SAT Scores By State

Last updated September 18, 2024

Average SAT Scores
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Average SAT Scores
1.WisconsinWisconsin1,252
2.WyomingWyoming1,244
3.KansasKansas1,238
4.UtahUtah1,233
5.MississippiMississippi1,226
6.MinnesotaMinnesota1,225
7.NebraskaNebraska1,222
8.KentuckyKentucky1,219
9.South DakotaSouth Dakota1,219
10.North DakotaNorth Dakota1,212
11.MontanaMontana1,206
12.MissouriMissouri1,200
13.TennesseeTennessee1,200
14.IowaIowa1,196
15.ArkansasArkansas1,191
16.NevadaNevada1,172
17.LouisianaLouisiana1,171
18.ArizonaArizona1,159
19.AlabamaAlabama1,146
20.OregonOregon1,143
21.North CarolinaNorth Carolina1,136
22.HawaiiHawaii1,124
23.VirginiaVirginia1,124
24.CaliforniaCalifornia1,115
25.AlaskaAlaska1,110
26.WashingtonWashington1,096
27.VermontVermont1,095
28.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania1,091
29.MaineMaine1,081
30.New JerseyNew Jersey1,079
31.MarylandMaryland1,075
32.IndianaIndiana1,073
33.New YorkNew York1,067
34.GeorgiaGeorgia1,060
35.OhioOhio1,053
36.New HampshireNew Hampshire1,050
37.South CarolinaSouth Carolina1,030
38.MassachusettsMassachusetts1,029
39.ConnecticutConnecticut1,025
40.ColoradoColorado1,021
41.TexasTexas1,001
42.MichiganMichigan1,000
43.FloridaFlorida983
44.IllinoisIllinois981
45.New MexicoNew Mexico976
46.Rhode IslandRhode Island971
47.DelawareDelaware968
48.IdahoIdaho968
49.OklahomaOklahoma951
50.West VirginiaWest Virginia938

SAT Scores: A Comparative Look by State

The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) has been measuring students' preparedness for higher education for nearly a century. With sections encompassing critical reading, mathematics, and an optional essay component, the SAT functions as a significant determinant in evaluating a student's academic achievement and potential. Furthermore, this standardized metric allows for comparative analysis of educational outcomes across different regional and socio-economic contexts.

  • Wisconsin emerged as the state with the highest average SAT score of 1,252, closely followed by states like Wyoming (1,244) and Kansas (1,238).
  • On the other hand, West Virginia demonstrated the lowest average SAT score (938), with Oklahoma (951) and Idaho (968) not far behind.
  • Interestingly, the data indicates a relative disparity in scores amongst geographically proximate states. For instance, Northeastern states such as Vermont and Maine reveal considerable variance with scores of 1,095 and 1,081 respectively.

States with the Highest SAT Scores

Topping the list is Wisconsin, with an impressive average SAT score of 1,252. This high-performing state reflects a commendable level of dedication to education and student success. Hot on Wisconsin's heels is Wyoming, coming in with an average score of 1,244. Kansas ranks third, holding an average score of 1,238, not much behind Wyoming. Giving them a run for their money, Utah clinches the fourth spot with an average score of 1,233. Slightly further back but still in the high-performer category, we find Mississippi, boasting an average score of 1,226, closely shadowed by Minnesota at 1,225. Nebraska and Kentucky round out the middle of our top ten with scores of 1,222 and 1,219 respectively. South Dakota shares the ninth ranking with Kentucky, pointing to a similar level of student achievement in these states. Lastly, North Dakota holds the tenth spot with a respectable average of 1,212. States with the Highest SAT Scores:

  1. Wisconsin - 1,252
  2. Wyoming - 1,244
  3. Kansas - 1,238
  4. Utah - 1,233
  5. Mississippi - 1,226
  6. Minnesota - 1,225
  7. Nebraska - 1,222
  8. Kentucky - 1,219
  9. South Dakota - 1,219
  10. North Dakota - 1,212

States with the Lowest SAT Scores

West Virginia stands out with the lowest average SAT score in the nation with 938. Statistics show that despite multiple college-readiness programs implemented across the state, the average scores haven't seen a significant rise. Oklahoma trails close behind with an average SAT score of 951. Idaho and Delaware share the third spot in terms of lowest average SAT scores, each holding an average of 968. While Idaho focuses on enhancing access to higher education, Delaware has implemented a state-wide SAT School Day program aiming to increase the number of test takers and college-goers. Rhode Island and New Mexico show averages of 971 and 976 respectively. Rounding out the up are Illinois with 981, Florida with 983, Michigan with 1,000, and Texas with 1,001. States with the lowest SAT Scores:

  1. West Virginia - 938
  2. Oklahoma - 951
  3. Idaho - 968
  4. Delaware - 968
  5. Rhode Island - 971
  6. New Mexico - 976
  7. Illinois - 981
  8. Florida - 983
  9. Michigan - 1,000
  10. Texas - 1,001

By Region

Alabama

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Ranked in U.S.

#19

Alaska

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Ranked in U.S.

#25

Arizona

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Ranked in U.S.

#18

Arkansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#15

California

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Ranked in U.S.

#24

Colorado

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Ranked in U.S.

#40

Connecticut

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Ranked in U.S.

#39

Delaware

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Ranked in U.S.

#47

Florida

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Ranked in U.S.

#43

Georgia

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Ranked in U.S.

#34

Hawaii

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Ranked in U.S.

#22

Idaho

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Ranked in U.S.

#48

Illinois

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Ranked in U.S.

#44

Indiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#32

Iowa

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Ranked in U.S.

#14

Kansas

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Ranked in U.S.

#3

Kentucky

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Ranked in U.S.

#8

Louisiana

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Ranked in U.S.

#17

Maine

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Ranked in U.S.

#29

Maryland

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Ranked in U.S.

#31

Massachusetts

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Ranked in U.S.

#38

Michigan

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Ranked in U.S.

#42

Minnesota

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Ranked in U.S.

#6

Mississippi

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Ranked in U.S.

#5

Missouri

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Ranked in U.S.

#12

Montana

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Ranked in U.S.

#11

Nebraska

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Ranked in U.S.

#7

Nevada

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Ranked in U.S.

#16

New Hampshire

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Ranked in U.S.

#36

New Jersey

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Ranked in U.S.

#30

New Mexico

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Ranked in U.S.

#45

New York

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Ranked in U.S.

#33

North Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#21

North Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#10

Ohio

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Ranked in U.S.

#35

Oklahoma

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Ranked in U.S.

#49

Oregon

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Ranked in U.S.

#20

Pennsylvania

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Ranked in U.S.

#28

Rhode Island

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Ranked in U.S.

#46

South Carolina

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Ranked in U.S.

#37

South Dakota

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Ranked in U.S.

#9

Tennessee

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Ranked in U.S.

#13

Texas

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Ranked in U.S.

#41

Utah

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Ranked in U.S.

#4

Vermont

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Ranked in U.S.

#27

Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#23

Washington

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Ranked in U.S.

#26

West Virginia

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Ranked in U.S.

#50

Wisconsin

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Ranked in U.S.

#1

Wyoming

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Ranked in U.S.

#2

Table

Region ↕Average SAT Scores↕
Alabama iconAlabama1,146
Alaska iconAlaska1,110
Arizona iconArizona1,159
Arkansas iconArkansas1,191
California iconCalifornia1,115
Colorado iconColorado1,021
Connecticut iconConnecticut1,025
Delaware iconDelaware968
Florida iconFlorida983
Georgia iconGeorgia1,060
Hawaii iconHawaii1,124
Idaho iconIdaho968
Illinois iconIllinois981
Indiana iconIndiana1,073
Iowa iconIowa1,196
Kansas iconKansas1,238
Kentucky iconKentucky1,219
Louisiana iconLouisiana1,171
Maine iconMaine1,081
Maryland iconMaryland1,075
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts1,029
Michigan iconMichigan1,000
Minnesota iconMinnesota1,225
Mississippi iconMississippi1,226
Missouri iconMissouri1,200
Montana iconMontana1,206
Nebraska iconNebraska1,222
Nevada iconNevada1,172
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire1,050
New Jersey iconNew Jersey1,079
New Mexico iconNew Mexico976
New York iconNew York1,067
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina1,136
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota1,212
Ohio iconOhio1,053
Oklahoma iconOklahoma951
Oregon iconOregon1,143
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania1,091
Rhode Island iconRhode Island971
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina1,030
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota1,219
Tennessee iconTennessee1,200
Texas iconTexas1,001
Utah iconUtah1,233
Vermont iconVermont1,095
Virginia iconVirginia1,124
Washington iconWashington1,096
West Virginia iconWest Virginia938
Wisconsin iconWisconsin1,252
Wyoming iconWyoming1,244
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