile.

How Do GPA, Course Rigor, and Scores Work Together?

Why are SAT scores an important consideration for colleges? For decades, high school grade point averages (GPA) have been rising, so about half of college applicants have an A average. With so many students boasting top grades, this metric is no longer an effective differentiator. When college admissions offices sort through the piles of applications, they need some data to indicate which students are best suited to their schools. While admissions offices still consider GPA, they combine this metric with other factors:

• Course rigor – the number of challenging classes taken, such as APs and Honors courses
• Relative performance – how well the student’s application compares to peers at their high school
• SAT scores – standardized measures of academic ability

As these data are being considered by admissions, what SAT or ACT scores do colleges want? Standards vary, and while the average SAT scores are “around 1050,” you may need a significantly higher score to be competitive among the average admitted students at some schools.

How Do SAT Scores Vary by College Selectivity?

Generally, average SAT scores at top colleges are higher. There are two main reasons for these higher standards: these desirable schools receive an especially high number of applicants, which means they need ways to filter applications down to be more manageable; and these schools tend to have rigorous courses, so high test scores can be assurance that students will be able to pass their classes. Considering these factors, it’s understandable that the “middle 50%” at Harvard is an SAT score range of 1510–1580, it’s 1500–1560 at Princeton, and it’s 1480–1560 at Yale. Compare that to the 1160–1390 range at Texas A&M or 1100–1310 at Michigan State University. If you’re wondering, “What SAT or ACT scores do colleges want?” the answer depends on where you look.

How Does Your Major and Location Affect Your Application?

Depending on the degree you’re pursuing, the colleges to which you’re applying may have unique priorities when assessing your application. For example, if you’re a STEM student, college admissions offices may place more emphasis on high scores in the SAT Math section, as well as STEM-related AP exams. Schools may also have different standards for in-state residents. Also, check for scholarships and merit-aid awards, which may have different standards or availability depending on where you live or what degree you’re pursuing.

How Can You Use Average SAT Score Data Strategically?

Ideally, your test scores should be at the median (50th percentile) at the schools where you’re applying. These scores make admissions offices feel confident that you’re well suited to attend. Reaching this threshold of median scores is a guiding factor in deciding whether you should retake the test. Retesting is usually a good idea because most schools will allow Superscoring, combining the best scores from each SAT section of multiple test administrations. Most students should take the test 2–3 times to optimize their scores, especially if they need some improvement to be competitive among applicants to their goal schools.

The statistics on admission rates (with many competitive schools accepting less than 10% of applicants) highlight the competitiveness of getting into a good school. For the best chance to get into your goal schools, you need to ensure that each part of your application is a strength, including your test scores. Contact us if you want expert analysis of your scores and guidance on how to make improvements.