Average SAT Score — National, By Major, By State (2024)
See how the national average SAT score has changed over time and how your score compares to students with your intended major and in your state.
How Does Your Score Compare?
Enter your SAT total score, intended major, and state to see how you compare to national, major-group, and state averages — plus which college tier your score is competitive for.
Total composite score (400–1600)
National Average SAT Score by Year (2017–2023)
College Board publishes national score data annually. The table below covers the fully redesigned SAT (launched 2016) through 2023, the most recent comparable full dataset. The 2024 reporting year marks the first full year of the digital SAT for US students — College Board is transitioning its reporting methodology; 2023 figures remain the most recent directly comparable data.
| Year | Total Average | EBRW Average | Math Average | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1060 | 533 | 527 | Baseline year for redesigned SAT (launched 2016) |
| 2018 | 1068▲ | 536▲ | 531▲ | Highest average in this dataset |
| 2019 | 1059▼ | 531▼ | 528▼ | Slight decline from 2018 peak |
| 2020 | 1051▼ | 528▼ | 523▼ | Pandemic year — many test centers closed |
| 2021 | 1060▲ | 533▲ | 528▲ | Rebound to pre-pandemic level |
| 2022 | 1050▼ | 529▼ | 521▼ | First full post-pandemic year; scores declined |
| 2023 | 1028▼ | 513▼ | 515▼ | Lowest average in recent years; digital SAT transition (international) |
Trend Analysis
SAT scores remained in a narrow band of 1050–1068 from 2017 to 2022 — reflecting a relatively stable test-taking population. The 2023 decline to 1028 is the most notable shift in the dataset. Contributing factors include the broader rollout of state-mandated SAT testing (bringing more non-college-bound students into the average), ongoing post-pandemic effects on academic preparation, and the international transition to the digital SAT format which was new to many US-based test takers.
College Board has published concordance tables confirming digital SAT scores are directly comparable to paper SAT scores at equivalent scale points. The mean of approximately 1028 is deliberately calibrated near the midpoint of the 400–1600 scale to reflect the full distribution of test-takers. Year-to-year fluctuations are driven primarily by changes in the size and composition of the test-taking population, not by changes in the difficulty of the exam itself.
Average SAT Score by Intended College Major
College Board surveys students on their intended major at test registration. These averages reflect the self-selected population planning to study each field — students intending to study STEM subjects generally score higher in Math, while students intending humanities and arts score more evenly across sections.
| Intended Major | Average Score Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science and Engineering | 1150–1200 | High Math average driven by quantitative self-selection |
| Mathematics and Statistics | 1180–1220 | Highest average Math scores of any major group |
| Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry) | 1160–1200 | Strongly quantitative field |
| Biological Sciences | 1080–1120 | Broad science interest group |
| Economics | 1150–1180 | Combines quantitative and analytical skills |
| Business and Management | 1020–1060 | Large and diverse major group |
| Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology) | 1000–1040 | Broad participant pool |
| Education | 960–1000 | Lower average reflects broad demographic participation |
| Arts and Humanities (English, History, Philosophy) | 1040–1080 | More balanced EBRW vs. Math performance |
| Fine and Performing Arts | 980–1020 | Broad creative-field participant pool |
| Health Sciences (Nursing, Pre-Med) | 1040–1080 | Wide range within health-related fields |
| Communications | 980–1020 | Large and diverse participant pool |
| Criminal Justice | 920–960 | Lower average reflects diverse test-taking population |
| Undecided | 1000–1040 | Broad mix of student profiles |
What If My Score Is Below the Average for My Intended Major?
These are averages of test-takers who listed that major at registration — not college admission requirements. Many successful students in every major scored below these averages. College admissions considers GPA, extracurriculars, essays, letters of recommendation, and other factors alongside SAT.
A below-average SAT for your intended major does not disqualify you from applying to or being admitted to programs in that field. Use these figures for orientation, not as a hard cutoff.
Average SAT Score by State
| State | Average SAT Score | Participation Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 1013 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Connecticut | 1010 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Delaware | 985 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Idaho | 993 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Maine | 1005 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| New Hampshire | 1039 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Florida | 977 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Colorado | 1009 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Illinois | 1001 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Rhode Island | 985 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| West Virginia | 943 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| District of Columbia | 909 | 100% | Mandatory |
| North Carolina | 1010 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Georgia | 993 | 100% | Mandatory statewide |
| Massachusetts | 1107 | 80% | High participation; selective self-selection |
| New York | 1054 | 75% | — |
| California | 1070 | 63% | — |
| Texas | 1012 | 68% | — |
| Ohio | 1048 | 39% | — |
| Pennsylvania | 1077 | 69% | — |
| Iowa | 1265 | <5% — self-selected | Self-selected; ACT dominant |
| Kansas | 1185 | <5% — self-selected | Self-selected; ACT dominant |
| Nebraska | 1247 | <5% — self-selected | Self-selected; ACT dominant |
| Mississippi | 1264 | <5% — self-selected | Self-selected; ACT dominant |
| North Dakota | 1240 | <5% — self-selected | Self-selected; ACT dominant |
Why Do Some States Have Higher Average SAT Scores?
The answer is almost entirely explained by participation rate. In a state where only 3–5% of students take the SAT (typically the most academically prepared, college-bound students), the average will always be dramatically higher than in a state where 100% of students are required to take it regardless of college plans.
This is statistical selection bias — not a reflection of educational quality. States like Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Mississippi, and North Dakota show averages of 1180–1265 because the ACT is the dominant college admissions test in those states and only a small self-selected group of high achievers takes the SAT. Comparing these to a state like West Virginia (943, 100% participation) without this context is deeply misleading.
Average SAT Score by College Type and Selectivity
The averages below are for enrolled students — not applicants. Applicant pools have lower averages because many students apply to reach schools. The middle 50% range means 25% of enrolled students scored below the lower bound and 25% scored above the upper bound.
| College Type | Typical Enrolled Avg | Middle 50% Range | Admissions Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy League | 1500–1560 | 1480–1580 | Extremely selective; class sizes typically under 2,000/year |
| Top 10 Research Universities | 1490–1550 | 1460–1570 | MIT, Stanford, Caltech, Johns Hopkins, etc. |
| Top 25 Universities | 1420–1500 | 1400–1530 | Duke, Northwestern, Rice, Vanderbilt, etc. |
| Top 50 Universities | 1350–1430 | 1300–1470 | Notre Dame, Georgetown, Carnegie Mellon, etc. |
| Top 100 Universities | 1250–1350 | 1200–1400 | Broad range of selective state flagships |
| All 4-Year Colleges (national avg) | 1180–1220 | 1050–1300 | Full range including open-enrollment institutions |
| 2-Year / Community Colleges | 950–1050 | 800–1100 | Many are open enrollment; SAT not always required |
| All SAT test takers | 1028 | ~800–1260 | National average including non-college-bound students |
How to Use College Score Averages in Your Planning
- Identify your target colleges and look up their middle 50% SAT range on their Common Data Set or admissions website.
- If your score is at or above the 50th percentile of a school's range (the midpoint of the middle 50%), it is a strength in your application.
- If your score is below the 25th percentile of a school's range, it is a weakness — consider whether to retake the SAT or apply test-optional if the school allows it.
- Use the middle 50% range to categorise schools: reach (your score below 25th percentile), match (your score within middle 50%), and safety (your score above 75th percentile).