31 Colleges With Highest SAT Scores in U.S
Newly enrolled students at these schools earned an average reading and math SAT score of 1494, the U.S. Shows news data.
SAT scores can be important in college admissions decisions.
More colleges are placing less emphasis on SAT scores, instead focusing on other factors such as GPA, course rigor, extra-curricular activities, essay prompts and letters of recommendation in the admissions process. Despite the increase in test-optional or test-blind policies, many admissions experts recommend that students still take the SAT if the school accepts the score — unless there are financial or logistical constraints — because it is positive for their application. There may be an addition. While the average SAT score for the Class of 2021 was 1060, according to the College Board, applicants admitted to schools on this list scored much higher. In an annual survey, the U.S. Among the colleges ranked by Talkaaj, the following 31 schools boasted the highest combined average SAT reading and math scores for fall 2021 admissions. (Shown here from lowest to highest score.) Testing policies are subject to change, so applicants should refer to the school’s website for updated admissions requirements.
Colby College (ME)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
24, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Georgetown University (D.C.)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Required
22 (tie), National Universities
Hamilton College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
15 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
University of Southern California
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
25 (tie), National Universities
Vassar College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
13 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Boston College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1466
Testing policy: Test-optional
36 (tie), National Universities
Emory University (GA)
Average SAT score: 1473
Testing policy: Test-optional
22 (tie), National Universities
Carleton College (MN)
Average SAT score: 1475
Testing policy: Test-optional
6 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Barnard College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1478
Testing policy: Test-optional
18 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Amherst College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1480
Testing policy: Test-optional
2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Dartmouth College (NH)
Average SAT score: 1481
Testing policy: Test-optional
12, National Universities
Northeastern University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1481
Testing policy: Test-optional
44 (tie), National Universities
Tufts University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1485
Testing policy: Test-optional
32 (tie), National Universities
Cornell University (NY)
Average SAT score: 1488
Testing policy: Test-optional
17, National Universities
Swarthmore College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1489
Testing policy: Test-optional
4, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Haverford College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1490
Testing policy: Test-optional
18 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
New York University
Average SAT score: 1493
Testing policy: Test-optional
25 (tie), National Universities
Brown University (RI)
Average SAT score: 1495
Testing policy: Test-optional
13 (tie), National Universities
Northwestern University (IL)
Average SAT score: 1496
Testing policy: Test-optional
10 (tie), National Universities
Princeton University (NJ)
Average SAT score: 1500
Testing policy: Test-optional
1, National Universities
Williams College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1501
Testing policy: Test-optional
1, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Average SAT score: 1509
Testing policy: Test-optional
22 (tie), National Universities
Pomona College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1509
Testing policy: Test-optional
3, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Harvard University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1510
Testing policy: Test-optional
3 (tie), National Universities
Yale University (CT)
Average SAT score: 1511
Testing policy: Test-optional
3 (tie), National Universities
University of Pennsylvania
Average SAT score: 1513
Testing policy: Test-optional
7 (tie), National Universities
Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1520
Testing policy: Test-optional
29 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Average SAT score: 1522
Testing policy: Test-optional
15 (tie), National Universities
Stanford University (CA)
Average SAT score: 1528
Testing policy: Test-optional
3 (tie), National Universities
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Average SAT score: 1538
Testing policy: Required
2, National Universities
University of Chicago (IL)
Average SAT score: 1545
Testing policy: Test-optional
6, National Universities
Find the best college for you.
Find out more about how to choose a college, and check out our complete ranking of the best colleges to find the best school for you. All U.S. Sign up for the US College Compass to access score breakdowns and averages at news-ranked schools. For more advice and information on how to choose a college, visit U.S. on Twitter and Facebook. Join News Education.
Schools with highest SAT scores for admitted students
University of Chicago
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Stanford University
Washington University in St. Louis
Harvey Mudd College
University of Pennsylvania
Yale University
Harvard University
Carnegie Mellon University
Pomona College
Williams College
Princeton University
Northwestern University
Brown University
New York University
Haverford College
Swarthmore College
Cornell University
Tufts University
Dartmouth College
Northeastern University
Amherst College
Barnard College
Carleton College
Emory University
Boston College
Colby College
Georgetown University
Hamilton College
University of Southern California
Vassar College
