2024 Average SAT® Scores by State
Wondering how your school’s SAT scores compare to state and national averages? We’ve compiled a list of the latest 2024 average SAT scores to help you see exactly where your school stands.
Average SAT Scores 2024: How Does Your School Compare?
Wondering how your school’s SAT scores compare to state and national averages? We’ve compiled a list of the latest 2024 average SAT scores to help you see exactly where your school stands. By comparing your school’s scores to these benchmarks, you’ll get a clearer picture of your students’ strengths, areas for growth, and overall readiness for college.
Keep reading to see how your school stacks up — and discover how Horizon Education can help you understand and improve your students’ scores on the SAT.
The SAT Scoring System: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the numbers, let’s review how the SAT is scored. The test includes two sections: evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) and math. Both of these sections are scored on a scale of 200-800. The total SAT score is the sum of these two sections and ranges from 400 to 1600, with 1600 being a perfect score.
Every year, the College Board releases an annual report that shows the average SAT scores for the country and every state. All the data in this blog post has been pulled from these reports.
Which States Require the SAT?
The role of the SAT varies widely across states. In some states, it’s mandatory for graduation or used to meet state accountability requirements. In others, it’s optional and students take it if the colleges or universities they’re applying to require it for admission.
Currently, there are 10 states that require the SAT for graduation. These states are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. There are several states where the SAT is not required, but the state provides funding for an SAT School Day, a day when students take the test for free at school. These states include Idaho, Maine, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, as well as Washington, D.C.
National Averages
In 2024, nearly 2 million students (1,973,891) took the SAT! The average total score was 1024, the average ERW score was 519, and the average math score was 505.
State Averages
Here is a list of average SAT scores by state, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Take a look to see how your school compares to state and national benchmarks!
Key Highlights
This data reveals important trends in SAT performance across the country. Here are a few key highlights:
Top Performers
- Highest Average Total Score: Kansas had the highest total SAT score at 1256 — 232 points higher than the national average! This was followed by Wyoming at 1253 and Utah at 1230.
- Highest Average ERW Score: Wyoming scored 636, 117 points higher than the national average.
- Highest Average Math Score: Kansas scored 623, 118 points higher than the national average.
Lowest Performers
- Lowest Average Total Score: Unfortunately, New Mexico came in with the lowest total average SAT score at 885. This was followed by West Virginia at 919 and Washington, D.C. at 937.
- Lowest Average ERW Score: The lowest average ERW score went to New Mexico at 453.
- Lowest Average Math Score: The lowest average math score went to New Mexico at 431.
Participation Rates Matter!
One thing this data shows is that participation rates matter. For example, New Mexico had the lowest average SAT scores but a 100% participation rate (it’s one of the states where the SAT is required). Meanwhile, Kansas had some of the highest scores but only 2% of students (734) took the SAT. Interestingly, the majority of students in Kansas (74%) took the ACT. Those who chose to take the SAT likely did so for college admissions and were probably more prepared and motivated than the average student, thus boosting the state’s scores.
States with Strong Participation and High Scores
If we look at states that had both a strong participation rate (20% or higher) and high scores, one state that stands out is North Carolina. 23,495 students (20%) took the SAT and they had an average total score of 1161 (137 points higher than the national average), an ERW score of 570, and a math score of 557. Way to go, NC!
Another noteworthy state was Hawaii, which had a 27% participation rate and an average total score of 1124. Oregon came in next, with a 23% participation rate and an average total score of 1117.
How Does Your School Compare?
If your school’s SAT scores fall below expectations, it’s not too late to turn things around. With the new digital SAT rolling out earlier this year, preparation is more important than ever.
Our team at Horizon Education can help. We partner directly with your school or district to create an SAT preparation program for your school. Our solution includes benchmark assessments that mirror the official digital SAT testing experience, professional development for educators, and personalized curriculum that delivers real results (think interactive lesson plans, practice sets, video explanations, and more!). We also provide detailed score reports that help you understand the data and make actionable, data-driven decisions. Plus, this data is great for your state reporting requirements.
Horizon Education is designed to build student confidence and improve scores across your school or district. On average, students who used our curriculum increased their scores by 160+ points on the SAT.
Ready to turn your school’s SAT scores around? Get a demo of the Horizon platform.
