SAT scores can be important in college admissions decisions.
With multiple standardized test sessions canceled due to safety concerns prompted by the novel coronavirus, college admissions looks a little different this year. One major change has been numerous schools going test-optional, despite the fact that standardized test scores historically have been an important factor in college admissions decisions. While the national average SAT score for the class of 2020 was 1051, per the College Board, applicants admitted to these schools earned much higher marks. Among ranked colleges and universities, the following 25 schools boasted the highest combined average SAT reading and math scores for fall 2019. Prospective students can use tools like U.S. News College Compass to check out the average SAT scores and breakdowns at schools they’re researching and the free U.S. News College Admissions Calculator to see how they stack up.
Hamilton College (NY)
Average SAT score: 1441
U.S. News rank: 9 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Hamilton College.
Emory University (GA)
Average SAT score: 1442
U.S. News rank: 21, National Universities
Learn more about Emory University.
Georgetown University (DC)
Average SAT score: 1446
U.S. News rank: 23, National Universities
Learn more about Georgetown University.
Mount Holyoke College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1448
U.S. News rank: 34 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Mount Holyoke College.
Swarthmore College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1452
U.S. News rank: 3, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Swarthmore College.
Northeastern University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1455
U.S. News rank: 49 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Northeastern University.
Tufts University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1455
U.S. News rank: 30 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Tufts University.
Pomona College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1460
U.S. News rank: 4 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Pomona College.
Cornell University (NY)
Average SAT score: 1467
U.S. News rank: 18, National Universities
Learn more about Cornell University.
Haverford College (PA)
Average SAT score: 1470
U.S. News rank: 15 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Haverford College.
Williams College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1473
U.S. News rank: 1, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Williams College.
Amherst College (MA)
Average SAT score: 1477
U.S. News rank: 2, National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Amherst College.
Northwestern University (IL)
Average SAT score: 1481
U.S. News rank: 9 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Northwestern University.
Dartmouth College (NH)
Average SAT score: 1486
U.S. News rank: 13, National Universities
Learn more about Dartmouth College.
Brown University (RI)
Average SAT score: 1488
U.S. News rank: 14 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Brown University.
Stanford University (CA)
Average SAT score: 1488
U.S. News rank: 6 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Stanford University.
Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
Average SAT score: 1491
U.S. News rank: 26 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Carnegie Mellon University.
University of Pennsylvania
Average SAT score: 1494
U.S. News rank: 8, National Universities
Learn more about the University of Pennsylvania.
Princeton University (NJ)
Average SAT score: 1501
U.S. News rank: 1, National Universities
Learn more about Princeton University.
Yale University (CT)
Average SAT score: 1502
U.S. News rank: 4 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Yale University.
Washington University in St. Louis
Average SAT score: 1509
U.S. News rank: 16 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Washington University in St. Louis.
Harvard University (MA)
Average SAT score: 1510
U.S. News rank: 2, National Universities
Learn more about Harvard University.
Harvey Mudd College (CA)
Average SAT score: 1520
U.S. News rank: 25 (tie), National Liberal Arts Colleges
Learn more about Harvey Mudd College.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Average SAT score: 1532
U.S. News rank: 4 (tie), National Universities
Learn more about Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
University of Chicago
Average SAT score: 1535
U.S. News rank: 6 (tie), 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. Want more SAT scores? 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
— Harvey Mudd College
— Harvard University
— Washington University in St. Louis
— Yale University
— Princeton University
— University of Pennsylvania
— Carnegie Mellon University
— Brown University
— Stanford University
— Dartmouth College
— Northwestern University
— Amherst College
— Williams College
— Haverford College
— Cornell University
— Pomona College
— Northeastern University
— Tufts University
— Swarthmore College
— Mount Holyoke College
— Georgetown University
— Emory University
— Hamilton College
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25 Colleges With the Highest SAT Scores originally appeared on usnews.com
Update 12/09/20: This slideshow has been updated to include ranks and data from the 2021 U.S. News Best Colleges rankings.
