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Colleges with the highest SAT scores in the United States

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Top 50 colleges in the United States with the highest SAT scores

Looking for the colleges with the highest SAT scores in the United States? Well you're in luck! We've compiled a national college database and have created a list of the top 50 universities with the highest SAT scores in the United States. These are the schools whose applicants had the highest average SAT scores in the United States. And, since these tests are meant to determine academic prowess, they are arguably the schools with the most academically proficient students. You could even say these are the best colleges in the United States. We also include each college's ACT scores and acceptance rate so that you can see where you would have the easiest or hardest time getting in. Read on to find out more.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology SAT scores

The average SAT score for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 1560.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The average SAT score of 1560 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 790
  • SAT reading/writing: 770
The average ACT score for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is 36 and their acceptance rate is 5.5%.

California Institute of Technology SAT scores

The average SAT score for California Institute of Technology is 1555.
California Institute of Technology
The average SAT score of 1555 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 795
  • SAT reading/writing: 760
The average ACT score for California Institute of Technology is 36 and their acceptance rate is 6.4%.

University of Chicago SAT scores

The average SAT score for University of Chicago is 1550.
University of Chicago
The average SAT score of 1550 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 760
The average ACT score for University of Chicago is 35 and their acceptance rate is 4.48%.

Stanford University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Stanford University is 1540.
Stanford University
The average SAT score of 1540 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 735
The average ACT score for Stanford University is 35 and their acceptance rate is 3.6%.

Northwestern University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Northwestern University is 1540.
Northwestern University
The average SAT score of 1540 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 770
The average ACT score for Northwestern University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 7%.

Carnegie Mellon University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Carnegie Mellon University is 1540.
Carnegie Mellon University
The average SAT score of 1540 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 790
  • SAT reading/writing: 750
The average ACT score for Carnegie Mellon University is 35 and their acceptance rate is 11.7%.

Cornell University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Cornell University is 1535.
Cornell University
The average SAT score of 1535 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Cornell University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 8.9%.

Rice University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Rice University is 1535.
Rice University
The average SAT score of 1535 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 775
  • SAT reading/writing: 730
The average ACT score for Rice University is 35 and their acceptance rate is 8%.

Yale University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Yale University is 1530.
Yale University
The average SAT score of 1530 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 760
The average ACT score for Yale University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 3.87%.

Columbia University in the City of New York SAT scores

The average SAT score for Columbia University in the City of New York is 1530.
Columbia University in the City of New York
The average SAT score of 1530 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 760
The average ACT score for Columbia University in the City of New York is 34 and their acceptance rate is 4.9%.

Harvey Mudd College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Harvey Mudd College is 1525.
Harvey Mudd College
The average SAT score of 1525 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 790
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Harvey Mudd College is 35 and their acceptance rate is 12.96%.

Pomona College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Pomona College is 1525.
Pomona College
The average SAT score of 1525 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 755
The average ACT score for Pomona College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 6.76%.

Claremont McKenna College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Claremont McKenna College is 1520.
Claremont McKenna College
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 730
  • SAT reading/writing: 697
The average ACT score for Claremont McKenna College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 9.6%.

Wesleyan University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Wesleyan University is 1520.
Wesleyan University
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 750
The average ACT score for Wesleyan University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 16.1%.

Colby College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Colby College is 1520.
Colby College
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 760
  • SAT reading/writing: 735
The average ACT score for Colby College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 7%.

Harvard University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Harvard University is 1520.
Harvard University
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 750
The average ACT score for Harvard University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 3.63%.

Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering SAT scores

The average SAT score for Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering is 1520.
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 775
  • SAT reading/writing: 745
The average ACT score for Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering is 35 and their acceptance rate is 25%.

Washington University in Saint Louis SAT scores

The average SAT score for Washington University in Saint Louis is 1520.
Washington University in Saint Louis
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 780
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Washington University in Saint Louis is 34 and their acceptance rate is 12%.

University of Pennsylvania SAT scores

The average SAT score for University of Pennsylvania is 1520.
University of Pennsylvania
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 780
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for University of Pennsylvania is 35 and their acceptance rate is 4.9%.

Brown University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Brown University is 1520.
Brown University
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 755
  • SAT reading/writing: 730
The average ACT score for Brown University is 35 and their acceptance rate is 5.65%.

Vanderbilt University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Vanderbilt University is 1520.
Vanderbilt University
The average SAT score of 1520 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 750
The average ACT score for Vanderbilt University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 4.6%.

Johns Hopkins University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Johns Hopkins University is 1510.
Johns Hopkins University
The average SAT score of 1510 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Johns Hopkins University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 7.4%.

Carleton College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Carleton College is 1510.
Carleton College
The average SAT score of 1510 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 720
  • SAT reading/writing: 710
The average ACT score for Carleton College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 20%.

Princeton University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Princeton University is 1510.
Princeton University
The average SAT score of 1510 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 760
  • SAT reading/writing: 750
The average ACT score for Princeton University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 4.62%.

Duke University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Duke University is 1510.
Duke University
The average SAT score of 1510 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 770
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Duke University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 6.2%.

Boston College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Boston College is 1503.
Boston College
The average SAT score of 1503 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 710
  • SAT reading/writing: 700
The average ACT score for Boston College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 13.9%.

The Jewish Theological Seminary SAT scores

The average SAT score for The Jewish Theological Seminary is 1500.
The Jewish Theological Seminary
The average SAT score of 1500 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 745
  • SAT reading/writing: 755
The average ACT score for The Jewish Theological Seminary is 34 and their acceptance rate is 45%.

Colgate University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Colgate University is 1495.
Colgate University
The average SAT score of 1495 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 725
  • SAT reading/writing: 690
The average ACT score for Colgate University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 17%.

Emory University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Emory University is 1490.
Emory University
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Emory University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 10%.

University of Notre Dame SAT scores

The average SAT score for University of Notre Dame is 1490.
University of Notre Dame
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for University of Notre Dame is 34 and their acceptance rate is 17.7%.

Amherst College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Amherst College is 1490.
Amherst College
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Amherst College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 7%.

Babson College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Babson College is 1490.
Babson College
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 710
  • SAT reading/writing: 680
The average ACT score for Babson College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 16%.

Northeastern University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Northeastern University is 1490.
Northeastern University
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 720
The average ACT score for Northeastern University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 5.21%.

Tufts University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Tufts University is 1490.
Tufts University
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Tufts University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 10.5%.

Williams College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Williams College is 1490.
Williams College
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Williams College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 8.5%.

Dartmouth College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Dartmouth College is 1490.
Dartmouth College
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Dartmouth College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 6%.

Case Western Reserve University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Case Western Reserve University is 1490.
Case Western Reserve University
The average SAT score of 1490 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 740
The average ACT score for Case Western Reserve University is 33 and their acceptance rate is 38%.

Tulane University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Tulane University is 1486.
Tulane University
The average SAT score of 1486 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 743
  • SAT reading/writing: 743
The average ACT score for Tulane University is 33 and their acceptance rate is 14.7%.

Scripps College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Scripps College is 1485.
Scripps College
The average SAT score of 1485 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 725
  • SAT reading/writing: 725
The average ACT score for Scripps College is 31 and their acceptance rate is 24.2%.

Haverford College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Haverford College is 1485.
Haverford College
The average SAT score of 1485 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 485
  • SAT reading/writing: 485
The average ACT score for Haverford College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 12.4%.

Swarthmore College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Swarthmore College is 1485.
Swarthmore College
The average SAT score of 1485 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 735
The average ACT score for Swarthmore College is 34 and their acceptance rate is 7.4%.

Villanova University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Villanova University is 1485.
Villanova University
The average SAT score of 1485 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 735
  • SAT reading/writing: 745
The average ACT score for Villanova University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 27.4%.

Washington and Lee University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Washington and Lee University is 1485.
Washington and Lee University
Bobak Ha'Eri / Wikimedia Commons / "Iconic buildings of Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. From left to right: Newcomb Hall, Payne Hall, Washington Hall (center), Robinson Hall, Tucker Hall." / CC BY 3.0
The average SAT score of 1485 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 730
The average ACT score for Washington and Lee University is 34 and their acceptance rate is 14%.

Barnard College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Barnard College is 1480.
Barnard College
The average SAT score of 1480 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 755
  • SAT reading/writing: 735
The average ACT score for Barnard College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 9%.

Grinnell College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Grinnell College is 1475.
Grinnell College
The average SAT score of 1475 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 710
The average ACT score for Grinnell College is 32 and their acceptance rate is 14.51%.

Georgetown University SAT scores

The average SAT score for Georgetown University is 1470.
Georgetown University
The average SAT score of 1470 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 720
The average ACT score for Georgetown University is 33 and their acceptance rate is 12%.

Wellesley College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Wellesley College is 1470.
Wellesley College
The average SAT score of 1470 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 730
The average ACT score for Wellesley College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 13.7%.

University of Michigan at Ann Arbor SAT scores

The average SAT score for University of Michigan at Ann Arbor is 1470.
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
The average SAT score of 1470 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 750
  • SAT reading/writing: 720
The average ACT score for University of Michigan at Ann Arbor is 33 and their acceptance rate is 15.6%.

The Cooper Union SAT scores

The average SAT score for The Cooper Union is 1470.
The Cooper Union
Ajay Suresh / Flickr / "The Cooper Union's Foundation Building - North Side" / CC BY 2.0
The average SAT score of 1470 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 760
  • SAT reading/writing: 710
The average ACT score for The Cooper Union is 33 and their acceptance rate is 11%.

Hamilton College SAT scores

The average SAT score for Hamilton College is 1470.
Hamilton College
The average SAT score of 1470 breaks down into:
  • SAT math: 740
  • SAT reading/writing: 730
The average ACT score for Hamilton College is 33 and their acceptance rate is 13.62%.

Conclusion

Getting into any college is an accomplishment, but these schools are arguably some of the most competitive to get into in the United States. You will want to be above the average SAT or ACT score, and have a strong GPA with good extracurriculars in order to apply for these programs. Be sure to talk to your counselor about whether these schools are right for you before doing the work to apply.
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