8 schools · SAT 1200–1520

Large Public University SAT Score Requirements

The short answer

These eight large public universities admit a middle 50% between 1200 and 1520, the widest band on this site. Acceptance rates run from 23% at Florida to 66% at Rutgers, which makes this the tier where a solid score most reliably converts into an admission rather than merely a fair hearing.

All 8 schools compared

School	25th	75th	Average	Math	R&W	GPA	Accept
UT AustinAustin, TX	1350	1520	1435	700–780	660–740	3.84	29.0%
UW SeattleSeattle, WA	1330	1510	1420	690–780	640–730	3.82	48.0%
UFGainesville, FL	1320	1470	1395	660–750	660–730	3.9	23.0%
PurdueWest Lafayette, IN	1280	1470	1375	670–780	610–700	3.75	53.0%
RutgersNew Brunswick, NJ	1270	1490	1380	650–770	620–720	3.73	66.0%
Ohio StateColumbus, OH	1270	1460	1365	640–750	630–720	3.76	53.0%
Texas A&MCollege Station, TX	1220	1430	1325	620–730	600–700	3.7	63.0%
Penn StateUniversity Park, PA	1200	1410	1305	600–720	600–700	3.65	55.0%

25th and 75th percentile composite scores of admitted students, with Math and Reading & Writing section ranges. Sorted most selective first. Percentiles describe the admitted class, not a cutoff.

How to read these numbers

The wide ranges here reflect scale rather than inconsistency. These universities admit tens of thousands of students across dozens of colleges, so the university-wide percentile blends a highly competitive engineering or business program with far more accessible ones. Your real target is set by your intended major, not by the number in the table.

Texas A&M and UT Austin are shaped by state automatic-admission law, which guarantees places to students in a defined top percentage of their Texas high school class. That policy compresses the role of the SAT for in-state applicants and raises it for everyone else, so the published range understates what an out-of-state applicant should be aiming for.

Purdue, Ohio State and Penn State all admit above 50% university-wide while running genuinely competitive flagship programs — Purdue engineering most notably. If you are targeting one of those programs, treat the school’s 75th percentile as your floor rather than its median.

For most students this is the tier where prep pays the highest return per hour. A 60-point gain that would be lost in the noise at a school admitting 4% can move you from below the median to above the 75th percentile here, and at these acceptance rates that difference is decisive.

School by school

University of Texas at Austin

1350–1520 · 29.0% accepted

UT Austin reinstated mandatory SAT/ACT testing. Admitted students post a middle 50% SAT score range of 1350 to 1520 (higher for non-auto-admit and out-of-state applicants).

While top 6% Texas high schoolers receive automatic admission, competitive majors (Cockrell Engineering, McCombs Business, Computer Science) require 1480+ SAT scores.

Testing policy

Standardized testing required (reinstated for Fall 2025+)

Non-automatic admit applicants should aim for 1480+ to maximize major admission odds.

University of Washington

1330–1510 · 48.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at the University of Washington (Seattle) is 1330 to 1510. For the Allen School of Computer Science, admitted Math scores cluster at 770–800.

UW Seattle is a world leader in computer science, medicine, and engineering. Direct-to-major engineering and CS admissions demands top quantitative scores.

Testing policy

Test-optional (Test-blind for general admission, evaluated for engineering/CS honors)

Allen School CS applicants should target a 780+ on SAT Math.

University of Florida

1320–1470 · 23.0% accepted

The University of Florida requires standardized test scores, with admitted students posting a middle 50% SAT range of 1320 to 1470 (Math: 660–750, Reading & Writing: 660–730).

Florida public universities are legally mandated to require SAT or ACT scores for admission. A 1400+ qualifies students for Florida Bright Futures 100% tuition scholarships.

Testing policy

Standardized testing strictly required (Florida State University System)

Score 1340+ on the SAT to qualify for the Florida Academic Scholars 100% tuition award.

Purdue University

1280–1470 · 53.0% accepted

Purdue University requires SAT or ACT scores, with overall admitted students posting a 1280 to 1470 middle 50% range. For the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Math scores average 740–790.

Purdue reinstated testing requirements in 2024. Engineering applicants should place particular emphasis on high math percentiles.

Testing policy

Standardized testing strictly required

Engineering and CS applicants should aim for 750+ on SAT Math.

Rutgers University

1270–1490 · 66.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT range at Rutgers University (New Brunswick) is 1270 to 1490. For Rutgers Business School and Engineering, middle 50% ranges are 1350–1510.

Rutgers is a leading research university. Scores above 1350 position applicants well for Honors College consideration.

Testing policy

Test-optional through 2025–2026

Drill linear algebra and quadratics to maximize your Math section score.

Ohio State University

1270–1460 · 53.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at Ohio State University is 1270 to 1460 (Math: 640–750, Reading & Writing: 630–720).

OSU offers over 200 majors in Columbus. Scoring 1350+ opens opportunities for the Honors program and Eminence Fellowships.

Testing policy

Test-optional through 2025–2026

Aim for 1380+ to be competitive for university honors and merit scholarships.

Texas A&M University

1220–1430 · 63.0% accepted

Texas A&M University reinstated mandatory SAT/ACT requirements, with overall admitted students posting a 1220 to 1430 middle 50% range (1380–1480+ for Engineering).

Texas A&M is renowned for engineering, agriculture, and business. A 1350+ qualifies out-of-state students for in-state tuition waivers.

Testing policy

Standardized testing required (reinstated for Fall 2025+ applicants)

Score 1350+ to qualify for competitive non-resident tuition waivers.

Penn State University

1200–1410 · 55.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range for Penn State (University Park campus) is 1200 to 1410 (Math: 600–720, Reading & Writing: 600–700).

Penn State University Park is competitive for engineering, business (Smeal), and nursing. A 1300+ gives applicants a decisive admissions edge.

Testing policy

Test-optional through 2025–2026

Smeal College of Business applicants should target a 1350+ composite.

Frequently asked questions

What SAT score do you need for a large state university?

A 1350–1450 puts you at or above the 75th percentile at most schools in this tier. Competitive individual programs — Purdue engineering, UT Austin business and CS — expect scores well above the university-wide range.

Is a 1300 a good score for these schools?

Yes. A 1300 sits inside the middle 50% at Texas A&M, Ohio State, Penn State, Rutgers and Purdue. It is below the 25th percentile at Washington. It is below the middle 50% at UT Austin, Florida and Washington.

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