The SAT is one of the most important placement exams that many high school students take. It could determine whether or not they get into their desired college or university, affecting their entire future, or it may affect the scholarships they get. The minimum score on the SAT is 400, and the highest you can get is 1600. Currently the national mean rests at 1029.
So how does your state compare to the national average? Before we look at that, it’s important to talk about participation rate.
“Relationships between test scores and other background or contextual factors are complex and interdependent. Caution is warranted when using scores to compare or evaluate teachers, schools, districts, or states, because of differences in participation and test taker populations.“ College Board
In some states, the SAT is required for high school students, meaning nearly all students take it, sometimes up to 100% of them. When participation is this high, average scores tend to be lower because the results reflect every student, not just the college-bound ones.
On the other hand, states where the SAT is optional often report much higher average scores. In these cases, the students taking the exam are typically those preparing for college or aiming for competitive scholarships, which naturally raises the mean.
Because participation rate affects state averages, we’ve grouped states by participation level instead of ranking them strictly by score. This approach offers a more balanced way to compare states.
Take a look at our breakdown below to see where your state falls.
States With High Participation Rate (More than 90%)
High participation = scores reflect most students statewide
States With Medium Participation Rate (Between 50% and 90%)
Medium participation = partly representative
States with Low Participation Rate (Less Than 50%)
Low participation = scores reflect only college-bound testers
Methodology
We reviewed the 2025 SAT Suite Results released by the College Board for every state. Because the College Board publishes a separate report for each state, we examined each one individually to gather the mean SAT score, total number of test takers, and participation rate.
To make the state-by-state comparisons more accurate, we grouped states into participation-rate categories rather than ranking them by score alone.
Participation rate has a strong influence on average SAT performance. States where most students take the test typically report lower averages, while states with lower participation often show higher scores due to a more selective testing pool.
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Frequently Asked Questions About SAT Scores
What is a mean SAT score?
A mean SAT score is simply the average score earned by all the students who took the SAT in a given group, in this case, in each state. To find the mean, you add up everyone’s scores and then divide by the number of test takers.
Is a mean score the same as an average?
Yes. A mean score is just the mathematical term for the average score. It’s calculated by adding up all the scores in a group and dividing by the number of test takers. When you see “mean SAT score,” it always refers to this type of average.
What is participation rate?
Participation rate is the percentage of students in a state who took the SAT before they graduated high school. For example, if a state has 50,000 seniors and 25,000 of them took the SAT at some point in high school, the participation rate would be 50%.
How can I improve my SAT score?
You can improve your SAT score by practicing regularly, learning the structure of the test, and using strategies that help you work faster and more accurately. Focusing on the types of questions that appear most often, reviewing your mistakes, and building strong pacing habits can make a big difference. For more detailed tips and proven strategies, check out our full guide with SAT-taking strategies.
Is it possible to get a perfect SAT score?
Yes. A perfect SAT score is 1600, and while it’s rare, some students do achieve it each year. If you’re aiming for a top score, you can check out our full guide on perfect SAT and ACT scores, including tips and scholarship opportunities for high scorers.
Does my high school require the SAT to graduate?
Not all do. Ask your counselor or any teacher at the school whether this is required to get your high school diploma.
