Short answer: the average SAT score for the class of 2026 was 1045 nationally (528 Reading and Writing, 517 Math), across 1,954,833 students, according to College Board. State averages ranged from 876 in New Mexico to 1270 in Nebraska. But you cannot rank states by these numbers alone, because the share of students who take the SAT ranges from 1% to 100%.
Why the highest averages come from states where few students test
When only a few graduates in a state take the SAT, the average describes that small group, not the whole state. Nebraska had the top average, 1270, from just 436 test takers (2%% of graduates). North Dakota’s 1211 came from 122 students.
At the other end, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico and Rhode Island all show 100%% participation, so nearly every graduate’s score is in the average. Their averages run from 876 to 959. The best comparison is between states with similar participation rates.
States where at least half of students took the SAT
21 states (counting DC) are here. Sorted by total score. Massachusetts leads this group with 1128.
| State | Took the SAT | Test takers | Total | RW | Math |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 57% | 43,829 | 1128 | 571 | 557 |
| Virginia | 50% | 51,981 | 1113 | 566 | 548 |
| Vermont | 50% | 2,940 | 1107 | 571 | 536 |
| New Jersey | 68% | 74,209 | 1069 | 539 | 530 |
| New York | 63% | 127,180 | 1053 | 529 | 524 |
| Georgia | 60% | 79,606 | 1041 | 531 | 510 |
| New Hampshire | 83% | 12,559 | 1025 | 529 | 497 |
| South Carolina | 54% | 31,717 | 1021 | 524 | 497 |
| Maryland | 74% | 54,985 | 1012 | 518 | 494 |
| Idaho | 67% | 16,124 | 1010 | 519 | 491 |
| Colorado | 92% | 59,974 | 994 | 511 | 484 |
| Connecticut | 94% | 41,754 | 992 | 507 | 485 |
| Florida | 86% | 204,701 | 983 | 506 | 477 |
| Texas | 75% | 308,166 | 972 | 494 | 478 |
| Michigan | 100% | 105,586 | 959 | 492 | 466 |
| District of Columbia | 82% | 5,935 | 957 | 487 | 469 |
| Indiana | 100% | 83,218 | 952 | 489 | 463 |
| Rhode Island | 100% | 11,393 | 946 | 486 | 460 |
| Delaware | 98% | 11,596 | 929 | 480 | 449 |
| West Virginia | 98% | 16,965 | 918 | 480 | 438 |
| New Mexico | 100% | 24,051 | 876 | 454 | 422 |
States where fewer than half took the SAT
30 states. Participation in this group runs from 1% to 46%, so compare with care.
| State | Took the SAT | Test takers | Total | RW | Math |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 2% | 436 | 1270 | 642 | 628 |
| Wisconsin | 2% | 1,424 | 1244 | 623 | 621 |
| Utah | 2% | 995 | 1242 | 626 | 615 |
| Wyoming | 2% | 105 | 1239 | 624 | 615 |
| Kansas | 2% | 910 | 1236 | 625 | 611 |
| Minnesota | 4% | 2,680 | 1231 | 619 | 611 |
| Iowa | 2% | 931 | 1227 | 624 | 603 |
| Illinois | 15% | 20,254 | 1215 | 608 | 607 |
| Montana | 5% | 530 | 1213 | 620 | 594 |
| North Dakota | 1% | 122 | 1211 | 618 | 594 |
| South Dakota | 2% | 227 | 1208 | 610 | 598 |
| Louisiana | 3% | 1,476 | 1198 | 611 | 587 |
| Nevada | 7% | 2,423 | 1189 | 604 | 585 |
| Tennessee | 5% | 3,717 | 1189 | 607 | 582 |
| Arkansas | 3% | 1,012 | 1187 | 608 | 580 |
| Missouri | 4% | 2,919 | 1187 | 604 | 584 |
| Arizona | 10% | 8,868 | 1186 | 600 | 586 |
| Oklahoma | 3% | 1,378 | 1183 | 606 | 577 |
| North Carolina | 23% | 27,393 | 1177 | 593 | 584 |
| Alabama | 3% | 1,739 | 1175 | 600 | 575 |
| Kentucky | 4% | 1,841 | 1147 | 588 | 559 |
| Oregon | 26% | 11,062 | 1136 | 585 | 552 |
| Hawaii | 31% | 4,296 | 1132 | 575 | 558 |
| California | 30% | 138,763 | 1108 | 560 | 548 |
| Washington | 37% | 30,576 | 1103 | 562 | 541 |
| Alaska | 27% | 2,416 | 1093 | 564 | 529 |
| Pennsylvania | 46% | 63,620 | 1092 | 557 | 535 |
| Maine | 39% | 5,275 | 1087 | 561 | 526 |
| Ohio | 22% | 31,008 | 1034 | 523 | 511 |
| Mississippi | 2% | 806 | 1029 | 525 | 505 |
“Took the SAT” is College Board’s participation rate: class of 2026 test takers divided by the state’s estimated number of high school graduates. If a student tested more than once, only the most recent score counts. Section scores may not add exactly to the total because of rounding.
What this means for your score
Colleges compare you with their own applicants, not with your state. A score above the national average of 1045 can still sit below the middle range at a selective school. Check the range for the schools on your list in our SAT scores by college guide, and see what your score means nationally in what is the average SAT score.
Where do you stand?
Take a free full-length practice test and get a score you can compare with these averages.
Then work on the skills you miss in Targeted Practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average SAT score in the US?
1045 for the class of 2026: 528 Reading and Writing and 517 Math.
Which state has the highest average SAT score?
Nebraska, at 1270, but only 2% of its graduates took the SAT.
Why are SAT averages low in some states?
In states like Indiana, Michigan and New Mexico, College Board reports 100% participation, so the average includes nearly all graduates.
SAT basics
This guide is part of Digital Sat: Complete Guide, Practice Plan, and Resources.
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- Released SAT Practice Tests: All 8 Official Tests
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Explore every SAT hub
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Sources
- College Board, SAT Suite of Assessments Program Results: 2026 state annual reports and 2026 total group report (accessed October 28, 2026).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average SAT score in the US?
1045 for the class of 2026: 528 Reading and Writing and 517 Math.
Which state has the highest average SAT score?
Nebraska, at 1270, but only 2% of its graduates took the SAT.
Why are SAT averages low in some states?
In states like Indiana, Michigan and New Mexico, College Board reports 100% participation, so the average includes nearly all graduates.