What is a good sat score for ivy league schools? Your dream is to go to one of the best universities in the United States of America. You cherish education, and you’re hoping to study your dream course in a school with a solid reputation. You’re imagining yourself in schools like Harvard and Princeton.
These schools, along with six (6) others, are considered ivy league schools. They are the best universities in the United States, considering their academic excellence and prestigious reputation.
Now, if you’re ready to take the challenge and you’re asking, “what is the best SAT score for ivy league?” We’ve got you. In this article, we’ll answer the following common questions about ivy league schools:
- What are the eight ivy league schools?
- What is a good SAT score for ivy league?
- What is the minimum sat score for ivy league?
- What are the ivy league SAT requirements for 2025?
As always, we’re here to support your academic journey, so let’s get this tackled!
Table of Contents
About the Ivy League Schools
When you talk of ivy league schools, you’re talking Yale, Princeton, and Harvard—the best private universities in the United States (US).
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The Ivy League is a group of eight elite private universities in the northeastern United States, known for their academic excellence, prestige, and competitive admissions.
In no particular order, the eight Ivy League schools include:
- Harvard University
- Brown University
- Dartmouth University
- Princeton University
- Columbia University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Cornell University
- Yale University
Gaining acceptance into an Ivy League school requires outstanding academic performance, including strong SAT scores.
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600, combining results from evidence-based reading, writing, and mathematics.
In ivy league schools, where academic excellence is a baseline requirement, a good SAT score falls within or above the 75th percentile of admitted students, making the competition extraordinarily high.
In the following section, we’ll answer the question, what is a good SAT score for ivy league schools? Also, we will discuss what makes an exceptional score.
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What Is a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
A good SAT score for ivy league schools ranges between 1400 and 1500.
However, to improve your chances of gaining admission into the ivy league schools, you should aim for a score above 1500, as scores between 1550 and 1600 are considered exceptional.
According to admissions data between 2022 and 2024, the average SAT scores of students admitted into the ivy league schools fall within the following ranges:
| No. | Ivy League Schools | Minimum SAT Score |
| 1. | Harvard | 1500 – 1580 |
| 2. | Brown | 1500 – 1570 |
| 3. | Cornell | 1480 – 1570 |
| 4. | Pennsylvania | 1500 – 1570 |
| 5. | Columbia | 1490 – 1570 |
| 6. | Princeton | 1500 – 1580 |
| 7. | Dartmouth | 1500 – 1570 |
| 8. | Yale | 1500 – 1570 |
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Minimum SAT Score for Ivy League Schools
As earlier discussed, gaining admission into ivy league schools is an extremely competitive process. While an SAT score of 1400 may fly in other schools, it might be rejected in ivy league schools.
From the table in the previous section on what is a good SAT score for ivy league schools, the minimum SAT score for ivy league universities is 1480.
It’s important to note, however, that ivy league schools consider a wide range of factors, besides SAT scores, before offering admission. These include GPA, letters of recommendation, essays, leadership, talent or athletic prowess, etc.
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Ivy League SAT Requirements 2025
Students often inquire about the ivy league SAT requirements for 2025. In essence, they want to know what the average test scores are and whether SATs or ACTs are still mandatory in ivy league schools.
In a previous section on what is a good SAT score for ivy league schools, we discussed the minimum test score for ivy league colleges, which is 1480.
However, taking the SATs is not a mandatory requirement in some ivy league schools. Since 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, schools began to adopt test-optional policies, including ivy league colleges.
Ivy league schools like Columbia and Princeton still maintain the test-optional policies, using other factors to determine admission, while other ivies have reverted to mandatory SAT or ACT policies.
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The ivy league schools with mandatory SAT requirements include:
- Pennsylvania
- Dartmouth
- Harvard
- Cornell
- Brown
Schools with test-optional policies still appreciate it when students submit test scores, so our advice is that you take those SATs or ACTs and aim high, as this gives you an edge over other applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1400 a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
1400 is NOT a good SAT score for ivy league universities. The minimum SAT score for ivy league schools is 1480.
Is 1480 a Good SAT Score for the Ivy League?
YES, 1480 is a good SAT score for ivy league schools. With this score, you can increase your chances of gaining admission into ivies like Cornell University and Columbia University.
Is 1520 a Good SAT Score for Ivy League Schools?
Yes, 1520 is a good SAT score for ivy league schools. This score can strengthen your application for admission into Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Yale, etc.
What is a Good SAT Score for Harvard?
A good SAT score for Harvard ranges between 1500 and 1560. However, an exceptional and more competitive SAT score for Harvard starts at 1580.
Conclusion: Ace Your SAT Score for Ivy League Schools
There you have it. We’ve successfully answered your question: what is a good SAT score for ivy league schools? We’ve covered the minimum SAT scores for ivy league schools, and the ivy league SAT requirements for 2025.
Now it’s up to you to select your preferred ivy league school, prepare for your test, and ace that SAT!
Remember, ivy league schools are extremely competitive. The higher your score, the better your chances. Therefore, when considering what constitutes a good SAT score for the Ivy League, aim for a score of 1560 or higher. We wish you all the best.
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References
- www.bestcolleges.com – What Is a Good SAT Score for the Ivy League in 2025?
