SAT/ACT

What Is a Good SAT Score for US Universities?

Q: What is a good SAT score?

It depends on your colleges. 1200 is above about 76% of test-takers; 1400+ is strong for selective universities; the most selective colleges usually see 1500–1570.

Q: What is the average SAT score?

1029 for the class of 2025, out of a maximum of 1600.

Q: Is 1300 a good SAT score?

Yes, it is well above average and competitive at many selective universities, though below the typical range at the most selective colleges.

Q: What SAT score do I need for the Ivy League?

Admitted students typically score around 1500–1570, though scores are only one part of holistic review.

A good SAT score depends on your target colleges. Learn SAT score range, middle 50 percent ranges, and how to set a target score.

7 min readPublished 2026-08-04Last reviewed 2026-09-29

By Oxbrivy Editorial Team. Reviewed by Oxbrivy study-abroad testing desk.

Quick answer

A good SAT score depends on where you apply. The average for the class of 2025 was 1029 out of 1600. A score of 1200 places you around the 76th percentile of test-takers, 1400 around the 93rd, and 1500 around the 98th. For the most selective colleges, admitted students typically score about 1500–1570; for many strong universities, 1300–1450 is competitive. Aim for at or above the middle of the range at the colleges on your list.

Key takeaways

The SAT is scored 400–1600: Reading and Writing plus Math, each 200–800.
Class of 2025 average: 1029.
1200 ≈ 76th percentile, 1400 ≈ 93rd, 1500 ≈ 98th (SAT user percentiles).
Most selective colleges: admitted students typically 1500–1570.
A "good" score is one at or above the median of the colleges you are targeting.
Many colleges superscore, combining your best section scores across sittings.

Oxbrivy practical ranking

Use this as a starting point, then personalise it with your budget, profile, and course.

College testing policy

Best for: Checking whether each college is test required, optional, preferred, flexible, or blind.

Watch out: Old test-optional lists can be wrong for the 2026 cycle.

Score value

Best for: Comparing SAT or ACT scores with each college's middle 50 percent range.

Watch out: A score is only good or weak in relation to a target college, program, and scholarship rule.

Deadline strategy

Best for: Planning attempts, retakes, superscore use, and score-sending before ED, EA, RD, and scholarship deadlines.

Watch out: Retaking without a real payoff can steal time from grades, essays, and applications.

SAT scores and percentiles

Percentiles show the share of test-takers who scored at or below you. These figures are approximate SAT user percentiles from College Board data.

SAT total scores and approximate percentiles
SAT total	Approximate percentile	What it means
1029	About average	Class of 2025 mean score
1200	About 76th	Competitive at many universities
1400	About 93rd	Strong for selective universities
1500	About 98th	In range for the most selective colleges
1600	Top score	Maximum possible

US campus representing SAT and ACT preparation for international students — SAT/ACT decisions should be made college by college, not by generic score myths.

What is a good score for your college list?

Colleges publish the middle 50% range of scores for admitted students, often in their Common Data Set. Scoring at or above the midpoint makes the score a strength.

Typical SAT ranges by college selectivity
College type	Typical middle 50% of admitted students
Most selective (e.g. Ivy League, MIT, Stanford)	About 1500–1570
Highly selective universities	About 1400–1500
Selective public and private universities	About 1250–1400
Many other four-year colleges	About 1000–1250

University campus representing target scores and scholarship planning — Oxbrivy helps students compare testing policy, score value, scholarships, and application deadlines in one workflow.

Setting your target score

List your colleges and note each one’s middle-50% range. Your target is the midpoint of your most ambitious realistic choices.

If you are below the 25th percentile at a test-optional college, consider applying without a score. At test-required colleges, retake if a higher score is realistic.

For merit scholarships, a score above the college’s median often matters, so check scholarship pages for thresholds.

Improving your score

Take a full-length practice test on the official Bluebook app to get a baseline, then target your weaker section.

Most students improve most between their first and second sitting. Plan a first attempt by the end of Class 11, leaving time for a retake before early deadlines.

The Oxbrivy Admit Probability Engine shows how your score fits each college on your list.

Frequently asked questions