Whether you’re drafting a list of potential colleges or filling out college applications, checking out average SAT and ACT scores can help you determine which colleges and universities would be a good fit. When analyzing average SAT and ACT scores for accepted students, it’s important to keep in mind that these scores should not be considered cutoff or qualifying scores—instead, they’re intended to provide a general idea of what students were accepted. With that in mind, here are the most recently updated SAT and ACT scores for popular colleges and universities.
ACT and SAT Scores for Popular Colleges
According to data from Niche, the 10 most popular colleges and universities among high school students in 2020 were:
- University of California–Los Angeles: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1290 to 1520. ACT scores range from 30 to 34.
- University of Texas–Austin: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1230 to 1480. ACT scores range from 30 to 34.
- University of California–Berkley: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1320 to 1530. ACT scores range from 31 to 35.
- New York University: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1310 to 1510. ACT scores range from 29 to 34.
- University of Southern California: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1350 to 1530. ACT scores range from 30 to 34.
- Texas A&M University: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1170 to 1380. ACT scores range from 25 to 31.
- University of California–San Diego: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1260 to 1470. ACT scores range from 27 to 33.
- University of California–Irvine: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1290 to 1410. ACT scores range from 25 to 33.
- University of Florida: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1280 to 1440. ACT scores range from 27 to 32.
- Boston University: 25th-75th percentile SAT scores range from 1330 to 1500. ACT scores range from 30 to 33.
What’s a good ACT or SAT score?
A “good” ACT or SAT score depends on the colleges and universities you’re planning to apply to. An ACT score of 23 or a composite SAT score of 1100 is above the national average and will make you a competitive applicant at many colleges, but it might fall below the average score for students at colleges with lower acceptance rates. The higher you score on the SAT or ACT, the more options will be available to you.
How can you improve your score?
Whether you’re looking for a higher SAT or ACT test score to expand your opportunities or qualify for more scholarships, test prep is essential. The College Board recommends starting test prep for the SAT between two to three months in advance, while the ACT recommends beginning test prep toward the end of sophomore year or the summer between sophomore and junior year.
If you don’t want to sacrifice your summer to study for the ACT or SAT, consider joining an online SAT or ACT boot camp. The ACT Boot Camp at Zinc Educational Services, a New York City-based tutoring service, allows students to enjoy their summer while prepping for standardized tests. Zinc NYC offers both one-on-one tutoring and group boot camps, as well as personalized learning sessions and practice exams to help alleviate test anxiety and help high school students prepare for test day.
Starting test prep early can help you determine how much you’ll need to study and can help prevent last-minute cramming. According to data from the College Board, high school students who begin test prep earlier score higher on the SAT and feel more confident on test day.
Although it’s important to keep in mind that colleges and universities consider more than your ACT or SAT score, improving your score can help you qualify for more scholarships and boost your chances of acceptance.
