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SAT Score Requirements by College (Sortable Table)

One of the most common questions we hear is: “What SAT score do I need to get in?” The honest answer depends on far more than a single number, but knowing the score ranges that admitted students typically fall into gives you a practical target to aim for. Below, you will find SAT data for 35 schools spanning the Ivy League, top-20 research universities, top-50 privates, and major state flagships, along with each school’s test-optional status and superscore policy.

SAT Score Ranges for 35 Popular Colleges

School	25th %ile SAT	75th %ile SAT	Test-Optional?	Superscores?
Harvard University	1490	1580	No	Yes
MIT	1510	1580	No	Yes
Stanford University	1500	1570	No	Yes
Princeton University	1500	1570	No	Yes
Yale University	1490	1560	No	Yes
Caltech	1530	1580	No	Yes
Columbia University	1490	1560	No	Yes
University of Chicago	1500	1570	Yes	Yes
Duke University	1480	1560	No	Yes
University of Pennsylvania	1490	1560	No	Yes
Johns Hopkins University	1480	1560	No	Yes
Northwestern University	1470	1550	No	Yes
Rice University	1470	1560	No	Yes
Vanderbilt University	1460	1550	No	Yes
Carnegie Mellon University	1460	1560	No	Yes
Georgetown University	1420	1540	No	No
UCLA	1370	1530	No	Yes
University of Michigan	1360	1520	No	Yes
University of Virginia	1380	1520	No	Yes
Georgia Institute of Technology	1370	1520	No	Yes
University of North Carolina	1330	1500	No	Yes
New York University	1370	1510	Yes	Yes
Boston University	1350	1500	Yes	Yes
University of Florida	1330	1480	No	Yes
University of Texas at Austin	1290	1470	No	Yes
University of Wisconsin-Madison	1310	1470	No	Yes
Penn State University	1210	1390	No	Yes
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	1310	1490	No	Yes
Ohio State University	1250	1420	No	Yes
Purdue University	1220	1430	No	Yes
University of Pittsburgh	1230	1410	Yes	Yes
Indiana University Bloomington	1120	1320	Yes	Yes
Arizona State University	1100	1310	Yes	Yes
Michigan State University	1120	1310	Yes	Yes
University of Oregon	1100	1300	Yes	Yes

Score data reflects the most recently reported admitted class. Policies may change; confirm directly with each admissions office.

How to Use This Data

The 25th and 75th percentile columns tell you the range in which the middle 50 percent of admitted students scored. Here is what that means in practice:

At or above the 75th percentile: Your score is competitive. Academics are unlikely to hold you back, though holistic review means nothing is guaranteed.
Between the 25th and 75th percentile: You are in the ballpark. Strong extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations can push your application over the line.
Below the 25th percentile: Your score alone does not rule you out, but you will need other parts of your application to compensate significantly.

Use these ranges as a reality check, not as a hard cutoff. Admissions at selective schools is holistic, and thousands of students are admitted each year with scores that fall outside the middle 50 percent.

What Percentile Should You Target?

A useful rule of thumb: aim for the 75th percentile of your target school’s range, especially if that school is a reach. Scoring at or above the 75th percentile does two things: it signals academic readiness to the admissions committee, and it often qualifies you for merit-based scholarships at schools that offer them.

If you are applying to a range of schools (which you should be), identify the 75th percentile score for your top-choice school and build your study plan around that target. If you hit it, you will be competitive at every school on your list.

Not sure how to structure your prep? Our SAT vs. ACT guide can help you decide which test plays to your strengths, and our college application timeline lays out when to take each test.

What Superscoring Means for You

Most schools in the table above superscore the SAT, which means they take your highest Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score from one sitting and your highest Math score from another, then combine them into a new composite. This is significant because it means:

You can test multiple times without penalty. A bad section on one test date will not drag down your composite if you perform better on a later attempt.
You can focus your prep. If your Math score is where you want it but Reading needs work, dedicate your study time to Reading and retake with confidence.

Georgetown is a notable exception in the table above. It does not superscore, so your single best sitting is the one that counts.

When to Go Test-Optional

Several strong schools, including the University of Chicago, NYU, Boston University, and the University of Pittsburgh, remain test-optional. Should you take advantage of that policy? Consider going test-optional if:

Your SAT score falls below the 25th percentile of admitted students at that school and additional prep is unlikely to raise it significantly.
Your GPA, course rigor, and extracurriculars are strong enough to carry your application without a test score.
You have test anxiety or logistical barriers that make sitting for the SAT impractical.

On the other hand, if your score is at or above the 50th percentile, submitting it almost always helps. A solid score adds a data point in your favor, and some research suggests that applicants who submit scores at test-optional schools are admitted at slightly higher rates than those who do not.

Key Takeaways

The middle-50-percent range is your most useful benchmark. Aim for the 75th percentile of your top-choice school.
Superscoring works in your favor. Take the SAT more than once and let schools combine your best sections.
Test-optional is a strategic choice, not a free pass. Submit scores when they help; withhold them when they do not.
Scores are one piece of a larger picture. Even at the most selective schools, your essays, recommendations, and activities matter enormously.

Next Steps

Build a balanced college list using score ranges, acceptance rates, and fit. Our college selection guide walks you through the process.
Create a test prep timeline that gives you at least two testing opportunities before application deadlines.
Research financial aid and scholarships — many merit awards are tied directly to SAT performance.
If you are still choosing between the SAT and ACT, read our SAT vs. ACT comparison.

Verify all admissions data with the institution directly. Acceptance rates and requirements change annually.