2024 Colorado SAT® Scores: What Can Educators Learn?

How Are Colorado Students Performing on the SAT^®?

Colorado’s Class of 2024 SAT® results reveal ongoing challenges in college readiness. The state's average SAT® score of 998 (ERW: 510, Math: 488) falls below the national average of 1024 (ERW: 519, Math: 505). While 90% of Colorado seniors took the SAT®, only 35% met both college readiness benchmarks, signaling that a majority of students may struggle with the academic demands of higher education.

The data also exposes performance gaps across demographic groups, income levels, and school locations. With Colorado students scoring significantly below the SAT® averages of top in-state universities, improving test preparation is an urgent priority for districts across the state.

Where Does Colorado Rank Nationally?

Colorado’s average SAT® score of 998 ranks near the bottom nationally, outperforming only 10 states and the District of Columbia. High-scoring states like Massachusetts (1129) and Connecticut (1099) set a much higher bar, while peer states with broad SAT® participation, like Michigan (1005) and Illinois (1007), still maintain higher averages.

These rankings suggest systemic challenges in preparing students for standardized testing and college readiness. Given that the SAT® is used for college admissions and state accountability measures, improving scores should be a key focus for Colorado educators.

Strengths and Weaknesses in Colorado’s SAT® Performance

Where Colorado Students Perform Best

While overall scores are below the national average, students show relative strength in:

• Command of Evidence (ERW subscore): Many students score between 7-9 out of 15, demonstrating an ability to analyze texts and cite supporting evidence.
• Expression of Ideas (ERW subscore): Students show moderate proficiency in revising sentences for clarity, style, and logical flow, indicating that writing instruction provides a solid foundation.
• Problem Solving & Data Analysis (Math subscore): Students perform better on interpreting graphs and tables compared to algebra-heavy sections.

‍Where Colorado Students Struggle the Most

‍Key areas of concern include:

• Heart of Algebra (Math subscore): Students struggle with linear equations, inequalities, and function analysis, contributing to Colorado’s low average math score of 488.
• Passport to Advanced Math (Math subscore): Performance drops further on quadratic equations, exponentials, and polynomials, with multi-step problems presenting major challenges.
• Standard English Conventions (ERW subscore): Grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure remain weak, with many students scoring 4-6 out of 15. Targeted grammar instruction could help address this gap.

‍Trends in College and Career Readiness‍

‍Popular Intended Majors vs. SAT® Readiness

‍Colorado students are most interested in Business (8%), Health Professions (8%), and Engineering (8%), all of which require strong math skills—an area where many students underperform. Interestingly, students pursuing STEM fields tend to have higher SAT® scores. For example:

• Mathematics & Statistics majors: Average 1279
• Engineering majors: Average 1184
• Personal & Culinary Services majors: Average 995

This suggests that many students may not be fully prepared for their intended college paths, increasing the risk of struggles in rigorous coursework.

‍Student Plans After High School

‍Despite high SAT® participation, many students may not be college-ready. The data shows:

• 29% aim for a bachelor’s degree (mean SAT®: 1076)
• 26% plan to pursue a master’s degree (mean SAT®: 1140)
• 16% are targeting doctoral or related degrees (mean SAT®: 1169)
• 22% remain undecided (mean SAT®: 1040)

With only 35% meeting both college readiness benchmarks, many students may face challenges accessing four-year programs or securing scholarships.

‍The Impact of Geography on SAT® Scores

‍SAT® performance varies significantly based on where students attend high school:

• Suburban schools: Average SAT® 1018 (ERW: 520, Math: 498)
• Rural schools: Average SAT® 999 (ERW: 511, Math: 488)
• Urban schools: Average SAT® 977 (ERW: 499, Math: 478)

Suburban students, who typically have more resources and access to test prep, score higher, while urban and rural students face additional barriers that impact performance.

‍Socioeconomic Gaps in SAT® Performance

‍Higher-income students and those with highly educated parents tend to perform best:

• Household income over $117,610: Average SAT® 1109, with 56% meeting both benchmarks
• Students with parents holding a graduate degree: Average SAT® 1189
• Students whose parents didn’t finish high school: Average SAT® 911

In contrast, students from lower-income backgrounds score significantly lower:

• Household income under $55,667: Average SAT® 892, with only 15% meeting both benchmarks
• Students in city schools: Average SAT® 977

These disparities highlight the need for targeted interventions to support underserved students in college readiness.

‍Challenges Ahead for Colorado‍

‍The Readiness Gap for College Applications

‍Nearly 48% of Colorado students sent scores to the University of Colorado Boulder or Colorado State University, yet their SAT® scores fall well below these schools' admission averages:

• CU Boulder: Average SAT® 1251
• CSU: Average SAT® 1178
• Colorado statewide average: 998

As a result, many students may face:

• Denial of admission to top-choice schools
• Placement in remedial courses, increasing time and cost to degree completion
• Limited scholarship opportunities due to lower test scores

Without stronger SAT® preparation programs, these gaps could lead to lower college enrollment and long-term economic consequences.

‍The Digital SAT® Transition

‍For the class of 2024, only 1% of Colorado’s students took the Digital SAT®, but by 2025, 100% will be required to take it. This shift brings new challenges, including:

• Adaptive testing format that changes based on student responses
• On-screen tools replacing traditional scratch paper
• A need for digital test familiarity to ensure success

This transition could widen achievement gaps if students in underfunded districts lack the technology resources or digital test prep needed to adapt.

‍How Schools Can Improve SAT® Readiness

‍To close the readiness gap, Colorado schools may want to invest more resources in:

• Stronger in-school SAT® prep programs aligned with digital test strategies
• Increased access to digital practice tests and adaptive testing simulations
• Early intervention in math instruction to boost performance before junior year

‍Support Your Students with Horizon Education

‍Horizon Education offers comprehensive, easy-to-implement SAT® prep solutions designed to help schools and districts boost student performance. With targeted practice, robust reporting, and digital test readiness, Horizon ensures that students are fully prepared for the SAT® and their future college goals. Request a demo today and see how Horizon can help your students succeed.