The Average SAT Scores by State

Average SAT scores vary from state to state. Although the national average SAT score is 1059, more than 2.2 million students take the SAT test! Knowing the average SAT score in your state helps you understand where you stand among students in a similar situation and what a good SAT score is for you.

What Are the Average ACT Scores by State?

What Impacts a State’s Average SAT Score?

States that require all students to take the SAT test, like West Virginia and Colorado, generally have a lower state average SAT score. This is not a reflection of the intelligence of the students, but occurs because a wider pool of students are taking the test – whether they want to or not! 

What States Offer the ACT and SAT for Free?

In states where the SAT is not required for all students, the students who do take the test generally score higher because they want to be there. For this reason, it’s best practice to compare states where the same or similar percentages of graduates were tested. 

Average SAT Scores by State 

State	Percent Tested	Composite Score	ERW Score	Math Score
Alabama	7	1143	583	560
Alaska	41	1097	556	541
Arizona	31	1134	569	565
Arkansas	6	1141	582	559
California	63	1065	534	531
Colorado	100	1024	518	506
Connecticut	100	1046	529	516
DC	94	975	495	480
Delaware	100	985	499	486
Florida	100	999	516	483
Georgia	71	1058	538	519
Hawaii	54	1100	550	550
Idaho	100	993	504	488
Illinois	100	1013	509	504
Indiana	66	1080	543	537
Iowa	3	1244	622	622
Kansas	4	1241	618	623
Kentucky	4	1232	620	612
Louisiana	5	1200	610	591
Maine	99	1013	512	502
Maryland	82	1058	535	523
Massachusetts	81	1120	559	561
Michigan	100	1003	507	496
Minnesota	4	1284	636	648
Mississippi	3	1237	628	608
Missouri	4	1236	622	614
Montana	9	1199	603	596
Nebraska	3	1260	628	631
Nevada	20	1156	580	576
New Hampshire	95	1059	533	526
New Jersey	82	1090	544	545
New Mexico	18	1073	543	530
New York	79	1064	531	533
North Carolina	51	1100	554	546
North Dakota	2	1263	627	636
Ohio	19	1097	550	548
Oklahoma	22	963	490	472
Oregon	51	1112	562	550
Pennsylvania	70	1082	545	537
Rhode Island	100	995	503	492
South Carolina	68	1030	562	504
South Dakota	3	1268	633	635
Tennessee	7	1220	618	602
Texas	68	1022	515	507
Utah	4	1230	614	615
Vermont	66	1106	560	546
Virginia	68	1119	567	551
Washington	70	1074	539	535
West Virginia	99	943	483	460
Wisconsin	3	1283	635	648
Wyoming	3	1281	623	615

Via College Board

States With the Highest Average SAT Scores

Minnesota Average SAT Score

Minnesota has the highest average SAT score in the country with a 1284 composite SAT score. Only 4% of students take the SAT in Minnesota, probably due to the state offering the ACT free to all students. 

Wisconsin Average SAT Score

Wisconsin comes in at a close second with an average SAT score of 1283. 3% of students in Wisconsin take the SAT. As is the case in Minnesota, the ACT test is offered for free to all students. 

Wyoming Average SAT Score

Wyoming is not far behind with an average SAT score of 1281. 3% of students in Wyoming take the SAT test. Just like in Minnesota and Wisconsin, the competitor ACT test is offered for free to all students in Wyoming. 

How Do I Know if I Have a Good SAT Score?

If your score is on par with or above your state’s average, you should feel good about your score. That means you are performing at least in-step with your peers.

The Top 10 Colleges in Your SAT Score Range

But an even better measure of your score? How it compares to the average SAT scores at the colleges you are interested in. When picking colleges to apply to (more on that here), your SAT score should fall in the upper 75% of the college’s score range to really shine. 

How Many Colleges Should I Apply To?

How Do I Raise My SAT Score?

Perhaps you’ve realized you have some studying to do. Our online SAT study course covers everything you need to know to raise your score. The course includes hundreds of practice problems, helpful animated videos, and test and study tips you won’t find here on our blog.

Learn more and enroll at www.olive-book.com!