What Is a Good SAT Score?

If you're knee-deep in college research, you know standardized tests like the SAT and ACT can feel like an impossible obstacle to acceptance to your dream school. Despite the rise of test-optional policies, submitting strong scores will make your application stand out, especially at competitive institutions that value academic prowess. As of 2025, the landscape is evolving, but data from recent admissions cycles show clear patterns in what scores get you in the door (or at least a serious look).

In our post, we'll break down SAT score benchmarks by college tiers, based on the middle 50% range, the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students, but aim for the higher end to stand out. We show you the scores needed for the elite top 10 colleges, the strong 11-20, the solid 21-50, and then dipping into 51-100, where scores trend toward 1150 and below. Let’s dive in!

The Elite Tier: Top 10 US National Universities (SAT: 1500–1580)

These are the Ivies and near-Ivies, including Princeton, MIT, and Harvard, where the applicant pool is a who's who of top-ranked students. To be competitive, you're looking at SAT scores in the 1500+ range, putting you in the top 1-2% nationally. The middle 50% hovers around 1500–1580, meaning half of the admits scored below 1500 (still strong) and half above 1580.

College	Middle 50% SAT	Comparable ACT (Middle 50%)
Princeton University	1510–1560	34–35
MIT	1520–1570	34–36
Harvard University	1500–1580	34–36
Stanford University	1500–1560	34–35
Yale University	1500–1560	34–35
UPenn	1510–1570	34–35
Caltech	1520–1570	34–35
Duke University	1530–1560	35–35
Johns Hopkins University	1500–1560	34–35
Northwestern University	1500–1570	34–3

*Essential College Coaches ProTip: At this level, a 1550 SAT (ACT 35) is the sweet spot for the 75th percentile. Nail the essays to match those quantitative/verbal splits.

The Power Players: Ranks 11–20 (SAT: 1450–1570)

Just outside the top tier, schools like UC Berkeley, Columbia, and Rice still demand near-perfect scores. Expect a middle 50% of 1450–1570, a bit more forgiving on the low end, but still looking for top scorers. These spots are for students who shine in STEM, humanities, or leadership.

College	Middle 50% SAT	Comparable ACT (Middle 50%)
UC Berkeley	1330–1530	30–35
Columbia University	1510–1560	34–35
Rice University	1500–1570	34–  35
Cornell University	1490–1580	33–35
University of Chicago	1510–1580	33–35
UCLA	1290–1510	29–32
University of Michigan	1350–1530	31–34
Carnegie Mellon University	1510–1560	33–35
University of Virginia	1400–1540	32–35
Georgetown University	1480–1560	33–35

*Essential College Coaches Pro Tip: A 1520 SAT (ACT 34) keeps you in the mix. Public powerhouses like the UCs are test-free now, but scores can tip the scales for scholarships.

The Strong Contenders: Ranks 21–34 (SAT: 1350–1560)

This tier broadens to include gems like Notre Dame, Carnegie Mellon, and UVA. Scores dip a bit, with a middle 50% spanning 1350–1560, room for growth if you're strong elsewhere. It's where "good" becomes "great" with context.

College	Middle 50% SAT	Comparable ACT (Middle 50%)
Notre Dame	1500–1570	34–35
Emory University	1410–1530	31–34
Boston College	1450–1550	32–35
Georgia Tech	1370–1480	30–33
Wake Forest	1400 - 1500	31-34
NYU	1340–1520	29–34
Northeastern University	1280–1450	27–32
Ohio State University	1230–1430	26–31
University of Florida	1220–1380	25–30
University of Miami	1450–1540	32–34
USC	1340–1470	29–32
UC Davis	1370–1530	30–34
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	1180–1390	24–30
University of Maryland	1350–1480	29–33

*Essential College Coaches Pro Tip: Target 1450 SAT (ACT 33) for the upper half. State flagships offer value, some are half of private tuition.

The Accessible Elites: Ranks 35–51 (SAT: 1150–1500+)

Now we're talking broader access: schools like University of Texas at Austin, UNC Chapel Hill, Pitt and Iowa are very competitive, especially for out-of-state students.. The scores have a big range, with the Middle 50% all the way from 1150–1500, with many clustering around 1250–1400. However, for some colleges on this list, a solid 1250 SAT (ACT 26) can shine, especially if you are an in-state applicant.

College	Middle 50% SAT	Comparable ACT (Middle 50%)
University of Connecticut	1170–1350	24–28
University of Delaware	1110–1320	23–28
University of Denver	1420–1520	31–34
University of Iowa	1450–1535	32–35
University of Kansas	1260–1420	27–31
University of Kentucky	1140–1290	23–27
University of Nebraska	1220–1380	25–30
University of North Carolina	1290–1460	28–32
University of Pittsburgh	1480–1540	33–35
University of South Carolina	1410–1510	31–34
University of Texas at Austin	1260–1480	27–33
University of Wisconsin	1320–1460	28–32
University of Arizona	1150–1370	23–29
University of Central Florida	1230–1430	26–31
University of Colorado Boulder	1350–1430	29–31
University of Minnesota	1170–1380	24–30
University of Oklahoma	1320–1470	28–33

*Essential College Coaches Pro Tip: We have bolded UNC and UT Austin because the grades and scores required for out-of-state applicants are much higher. In fact, for admission to these 2, as an out-of-state applicant, your scores need to be closer to those required by the Top 20 schools. For the rest of these schools, focus on holistic fit, including any volunteer work or unique talents that might elevate your application. Many here are test-optional, so only submit if it helps.

Wrapping It Up: Your Score Strategy for 2025

Whether you're aiming for Harvard's hallowed halls or a rising star like UCF, these benchmarks show the spectrum from 1500+ for the tip-top colleges, down to 1200+ for strong mid-tier options that may still offer merit aid. Bottom line. Tests are one piece of the puzzle, a strong applicant must create an application that shows academic rigor (take the IB/AP classes), passion, and persistence. Most students take the SAT or ACT at least 2 times. Don’t give up and retake if needed, but don't sweat perfection, colleges want humans, not robots.