This hub collects our SAT score guides for 43 colleges. Each guide gives the school’s SAT middle 50% by section, its current testing policy checked on the school’s own admissions site, and the score to aim for. Use the tables below to compare schools, then open a guide for the details.
The ranges come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, or from the school’s own newer numbers where it publishes them. The middle 50% means a quarter of students scored below the range and a quarter scored above it. For comparison, the national average for the class of 2026 was 1045.
Colleges that require the SAT or ACT
| College | SAT middle 50% | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Caltech SAT scores | about 1550 to 1580 | |
| Georgetown SAT scores | 1390 to 1550 | |
| Harvard SAT scores | 1510 to 1580 | |
| Johns Hopkins SAT scores | 1520 to 1570 | |
| MIT SAT scores | 1520 to 1580 | |
| Stanford SAT scores | 1520 to 1570 | |
| UCF SAT scores | 1310 to 1420 | |
| UF SAT scores | 1420 to 1520 | |
| USF SAT scores | 1290 to 1420 | |
| Yale SAT scores | 1470 to 1570 |
Florida’s public universities (UF, UCF and USF) require a score under state rules. For Florida’s scholarship cutoffs, see Bright Futures SAT scores.
Colleges bringing testing back soon
| College | SAT middle 50% | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Princeton SAT scores | 1510 to 1580 | required from the 2027-28 cycle |
| Vanderbilt SAT scores | 1500 to 1570 | required for fall 2029 entry |
Colleges where it depends on your program or GPA
| College | SAT middle 50% | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Mellon SAT scores | 1500 to 1570 | required for Computer Science; test-flexible elsewhere |
| Elon SAT scores | 1130 to 1280 | required for Nursing and homeschooled applicants |
| LSU SAT scores | 1170 to 1350 | required if GPA is below 3.5 |
Test-optional colleges
| College | SAT middle 50% | Note |
|---|---|---|
| American University SAT scores | 1320 to 1430 | |
| Arizona State SAT scores | 1120 / 1180 aptitude | not required; 1120 meets aptitude rule |
| Babson SAT scores | 1450 to 1530 | |
| Barnard SAT scores | 1470 to 1560 | |
| Bucknell SAT scores | 1310 to 1470 | |
| Case Western SAT scores | 1420 to 1510 | |
| Colgate SAT scores | 1430 to 1540 | |
| Duke SAT scores | 1500 to 1570 | |
| Emory SAT scores | 1500 to 1550 | |
| Lehigh SAT scores | 1370 to 1500 | |
| Middlebury SAT scores | 1445 to 1550 | |
| NYU SAT scores | 1480 to 1560 | |
| Penn State SAT scores | 1240 to 1420 | |
| RPI SAT scores | 1375 to 1510 | |
| Rice SAT scores | 1510 to 1570 | recommended |
| SMU SAT scores | 1340 to 1490 | |
| Tufts SAT scores | 1470 to 1560 | |
| Tulane SAT scores | 1400 to 1520 | |
| UChicago SAT scores | 1510 to 1580 | |
| UConn SAT scores | 1320 to 1460 | |
| USC SAT scores | 1470 to 1540 | |
| UVA SAT scores | 1410 to 1540 | |
| Villanova SAT scores | 1440 to 1520 | |
| Virginia Tech SAT scores | 1280 to 1450 | |
| WPI SAT scores | 1340 to 1480 (pre-2021) | test-optional again |
| Wake Forest SAT scores | 1410 to 1520 | |
| William & Mary SAT scores | 1400 to 1530 |
At test-optional schools, the ranges include only students who chose to send scores.
Test-free colleges
| College | SAT middle 50% | Note |
|---|---|---|
| UCLA SAT scores | not used | scores not considered |
How to use these ranges
- Inside the middle 50%: your score is typical for that school. Your grades, courses and essays decide the rest.
- Above the 75th percentile: your score is a strength. Send it.
- Below the 25th percentile: at a test-optional school, consider applying without it. At a test-required school, plan a retake.
- Check each section, not just the total. Many top schools have a Math range starting at 770 or higher.
Where do you stand against these ranges?
Take a free full-length practice test and compare your section scores to your target schools.
Want to search more schools by SAT range, cost and size? Try the College Finder.
Frequently asked questions
Which colleges require the SAT in 2026-27?
Of the 43 schools here, Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Caltech, UF, UCF and USF require the SAT or ACT. Princeton and Vanderbilt will require it again soon.
What does middle 50% mean?
The scores of the middle half of students: 25% scored below the range and 25% scored above it.
Where do these numbers come from?
College Scorecard from the U.S. Department of Education, or the school’s own published profile where newer.
Explore every SAT hub
- Digital SAT Complete Guide Format, scoring and a full study plan
- Advanced Math and Vocabulary Hub Hard math topics and high-value words
- SAT Grammar Guide Every grammar and punctuation rule
- SAT Reading Guide Reading question types and strategies
- SAT Practice Tests Guide Official tests and how to use them
- Desmos Guide Calculator shortcuts for SAT Math
- PSAT Guide PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9 and National Merit
- Test Strategy Hub Timing, pacing and prep resources
- SAT Predictions Questions most likely to repeat
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard.
- Each college’s admissions website, cited on its own guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which colleges require the SAT in 2026-27?
Of these 43: Harvard, Stanford, MIT, Yale, Georgetown, Johns Hopkins, Caltech, UF, UCF and USF. Princeton and Vanderbilt will require it again soon.
What does middle 50% mean?
25% of students scored below the range and 25% scored above it.