25 colleges ยท fall 2024 data
California colleges by SAT and ACT score
25 California colleges report SAT or ACT ranges for the fall 2024 entering class. The median SAT midpoint is about 1330. Sorted from the highest score range to the lowest.
| College | SAT middle 50% | ACT middle 50% | Acceptance rate | Test policy (fall 2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | 1510-1580 | 34-35 | 3.6% | Test-optional |
| Harvey Mudd College | 1500-1570 | 34-36 | 13% | Test-optional |
| Pomona College | 1490-1560 | 33-35 | 7.1% | Test-optional |
| Claremont McKenna College | 1470-1560 | 33-35 | 9.6% | Test-optional |
| University of Southern California | 1450-1550 | 32-35 | 9.8% | Test-optional |
| Scripps College | 1440-1540 | 31-34 | 38% | Test-optional |
| Occidental College | 1380-1520 | 31-34 | 44% | Test-optional |
| Santa Clara University | 1350-1490 | 31-33 | 48% | Test-optional |
| Pepperdine University | 1290-1450 | 29-32 | 63% | Test-optional |
| Loyola Marymount University | 1260-1430 | 28-32 | 45% | Test-optional |
| Chapman University | 1260-1440 | 28-31 | 65% | Test-optional |
| University of the Pacific | 1183-1480 | 23-32 | 71% | Test-optional |
| Westmont College | 1240-1450 | 25-32 | 77% | Test-optional |
| Thomas Aquinas College | 1220-1400 | 28-33 | 83% | Required |
| Otis College of Art and Design | 1265-1395 | Not reported | 82% | Test-optional |
| University of San Francisco | 1190-1390 | 25-30 | 62% | Test-optional |
| Dominican University of California | 1210-1300 | Not reported | 84% | Test-optional |
| California Lutheran University | 1150-1330 | 24-31 | 76% | Test-optional |
| Biola University | 1160-1370 | 24-29 | 74% | Test-optional |
| Point Loma Nazarene University | 1175-1365 | 25-32 | 84% | Test-optional |
| University of Redlands | 1107-1350 | 21-28 | 83% | Test-optional |
| William Jessup University | 1041-1228 | Not reported | 93% | Test-optional |
| Azusa Pacific University | 983-1238 | 25-30 | 88% | Test-optional |
| University of La Verne | 986-1236 | 18-25 | 71% | Test-optional |
| Hope International University | 840-1220 | Not reported | 33% | Test-optional |
Ranges describe enrolled first-year students who submitted scores. Check your own score against every college in the directory.
FAQ
California college admissions questions
Which California college has the highest SAT scores?
Stanford University has the highest score range in California in this directory, with an SAT middle 50% of 1510-1580 and an acceptance rate of 3.6% for fall 2024.
What is a typical SAT score for California colleges?
Across the 25 California colleges here that report SAT ranges, the median SAT midpoint is about 1330. Ranges run from 840-1220 at Hope International University up to 1510-1580 at Stanford University.
How many California colleges required the SAT or ACT?
1 of the 25 California colleges listed here reported requiring SAT or ACT scores for fall 2024. Policies have changed since, so confirm with each college.
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Sources and method
Where these numbers come from
- College Scorecard data downloads (June 10, 2026 release)U.S. Department of Education
- College Scorecard data dictionary and cohort mapU.S. Department of Education
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)National Center for Education Statistics
Test scores: 25th, 50th and 75th percentile SAT section scores and ACT composites of first-time students who enrolled in fall 2024 and submitted scores, as each college reported to IPEDS. Composite SAT ranges add the two section percentiles, so they are an estimate of the true composite range.
Admissions and test policy: Fall 2024 entering class, reported to IPEDS in 2024-25. Policies change; check each college's admissions site before applying.
Cost and outcomes: tuition for academic year 2024-25; average net price for academic year 2023-24; graduation rate for first-time, full-time students who started in 2018-19, graduating within 150% of normal time (6 years for a bachelor's degree); median earnings 10 years after entry, measured in 2020 and 2021, in 2022 dollars.
Coverage: colleges currently operating that reported SAT or ACT ranges and enrolled at least 500 undergraduates. Data released 2026-06-10, retrieved 2026-10-05. Spot an error? Email [email protected].