A new set of rankings looks state-by-state at average SAT scores—reached by combining all test sections that max out at 1600—to determine each state’s average. 

While plenty of states show student struggles in the wake of COVID-19—in 2019 the average score nationwide was 1059 and in 2023 it was 1028—some states show higher achievement than others.

The  top scorer is Wisconsin, with an average SAT score of 1252. Wyoming is at 1244, Kansas is at 1238, Mississippi is at 1226, and Minnesota is at 1225. The lowest average SAT in 2023 was in West Virginia with just 938

Where do New Jersey students land? We’re #30, with an average SAT score this past year of 1079, just above New York but below California and Pennsylvania. According to the College Board, a score of 1079 is the 58th percentile, meaning the average NJ student outscored as well or better than 58 percent of SAT test takers.  

Here is each state with its SAT average score and rank.

1.Wisconsin: 1252

2. Wyoming: 1,244

3. Kansas: 1238

4. Utah: 1233

5. Mississippi: 1226

6. Minnesota: 1225

7. Nebraska:1222

8. Kentucky: 1219

9. South Dakota: 1219

10. North Dakota 1212

11. Montana: 1206

12. Missouri: 1200

13. Tennessee: 1200

14. Iowa: 1196

15. Arkansas: 1191

16. Nevada: 1172

17. Louisiana: 1171

18. Arizona: 1159

19. Alabama: 1146

20: Oregon: 1143

21: North Carolina: 1136

22: Hawaii: 1124

23: Virginia: 1124

24. California: 1115

25. Alaska: 1110

26. Washington: 1096

27: Vermont: 1095

28: Pennsylvania: 1091

29. Maine: 1081

30. New Jersey: 1079

31. Maryland: 1075

32. Indiana: 1073

33. New York: 1067

34. Georgia: 1060

35. Ohio: 1053

36: New Hampshire: 1050

37. South Carolina: 1030

38: Massachusetts: 1029

39. Connecticut: 1025

40: Colorado: 1021

41. Texas: 1001

42. Michigan: 1000

43. Florida: 983

44. Illinois: 981

45. New Mexico: 976

46. Rhode Island: 971

47: Delaware: 968

48. Idaho: 968

49. Oklahoma: 951

50. West Virginia: 938