8 schools · SAT 1370–1550

Top Public University SAT Score Requirements

The short answer

The most selective public universities admit a middle 50% between 1370 and 1550. Georgia Tech reaches highest at the 75th percentile with 1550, while Michigan has the highest floor at a 1430 25th percentile; Maryland is the most reachable at 1370. The critical thing these numbers do not show is residency: at most of these schools the out-of-state bar is substantially higher than the published university-wide range.

All 8 schools compared

School	25th	75th	Average	Math	R&W	GPA	Accept
UMichAnn Arbor, MI	1430	1540	1485	730–790	690–760	3.9	17.7%
Georgia TechAtlanta, GA	1420	1550	1485	740–790	680–760	4.05	13.7%
UC BerkeleyBerkeley, CA	1410	1530	1470	720–780	690–750	3.92	11.6%
UCLALos Angeles, CA	1400	1530	1465	720–780	680–750	3.93	8.8%
UVACharlottesville, VA	1400	1530	1465	710–780	690–760	4.1	16.3%
UNC Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	1390	1510	1450	700–770	680–750	4	16.8%
UIUCUrbana-Champaign, IL	1380	1530	1455	720–790	650–740	3.8	44.0%
UMDCollege Park, MD	1370	1520	1445	700–780	670–740	4	34.0%

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

Residency is the single largest hidden variable in this tier and it is not visible in any published percentile. A state flagship admitting 80% in-state publishes a range dominated by in-state applicants; an out-of-state applicant is competing in a much smaller and more selective pool. Read every number below as the in-state-weighted figure it is, and target the 75th percentile rather than the median if you are applying from out of state.

The University of California system is the structural exception. UC Berkeley and UCLA are test-free — they do not consider SAT scores in admissions at all, for any applicant. The ranges shown for those two describe the scores of students who happen to be enrolled, not a standard being applied to your file. Do not prep for the SAT on their account; prep for it because other schools on your list use it.

Georgia Tech behaves like a private STEM school rather than a state flagship, with a 1420 floor and admissions that vary sharply by intended major. Engineering and computer science applicants there face a materially higher Math bar than the university-wide 25th percentile implies.

School by school

University of Michigan

1430–1540 · 17.7% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at the University of Michigan is 1430 to 1540 (Math: 730–790, Reading & Writing: 690–760).

As one of the leading public universities in the United States, UMich receives over 85,000 applications annually.

Testing policy

Test-optional

Ross School of Business applicants should target 1500+ composite with strong quantitative scores.

Georgia Institute of Technology

1420–1550 · 13.7% accepted

Georgia Tech requires standardized tests, with admitted students posting a middle 50% SAT range of 1420 to 1550 (Math: 740–790, Reading & Writing: 680–760).

Georgia Tech is a premier public STEM research institution. Math scores above 750 are typical among admitted engineering and computer science majors.

Testing policy

Standardized test scores strictly required

Master Algebra and Advanced Math systems to score in the top 750+ Math band.

UC Berkeley

1410–1530 · 11.6% accepted

UC Berkeley historically reported a middle 50% SAT range of 1410 to 1530. While UC schools are test-blind for admission decisions, SAT scores are used for course placement and scholarship evaluations.

UC Berkeley is one of the top public universities in the world. Benchmark your academic readiness against historical 1470+ medians.

Testing policy

Test-blind for admissions (used for course placement)

Use high SAT proficiency to prepare for rigorous Berkeley STEM introductory sequences.

UCLA

1400–1530 · 8.8% accepted

The historical middle 50% SAT range at UCLA is 1400 to 1530 (Math: 720–780, Reading & Writing: 680–750).

As the most applied-to university in America, UCLA admits top-tier students boasting strong academic rigor.

Testing policy

Test-blind for admissions (used for course placement)

Build strong reading stamina across science and social study passages.

University of Virginia

1400–1530 · 16.3% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at the University of Virginia (UVA) is 1400 to 1530. Out-of-state admitted applicants average 1480–1540.

UVA is one of the nation's premier public universities. Due to Virginia residency requirements, out-of-state admissions requires high testing percentiles.

Testing policy

Test-optional through 2025–2026

Out-of-state applicants should aim for 1500+ composite.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1390–1510 · 16.8% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at UNC Chapel Hill is 1390 to 1510 (Math: 700–770, Reading & Writing: 680–750). Out-of-state admitted students typically average 1480+.

UNC Chapel Hill is one of the original Public Ivies. Due to strict in-state quotas (82% NC residents), out-of-state admissions is fiercely competitive.

Testing policy

Standardized testing required for students with GPA below 2.8; optional for others

Out-of-state applicants should aim for a 1500+ composite score.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

1380–1530 · 44.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT range at UIUC is 1380 to 1530. For Grainger College of Engineering and CS majors, the middle 50% Math range is 770 to 800.

UIUC is an international powerhouse in computer science and engineering. High SAT scores are crucial for engineering admission.

Testing policy

Test-optional

Aim for a 780+ on SAT Math when applying to Grainger Engineering.

University of Maryland

1370–1520 · 34.0% accepted

The middle 50% SAT score range at the University of Maryland (College Park) is 1370 to 1520 (Math: 700–780, Reading & Writing: 670–740).

UMD is an elite public institution renowned for Computer Science (Iribe Center) and Clark Engineering. High SAT scores are key for Limited Enrollment Programs.

Testing policy

Test-optional through 2025–2026

Computer Science applicants should aim for 760+ on SAT Math.

Frequently asked questions

Do UC Berkeley and UCLA require the SAT?

No. The University of California system is test-free: Berkeley and UCLA do not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions at all. Submitting a score cannot help or hurt your application there.

What SAT score do you need for a top public university out of state?

Target the 75th percentile rather than the middle. Out-of-state applicants compete in a smaller, more selective pool than the published university-wide range reflects, so a score at the median is weaker than it appears for a non-resident.

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