Twenty years of tutoring has taught me that “is this a good SAT score?” is the wrong question to ask. The right question is whether your score is competitive at the schools on your list. A 1380 is a strong score at plenty of universities and an underwhelming one at others, and the number on its own tells you almost nothing. This guide covers what SAT scores actually translate to and how to set a target tied to your specific college list.
How the SAT Is Scored
The SAT is scored on a 400 to 1600 scale. There are two sections, Reading & Writing and Math, each worth 200 to 800 points. Your composite is the sum of the two.
What Is the Average SAT Score?
The national average has been hovering around 1020–1030 in recent graduating classes. A score above that puts you in the top half of test takers nationally, but the bar at most four-year colleges sits well above the average.
What Is Considered a Good SAT Score?
There is no single number that counts as “good.” Think in tiers instead:
- 1500+ (roughly top 2%): Competitive at the most selective universities, including the Ivy League, MIT, Stanford, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, and Notre Dame.
- 1400+ (roughly top 5–7%): Competitive at highly selective schools like NYU, Boston University, and the University of Virginia.
- 1350+ (roughly top 10%): A strong score for a wide range of selective universities, including Penn State, University of Miami, and Baylor.
- 1280+ (roughly top 15%): Competitive at a broad set of four-year universities such as Arizona State, Michigan State, and the University of Alabama.
For most state schools and regional colleges, middle 50% ranges tend to cluster closer to 1000–1200.
The Most Important Number: The Middle 50%
When you are researching colleges, the number that matters most is the middle 50% SAT range. That is the band between the 25th and 75th percentile of admitted students at the school. A score inside the band makes you competitive. Scoring above it is a real plus on your application, and scoring well below it will work against you even at a test-optional school.
Aim for the upper end of the middle 50% at your target schools rather than the lower end. That puts you in a stronger position for both admission and merit aid.
SAT Score Ranges at Top Colleges
Middle 50% SAT ranges at a sample of well-known schools, from the most recently available data:
| School | Middle 50% SAT Range |
|---|---|
| Harvard | 1510–1580 |
| MIT | 1520–1570 |
| Stanford | 1510–1570 |
| Yale | 1480–1560 |
| Princeton | 1500–1560 |
| Columbia | 1510–1560 |
| Northwestern | 1510–1560 |
| Cornell | 1510–1560 |
| Rice | 1510–1560 |
| Vanderbilt | 1510–1560 |
| Carnegie Mellon | 1510–1560 |
| University of Notre Dame | 1440–1540 |
| University of Michigan | 1360–1530 |
| University of Virginia | 1410–1520 |
| Ohio State | 1280–1430 |
Sources: Common Data Set filings from each institution. Middle 50% ranges reflect the most recently reported enrollment data. Always verify current figures on each school’s official admissions page.
A Note on Test-Optional Admissions
Plenty of colleges remain test-optional, meaning you do not have to submit a score. A strong score can still help, particularly for competitive majors, merit scholarships, and out-of-state applicants. If you do submit at a test-optional school, your score should be at or above the middle 50% range. Sending a score that falls well below the range usually does more harm than good.
A growing number of selective schools have also reinstated testing requirements: MIT, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and Georgetown, among others. Stanford and Cornell have more complex, program-specific policies. Policies are still shifting around, so check each school’s current admissions page before you apply.
How to Set Your Target Score
Work backward from your college list:
- List 8–12 schools you are seriously considering
- Look up the middle 50% SAT range for each
- Identify the highest range on your list and treat it as your target
- Aim for the top of it, not the bottom
Now you have a real number to work toward instead of a vague benchmark.
How to Improve Your Score
The fastest way to improve is targeted practice by question type. Find the specific skills where you are losing the most points and drill those. Repetition is what builds both accuracy and speed. FreeTestPrep.com has free drills for both SAT sections:
Putting It in Perspective
A good SAT score is one that makes you competitive at the schools on your list. The national average is just context. Your real target lives in the middle 50% ranges of the specific colleges you are applying to. Find that number, prep toward it, and keep some perspective on the test itself. The SAT is one piece of an application that also includes grades, essays, recommendations, and what you have actually been doing for the last four years.