Short answer: the middle 50% of first-year students who enrolled at Princeton University scored about 1510 to 1580 on the SAT, with an average of 1553. That means a quarter of enrolled first-years scored 1510 or lower and a quarter scored 1580 or higher. These numbers come from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Princeton at a glance
SAT middle 50%: 1510 to 1580 | Average: 1553
Reading and Writing: 740 to 780 | Math: 770 to 800
ACT middle 50%: 34 to 35
Admission rate: 4.6%
Princeton SAT scores by section
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 740 | 780 |
| Math | 770 | 800 |
| Total (sum of sections) | 1510 | 1580 |
The total row adds the two section numbers, so treat it as a close estimate, not an exact percentile of total scores. For comparison, the average SAT score for the class of 2026 was 1045 (528 Reading and Writing, 517 Math), according to College Board.
Does Princeton require the SAT?
Not yet. Princeton is test-optional for students applying in the 2025 to 2026 and 2026 to 2027 cycles (enrolling in fall 2026 or fall 2027). Starting with the 2027 to 2028 cycle, for students enrolling in fall 2028, Princeton will require the SAT or ACT again. Princeton says students who apply without scores before then are not at a disadvantage.
- Why it is changing: Princeton reviewed five years of test-optional data and found that students who submitted scores performed better academically at Princeton than students who did not.
- Superscoring: Princeton takes your highest section scores across SAT sittings, but it does not combine a paper SAT with a digital SAT.
- Test deadlines: take the SAT by the October date for single-choice early action or the December date for regular decision.
- SAT code: 2672.
- Who submits now: in Princeton’s 2025 to 2026 Common Data Set, 60% of the fall 2025 first-year class sent SAT scores and 20% sent ACT scores.
What SAT score should you aim for?
Princeton’s middle 50% is about 1510 to 1580. If you are in the class of 2028 (11th grade in fall 2026) or younger, you will apply in the 2027 to 2028 cycle or later, when testing is required, so plan on sending a score. Aim for 1510 or higher to sit inside the range, and 1580 or higher to be in the top quarter.
If you apply sooner, while Princeton is still test-optional, send your score only if it is near or above 1510. Math at Princeton runs 770 to 800, so Math is usually the section to push.
Where do you stand against Princeton’s range?
Take a free full-length practice test and compare your section scores to 780 (Reading and Writing) and 800 (Math).
How to close the gap
- Find your weaker section by comparing each score to Princeton’s 75th percentile above.
- Practice at the top difficulty level. Scores in this range come from getting the hardest questions right. Try these hard SAT math questions and this hard SAT English practice test.
- Drill your weak skills in Targeted Practice.
- Compare schools with similar ranges in the College Finder.
Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for Princeton?
There is no cutoff, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored about 1510 to 1580.
What is the average SAT score at Princeton?
College Scorecard lists an average of 1553.
Does Princeton require the SAT?
Princeton is test-optional for fall 2026 and fall 2027 entry, and will require the SAT or ACT again starting with the 2027-28 cycle (fall 2028 entry).
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Princeton University (latest admissions data, accessed October 2026).
- Princeton Admission, Application Checklist.
- Princeton Office of Institutional Research, Common Data Set 2025-2026.
- College Board Newsroom, Class of 2026 SAT results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need for Princeton?
There is no cutoff, but the middle 50% of enrolled first-year students scored about 1510 to 1580.
What is the average SAT score at Princeton?
College Scorecard lists an average of 1553.
Does Princeton require the SAT?
Princeton is test-optional for fall 2026 and fall 2027 entry, and will require the SAT or ACT again starting with the 2027-28 cycle (fall 2028 entry).