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U.S. News & World Report
October 30, 2022, 8:00 PM
SAT scores can be important in college admissions decisions.
More colleges are placing less emphasis on SAT scores, instead focusing on other factors in the admissions process such as GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, essay prompts and letters of recommendation. Despite the rise in test-optional or test-blind policies, many admissions experts suggest students still take the SAT if the school accepts scores — unless there are financial or logistical barriers — as it can be a positive addition to their application. While the average SAT score for the class of 2021 was 1060, per the College Board, applicants admitted to schools on this list earned much higher marks. Among colleges ranked by U.S. News in an annual survey, the following 31 schools boasted the highest combined average SAT reading and math scores for fall 2021 entrants. (Shown here from lowest to highest score.) Test policies are subject to change, so applicants should refer to a school’s website for updated admission requirements.
Colby College (ME)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 24, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Colby College.
Georgetown University (D.C.)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Required
U.S. News rank: 22 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Georgetown University.
Hamilton College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 15 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Hamilton College.
University of Southern California
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 25 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about the University of Southern California.
Vassar College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1465
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 13 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Vassar College.
Boston College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1466
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 36 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Boston College.
Emory University (GA)
Average SAT score: 1473
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 22 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Emory University.
Carleton College (MN)
Average SAT score: 1475
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 6 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Carleton College.
Barnard College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1478
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 18 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Barnard College.
Amherst College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1480
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Amherst College.
Dartmouth College (NH)
Average SAT score: 1481
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 12, National Universities
Learn more about Dartmouth College.
Northeastern University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1481
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 44 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Northeastern University.
Tufts University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1485
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 32 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Tufts University.
Cornell University (NY)
Average SAT score: 1488
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 17, National Universities
Learn more about Cornell University.
Swarthmore College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1489
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 4, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Swarthmore College.
Haverford College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1490
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 18 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Haverford College.
New York University
Average SAT score: 1493
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 25 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about New York University.
Brown University (RI)
Average SAT score: 1495
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 13 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Brown University.
Northwestern University (IL)
Average SAT score: 1496
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 10 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Northwestern University.
Princeton University (NJ)
Average SAT score: 1500
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 1, National Universities
Learn more about Princeton University.
Williams College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1501
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 1, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Williams College.
Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Average SAT score: 1509
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 22 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Carnegie Mellon University.
Pomona College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1509
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 3, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Pomona College.
Harvard University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1510
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 3 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Harvard University.
Yale University (CT)
Average SAT score: 1511
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 3 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Yale University.
University of Pennsylvania
Average SAT score: 1513
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 7 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about the University of Pennsylvania.
Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1520
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 29 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Harvey Mudd College.
Washington University in St. Louis (MO)
Average SAT score: 1522
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 15 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Washington University in St. Louis.
Stanford University (CA)
Average SAT score: 1528
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 3 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Stanford University.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Average SAT score: 1538
Testing policy: Required
U.S. News rank: 2, National Universities
Learn more about Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
University of Chicago (IL)
Average SAT score: 1545
Testing policy: Test-optional
U.S. News rank: 6, National Universities
Learn more about the University of Chicago.
Find the best college for you.
Get more information about how to choose a college, and check out the complete rankings of the Best Colleges to find the school that’s best for you. Sign up for U.S. News College Compass to access score breakdowns and averages at all U.S. News-ranked schools. For more advice and information on how to select a college, connect with U.S. News Education on Twitter and Facebook.
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
More from U.S. News
How Important Are SAT, ACT Scores in College Admissions?
The SAT is Changing: Here’s What to Know
When and How to Cancel Your SAT, ACT Scores
31 Colleges With the Highest SAT Scores originally appeared on usnews.com
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