University of Idaho SAT Scores 2026: Average SAT Scores by State & College

Idaho’s average SAT total of 970 sits 38 points below the national average of 1008, with 494 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 476 in Math. Idaho has a SAT participation rate of 95%, effectively making the exam mandatory or near-universal in the state. The national average SAT score for the class of 2025 is 1029, with 521 in Reading and Writing and 508 in Math based on data from over two million test takers.

Idaho ranks among the ten states with the lowest average SAT scores alongside West Virginia, Oklahoma, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Illinois, Florida, the District of Columbia, and Michigan. However, this comparison is misleading without participation context. States with very high participation rates consistently post lower averages because the testing pool includes every student rather than just those who are college-bound and self-motivated to test.

The benchmark picture is equally important for individual students. A score of 480 or higher meets the College Board’s college readiness benchmark for Reading and Writing, while the Math benchmark suggests readiness for first-year college coursework. Students meeting both benchmark thresholds have approximately a 75% chance of earning a C or higher in related first-semester college courses.

Comparing your score to national percentiles rather than your state is the most useful approach. A 1010 sits around the 50th percentile and a 1300 around the 86th percentile, which tells you how your score travels across state lines when applying to colleges outside Idaho. For Idaho students applying to universities beyond the state, the statewide average of 970 provides almost no useful admissions guidance since every target school evaluates applicants against its own national applicant pool rather than a state-level comparison.

What Factors Influence the Average SAT Score in Idaho?

Here are factors that students need to know that affect the average score in Idaho shown below:

• Socioeconomic status: Influences average SAT score.
• Access to quality educational resources: Impacts test preparation.
• Preparatory programs: Challenges in rural areas like fewer qualified teachers and limited tutoring services.
• SAT as part of college admissions: Influences test preparation approach.
• GPA: Higher academic achievement leads to better SAT performance.

Median SAT at Idaho’s Top Colleges

“Students in Idaho should understand that statewide SAT averages are influenced by low participation, so comparing scores to national benchmarks is more useful for college planning. For those aiming to get into University of Idaho or similar schools, focusing on reaching or exceeding the middle 50% range can significantly improve both admission chances and scholarship opportunities”

Legacy Online School

The median SAT at Idaho’s universities varies considerably by institution. Idaho State University has an average SAT composite of 875, with a 25th percentile of 1240 and a 75th percentile of 1590, and an acceptance rate of 84%, making it non-selective and accessible to most applicants who meet basic requirements. The University of Idaho and Boise State University sit somewhat higher, with middle-50% ranges generally falling between 1000 and 1200.

For students academically aiming at more selective institutions outside Idaho, the statewide average is far less relevant than national percentiles. A score of 1350 and above is generally considered very good as it puts you in the top 10% of test takers nationally, and Ivy League and top-tier schools typically look for scores between 1450 and 1600, while competitive state universities often want 1200 to 1400.

The most important takeaway for Idaho students is that the state average of around 970 reflects a broad population rather than a college-bound subset, meaning scoring above 1050 already places an Idaho student meaningfully above their state peers, and hitting 1200 or above opens competitive merit aid opportunities at many regional universities that actively recruit Idaho students.

What Is the Average SAT Score for Idaho High School Students?

The SAT average for Idaho high school students sits noticeably below the national midpoint, but the reasons behind that gap reveal a more nuanced picture of student performance across the state.

The average SAT score in Idaho is 970, with 494 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 476 in Math, based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Idaho has a SAT participation rate of 95%, effectively making the exam mandatory for most students and resulting in a near-universal testing population that includes students across all ability levels. The average SAT score in Idaho for the 2023 to 2024 testing year was around 986, reflecting slight variation year to year within a consistent range.

Of the 219 schools in Idaho that reported SAT data, only 81 earned scores above the state average of 962, meaning 138 schools performed below the state average. Nontraditional schools dominate Idaho’s top 10 list, with charter academies and college prep schools of choice consistently outperforming traditional public schools.

Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy’s average SAT score of 1295 is higher than any of Idaho’s college averages, illustrating how well-prepared students from top schools are for higher education. Schools that prioritize test-prep classes, accelerated curriculums, and peer tutoring programs consistently see higher scores, with students learning specific techniques for managing time and handling complex SAT questions.

Among colleges with the highest SAT scores in Idaho with the highest institutional averages, New Saint Andrews College leads with an average SAT of 1220 and Northwest Nazarene University has the highest ACT scores at 28, while the average SAT scores across all Idaho four-year colleges sits at 1118. Students aiming at competitive Idaho institutions should target scores above 1100 as a minimum, with 1200 or above opening merit scholarship opportunities at most in-state universities.

What Are the Admission Requirements Based on SAT Scores for Idaho Colleges?

Idaho colleges tend to have different admission standards because the SAT scores of the applicants can be so different. At Idaho State University, students are likely to be accepted if they score at least 950 on their SAT, but the College of Idaho may ask for scores at least 1100 to be seriously considered. Admission to college often depends on these scores which help officials see if a student is ready for college-level work and might succeed in a hard academic setting.

What Schools in Idaho Have the Lowest SAT Scores?

Understanding where colleges in Idaho sit at the lower end of the SAT spectrum is a genuinely useful part of any college search, particularly for students whose scores fall below the state average and who want realistic options without abandoning a four-year degree path.

Lewis-Clark State College tops the list of colleges in Idaho with the lowest SAT scores for incoming freshmen, with an average SAT score of 990. That sits right at the statewide average, reflecting the school’s open-access mission and broad student population. Here is how the lower end of Idaho’s college SAT spectrum compares:

What Low SAT Scores Mean for Admissions Decisions?

Idaho State University has an acceptance rate of 84%, meaning it is not selective and students have a strong chance of getting in as long as they do not fall well below average. The school really wants to see at least a 1240 to have a realistic chance at being considered for competitive programs.

The University of Idaho has an average SAT composite of 1110 with a 25th percentile of 1000 and a 75th percentile of 1230, with an acceptance rate of 75.5%. A score of 1000 or higher gives students a strong chance of admission, and the school is not selective enough that scores alone determine admissions decisions.

For the College of Idaho, scoring at 1160 or above already gives students a strong shot at getting in, and because the school is moderately selective with a 47.2% acceptance rate, strong academic performance across the application will almost guarantee admission even if test scores are not exceptional.

The most important takeaway for students conducting a college search with lower scores is that admissions decisions at most colleges in Idaho are genuinely holistic. GPA, course rigor, essays, and recommendations carry significant weight alongside SAT scores at every institution on this list, meaning a score below 1000 does not automatically close doors at open-access schools like Lewis-Clark State, and a score between 1000 and 1100 keeps the University of Idaho firmly within reach.

What Are the Strategies for Improving Low SAT Scores in Idaho?

Here are some specific and simple strategies students can use to improve their low scores shown below:

• Engage in SAT preparation courses.
• Utilize online resources.
• Participate in tutoring sessions.
• Develop effective study habits.
• Use practice tests.
• Implement programs for struggling students.

How Do SAT Scores in Idaho Compare to Other States?