Average SAT Score by State: Full Rankings and Trends (2026)

Where a student lives can shift the typical SAT score dramatically, but those state gaps say far less about teenagers' ability than about who sits for the test in the first place.

What is the average SAT score by state?

The national average SAT score for the class of 2026 is 1045, made up of about 528 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 517 on Math. But state averages swing wildly around that number, from a low of 876 in New Mexico to a high of 1270 in Nebraska. That 394-point gap looks dramatic, and it is almost entirely explained by one thing: how many students in each state actually take the SAT.

This guide ranks all 50 states by average SAT score, shows each state's participation rate side by side, and explains why a "low" state average usually means more students took the test, not that students there are less prepared. If you want the national picture by year and demographic instead, see our average SAT score guide.

Average SAT score by state: full rankings

The table below ranks every state by its average total SAT score for the class of 2026, with the SAT participation rate next to it. Watch how the two columns move in opposite directions. The data comes from the College Board 2026 SAT Suite of Assessments Annual Report, published through College Board program results.

Washington, D.C. is reported separately from the 50 states in some College Board summaries, so it is not ranked above. Notice the pattern: nearly every state at the top of the list has a participation rate of 1 to 5 percent, while nearly every state at the bottom is at 86 to 100 percent. The one clear outlier is Mississippi, where only 806 students tested and about half of them took the SAT through a school-day program, which pulls a tiny pool down to 1029.

Why participation rate explains almost everything

State SAT averages are not a leaderboard of which states have the smartest students. They are mostly a measure of who takes the test. There are two very different groups of states:

• SAT-optional states (mostly in the Midwest and Plains): the ACT is the default test, so only college-bound, highly motivated students choose to take the SAT. That small, self-selected group posts very high averages. Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Utah all sit above 1240 with participation around 2 percent.
• SAT-mandatory states: states like Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island, and West Virginia give the SAT to every 11th grader during the school day, often for free. Their averages include every student, not just the college-bound ones, so the average naturally falls.

One note on Illinois: it tested every junior on the SAT through the class of 2025, when it showed 99 percent participation and a 961 average, but it switched its statewide test to the ACT starting in 2024-2025. For the class of 2026, its SAT participation fell to 15 percent and its average jumped to 1215, which shows the participation effect in a single year.

The relationship is strong and consistent: when a state's participation jumps from a few percent to near 100 percent, its average score drops by roughly 200 to 300 points. That is why comparing Indiana's 952 (100 percent participation) to Kansas's 1236 (2 percent participation) tells you nothing about school quality and everything about test policy.

States with the highest average SAT scores

The ten highest-scoring states all share one trait: low SAT participation, 5 percent or less in nine of them. These are ACT-first states where the SAT is taken mainly by students aiming at out-of-state or selective colleges.

If you live in one of these states, do not be intimidated by the high average. You are being compared nationally, not against your state's small SAT pool. A score well below your state average can still be an excellent, competitive result.

States with the lowest average SAT scores

The ten lowest-scoring states are almost all near-universal participation states. The "low" average is a feature of testing every student, not a reflection of weaker schools.

If you live in one of these states, your state average is dragged down by including students who are not college-bound. Scoring above your state average is common for college applicants here, so use the national percentiles as your real benchmark.

What your state's average actually means for you

Here is the key takeaway: colleges read your score against national percentiles, not your state average. A 1100 is the same 1100 to an admissions office whether you earned it in New Mexico or Nebraska. So the state table is useful for context, but it should never be your target.

Instead, anchor your goal to two things:

• National percentiles. A 1030 sits right around the 50th percentile nationally, according to College Board score data. See where your score lands in our SAT percentiles guide.
• Your target colleges' middle-50% ranges. What a "good" score is depends entirely on where you are applying. Our good SAT score guide and SAT scores for colleges breakdown show the ranges that matter.

You can convert any practice result to a 400-1600 score with our SAT score calculator, then see exactly how far you are from your target.

Improve your score wherever you live

Your state's average is set by policy and participation, both of which are out of your control. Your own score is not. Focused practice on your weak areas is what moves your number, and it works the same in every state. Start a free SAT practice quiz to find your baseline, then build a plan around the question types that cost you the most points. Explore full-length SAT practice on Larry Learns to track your progress toward your target score.

Frequently Asked Questions About Average SAT Scores by State

What is the average SAT score by state?

State averages for the class of 2026 range from about 876 in New Mexico to 1270 in Nebraska, against a national average of 1045. The wide spread is driven mostly by how many students in each state take the SAT rather than by differences in school quality.

Which state has the highest average SAT score?

Nebraska has the highest average SAT score at 1270, followed by Wisconsin at 1244 and Utah at 1242. All three have SAT participation rates of just 2 percent, so only the most college-focused students take the test there.

Which state has the lowest average SAT score?

New Mexico has the lowest average SAT score at 876, followed by West Virginia at 918 and Delaware at 929. These states require nearly all students to take the SAT, so the average reflects every student, not just college applicants.

Why do some states have much higher SAT averages than others?

The biggest factor is participation rate. In states where the SAT is optional, only motivated college-bound students take it, pushing the average up. In states that test every 11th grader, the average includes all students and is naturally lower.

Does my state's average SAT score affect my college chances?

No. Colleges compare your score to national percentiles and to their own applicant pool, not to your state average. A strong score is strong everywhere, so set your goal using national percentiles and your target colleges' score ranges.

What is a good SAT score compared to my state?

A good SAT score is best measured nationally, not by state. Scoring above the national average of 1045 puts you in the top half of all test takers, and many selective colleges look for scores in the 1300 to 1500 range regardless of which state you live in.