Key takeaways
Understanding the shifting trends in SAT scores for the Class of 2025 is crucial for students and advisors. The average SAT score has dropped slightly, but the introduction of a digital format and the rise of test-optional policies are influencing how scores are interpreted and utilized in college admissions.
- The average SAT score for the Class of 2025 is approximately 1028, with Reading & Writing averaging 520 and Math averaging 508 (College Board, 2024).
- Students from families earning over $200K average scores between 1230-1280, highlighting the impact of socioeconomic status on performance.
- States with lower participation rates, like Kansas (1256), show higher average scores compared to states with nearly universal participation, such as Michigan (965).
- Focus on the mid-50% score range for your target colleges rather than getting discouraged by state or national averages.
Contents
SAT score trends are shifting again in 2025—driven by the new digital format and growing test-optional movements. If you’re a senior this year (or advising one), understanding the national average SAT scores and how they’re changing can help you better interpret your results and decide whether to retake.
What Is the Average SAT Score for the 2025 Testing Year?
The average SAT score for students in the Class of 2025 (based on those who tested in 2023-2024) sits around:
- Total Score: 1028
- Reading & Writing (R&W): 520
- Math: 508
How Does the College Board Calculate the National Mean Score?
The national mean isn’t just a simple average—it includes scores from all U.S. test takers, regardless of whether they were applying to college or taking the SAT for state graduation requirements.
The College Board releases annual data on:
- Total score averages (400-1600)
- Section breakdowns
- Demographics (gender, ethnicity, income, etc.)
State-by-State Variations in Average SAT Scores
Here’s a breakdown of the latest available average SAT scores by state, based on the 2024 class data (used for 2025 admissions):
| Rank | State | Average SAT Score |
| 1 | Kansas | 1256 |
| 2 | Wyoming | 1253 |
| 3 | Utah | 1230 |
| 4 | North Dakota | 1229 |
| 5 | Nebraska | 1227 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 1221 |
| 7 | Minnesota | 1215 |
| 8 | South Dakota | 1214 |
| 9 | Kentucky | 1208 |
| 10 | Montana | 1204 |
States like these tend to have lower participation—often under 10%—which means the students who take the SAT are generally already college-focused and better prepared. That’s why their average scores skew high.
Now compare that to the states with the lowest average scores:
| Rank | State | Average SAT Score |
| 41 | Michigan | 965 |
| 42 | Rhode Island | 954 |
| 43 | Delaware | 948 |
| 44 | Florida | 948 |
| 45 | Washington, D.C. | 937 |
| 46 | West Virginia | 919 |
| 47 | New Mexico | 885 |
In these states, the SAT is often administered statewide during school hours, so participation rates are high—sometimes close to 100%. That means the scores reflect a full cross-section of students, including those with no plans for college, which naturally lowers the average.
How Income Levels Influence SAT Performance?
There’s a strong and well-documented correlation between household income and SAT performance:
- Students from families earning $200K+ annually average around 1230-1280
- Students from households earning under $40K often average below 960
This performance gap is attributed to:
- Access to test prep resources
- School funding differences
- Availability of AP and honors coursework
- Time constraints (e.g., jobs, caregiving responsibilities)
“The first chart shows that SAT scores are highly correlated with income. Students from families earning more than $200,000 a year average a combined score of 1,714, while students from families earning under $20,000 a year average a combined score of 1,326”
How Do Average SAT Scores Differ by Ethnicity?
Here’s how average SAT scores broke down across ethnic groups in 2024 (used for 2025 college admissions):
| Race/Ethnicity | Evidence-Based Reading & Writing (ERW) | Math | Total Score |
| Asian | 599 | 629 | 1228 |
| White | 551 | 532 | 1083 |
| Two or More Races | 556 | 534 | 1090 |
| Hispanic or Latino | 481 | 458 | 939 |
| Black or African American | 467 | 440 | 907 |
| Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander | 475 | 452 | 926 |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 449 | 432 | 881 |
| No Response | 477 | 471 | 949 |
These differences aren’t about potential—they reflect differences in preparation and support.
The Class of 2025 and Average SAT Score Trends
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The Class of 2025 is the first group to take the digital SAT with fewer problems from COVID. Early data shows:
- Scores are a little higher than for students in 2022–2024
- More students are applying without test scores, but those who do send scores usually have stronger results
- More colleges are using superscores, especially to give scholarships
This means average scores may continue to rise slightly among students applying to selective schools—but the national average may still hover near 1020 due to broader access.
How the Class of 2025 Compares to Previous Years?
Average SAT scores have declined slightly over recent years, a trend likely influenced by the pandemic’s long tail, inconsistent access to prep, and broader shifts in student participation:
| Graduation Year | National Average SAT Score |
| 2021 | 1060 |
| 2022 | 1050 |
| 2023 | 1028 |
| 2024 | 1024 |
What Key Factors Are Shaping Scores for Current Seniors?
Several key forces are shaping SAT performance for the Class of 2025:
- Digital-first testing
- Wider use of adaptive scoring
- Uneven access to prep resources
- Test-optional fatigue
- School reopening stability
How the Digital SAT May Reshape Score Averages?
The Digital SAT is shorter and arguably more efficient—but that also means:
- Fewer questions → each one has greater weight
- Mistakes in a hard module can lower scaled scores faster
- Students with strong digital reading and calculator fluency may see score gains
- Test prep strategies are shifting to module-by-module mastery
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist
Sources: College Board, Reddit
