Find colleges where your score is typical. Each bracket groups colleges by the midpoint of their admitted students' middle-50% SAT range.
Prefer to search by GPA? See colleges by GPA. University of California and Cal State campuses don’t consider SAT scores, so they appear under “Colleges where test scores matter less” rather than in a score range.
The most selective universities, where the typical admitted student scored 1500 or higher.
Cambridge, MA
A global powerhouse in science, technology, mathematics, and entrepreneurship, renowned for rigorous problem-solving and maker culture.
Stanford, CA
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, Stanford blends cutting-edge technology innovation with liberal arts breadth and top-tier athletics.
Cambridge, MA
The oldest higher learning institution in the US, known for shaping world leaders, pioneering research, and transformative liberal arts education.
Top public flagships and selective private colleges where the typical admitted student scored 1400–1490.
Ann Arbor, MI
One of the greatest public research universities in the world, combining relentless school spirit with elite academics across 250+ fields.
Atlanta, GA
An urban STEM powerhouse in Midtown Atlanta known for unmatched engineering value, high mid-career starting salaries, and cooperative education.
Urbana, IL
A Midwestern giant renowned for elite engineering, pioneering computing history, and a spirited campus community in a true college-town setting.
Strong flagships and respected private colleges where the typical admitted student scored 1250–1390.
Austin, TX
A vibrant flagship university nestled in booming Austin, famous for top business and engineering schools, SEC athletics, and incredible live music culture.
West Lafayette, IN
Renowned for world-class engineering, aviation, and computing, Purdue pairs rigorous STEM programs with an unbeatable 13-year tuition freeze.
Gainesville, FL
A top-ranked national public research university in sunny Gainesville offering unmatched affordability, pioneering AI computing, and Gator Nation pride.
Accessible public universities and private colleges where the typical admitted student scored 1000–1240.
Tempe, AZ
A vanguard of higher education innovation in metropolitan Phoenix, offering cutting-edge sustainability programs, expansive engineering, and Barrett Honors College.
East Lansing, MI
The nation pioneer land-grant university in East Lansing, Michigan, leading the world in supply chain logistics, nuclear physics research, and agricultural innovation.
Eugene, OR
The flagship university of Oregon in Eugene, famed for sports business leadership, Nike design innovation, green architecture, and passionate Duck athletic culture.
US colleges that admit at least two-thirds of applicants, so a missing or modest SAT rarely decides your application, plus the UC and Cal State campuses, which ignore test scores entirely. Most are test-optional — confirm each college's current testing policy on its admissions site.
Berkeley, CA
The flagship UC campus is renowned for academic excellence, social activism, Nobel-prize research, and Silicon Valley career pipelines.
Test-blind: admission rests on grades and coursework, not SAT or ACT scores.
Los Angeles, CA
Set in sunny Westwood, UCLA balances world-class research, renowned film and medical schools, and championship sports spirit.
Test-blind: admission rests on grades and coursework, not SAT or ACT scores.
Tempe, AZ
A vanguard of higher education innovation in metropolitan Phoenix, offering cutting-edge sustainability programs, expansive engineering, and Barrett Honors College.