Understanding Middle 50% SAT Ranges

When you see an average SAT score listed for a university, it typically refers to the middle 50% range — the 25th to 75th percentile of SAT scores among enrolled freshmen. This range is reported by colleges in their Common Data Set, a standardized annual disclosure that every accredited four-year university publishes. The middle 50% tells you where the bulk of admitted (and enrolled) students scored, which is more useful than a single average because it shows the spread of scores the school actually accepts.

The 25th percentile score means 25% of enrolled students scored at or below that number — if your score is at or above the 25th percentile, you're within the realistic range. The 75th percentile means 25% of students scored at or above that number — if your score is at or above the 75th percentile, you're competitive from a testing standpoint. Scoring below the 25th percentile doesn't disqualify you, but it means you're below most enrolled students and other parts of your application need to be especially strong.

Important distinctions: the middle 50% reflects enrolled students, not all applicants. Selective schools accept fewer students than apply, and enrolled students represent those who chose that school over alternatives. The Common Data Set also reports scores for test-optional applicants separately at some schools — meaning students who didn't submit scores are counted in enrollment but not in the score range. This can make published ranges appear slightly higher than they would be if all enrollees were counted. For test-optional application strategy, compare your score to the published range: above the 75th percentile, scores add value; within the middle 50%, scores don't hurt; below the 25th percentile, consider whether to submit. For national context and percentile data, our average sat score guide covers national benchmarks across all test-takers.

Northeast University SAT Score Averages

Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): Middle 50% SAT range approximately 1390–1540. Boston College is highly selective with an admit rate around 15%. The average SAT at BC reflects a strong academic profile — students with 1450+ are well within range, while 1350–1400 applicants need strong essays, recommendations, and course rigor to be competitive. BC offers no separate honors college but has strong pre-professional programs in business (Carroll School), nursing, and education.

Boston University: Middle 50% approximately 1360–1530. BU is a large private research university with broad major offerings. Its average SAT has risen steadily as selectivity increased — the admit rate is now below 20%. Students targeting Questrom (business), Sargent (health sciences), or engineering should note that these schools within BU may have slightly higher de facto score ranges due to their popularity.

Northeastern University (Boston, MA): Middle 50% approximately 1400–1560. Northeastern has become one of the most selective universities in the country over the past decade, driven by its co-op program reputation. The average SAT at Northeastern now rivals that of schools that were historically more selective. Students with 1400+ who value experiential learning and career-integrated academics are strong candidates.

University of Virginia (UVA): Middle 50% approximately 1380–1560. Virginia's flagship public university is one of the most selective publics in the country. In-state applicants are slightly advantaged in admissions, but score expectations are similar regardless of residency. The McIntire School of Commerce (business) and School of Engineering have particularly competitive applicant pools.

New York University (NYU): Middle 50% approximately 1360–1530. NYU's multiple campuses (primarily Manhattan, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai) and its highly competitive programs in business (Stern), law, film (Tisch), and pre-med contribute to a wide range of applicant profiles. Stern School applicants typically trend toward the upper end of the score range.

Fordham University: Middle 50% approximately 1290–1490. Located in New York City, Fordham is a Jesuit university with strong programs in business, communications, and the liberal arts. Its score range is more accessible than neighboring NYU while still maintaining selectivity. Students in the 1300–1400 range with strong extracurricular profiles are typically competitive.

Southeast and Florida University SAT Score Averages

University of Florida (UF): Middle 50% approximately 1310–1480. UF is consistently ranked among the top 5 public universities and is highly selective for a flagship. Florida resident applicants face significant competition — the school receives more Florida resident applications than almost any school in the country. Average SAT scores at UF have risen substantially over the past decade. A 1350+ SAT for in-state applicants is a reasonable baseline for competitiveness, with 1400+ making you clearly within range.

University of Georgia (UGA): Middle 50% approximately 1240–1440. UGA is a strong flagship with rising selectivity. The Terry College of Business and Grady College of Journalism are particularly competitive within the school. Georgia resident applicants with strong GPAs (3.9+ weighted) and 1300+ SATs are typically competitive for admission. Out-of-state applicants face a much higher bar due to limited non-resident spots.

Duke University (Durham, NC): Middle 50% approximately 1500–1570. Duke is among the most selective universities in the United States with an admit rate below 7%. The average SAT at Duke is near the top of the scale — most enrolled students scored 1500 or above. Duke's pre-med pipeline, Fuqua-affiliated business minor, and Division I athletics create a distinctive applicant pool that includes recruited athletes, legacy applicants, and high-achieving academic students.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Middle 50% approximately 1310–1500. UNC Chapel Hill is selective for out-of-state applicants (admit rate below 20% for non-residents) while being somewhat more accessible for North Carolina residents. The Kenan-Flagler Business School is particularly competitive within UNC. Average SAT scores for enrolled students have risen significantly over the past decade as the school's reputation grew nationally.

Midwest and West Coast University SAT Score Averages

Northwestern University (Evanston, IL): Middle 50% approximately 1500–1570. Northwestern is consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally with an admit rate below 7%. Like Duke and Vanderbilt, Northwestern's average SAT is in the elite tier. The Medill School of Journalism and Kellogg-adjacent undergraduate business programs attract particularly competitive applicants. A 1450 SAT would be below Northwestern's 25th percentile — most successful applicants need scores well above 1450 plus exceptional non-score credentials.

University of Michigan (Ann Arbor): Middle 50% approximately 1390–1560. Michigan is one of the most selective public universities in the country, especially for out-of-state applicants. The Ross School of Business and College of Engineering are particularly competitive. Average SAT scores at Michigan have risen as the school reduced its admit rate. In-state applicants have a slight advantage but face significant competition from a large, high-achieving resident pool.

Purdue University: Middle 50% approximately 1200–1470. Purdue is a large public research university with nationally ranked engineering and agriculture programs. Its score range reflects a broader admissions approach than Michigan — Purdue evaluates both academic record and major-specific fit. The College of Engineering (particularly CS) has score expectations at the higher end of the Purdue range. Students with 1250+ and strong math backgrounds are generally competitive for most Purdue programs.

NJIT (New Jersey Institute of Technology): Middle 50% approximately 1170–1390. NJIT is a STEM-focused public university known for engineering, CS, and architecture. Its average SAT reflects a technically oriented student body. Students with strong math scores (700+ Math section) who may have lower EBRW scores are well-suited to NJIT's academic programs. The school offers meaningful merit scholarships for high-scoring students.

For the authoritative source on any school's current middle 50% SAT range, check the school's Common Data Set (search: "[school name] common data set 2025-2026") and look at Section C for testing data. Published ranges are updated annually and reflect the most recent enrolled class. See our guide to university of michigan sat requirements for a broader list of school-specific score benchmarks and admission requirements.

Comparing your score to university ranges is the first step — improving it is the second. The khan academy sat prep program is free and official, making it the strongest starting point for students at any score level. For understanding the test format before targeting a specific score, see what is sat examination. The sat formula sheet is a must-know resource for math section preparation. Students targeting selective schools should review ivy league sat scores for the full Ivy League range, and stanford sat requirements specifically for Stanford. For timing and test date planning, see sat dates 2025. Our sat test section has free full-length Digital SAT practice tests for score-building.