1550 SAT Colleges: Best Schools for 1550 SAT Score

Best colleges for 1550 SAT Score are listed here. If you have achieved a SAT score of 1550, then you must choose at least 5 of the below listed colleges, as not only your chances of admissions will be good but also these colleges will be a good match for you. The following list of best suitable colleges for 1550 SAT scores is given so that you can choose a more suitable college, and may not choose a less competitive college or loose admissions because you have applied to a more competitive college.

Is a 1550 SAT Score Good for 2026?

Yes, a 1550 SAT score is considered Exceptional (Top 1%). Nationally, this performance puts you in the 99th percentile of nearly 2 million annual test-takers.

Strategic Admissions Guidance

A score of 1550 is nearly perfect. In the current 2026 admissions landscape, this puts you in the top 1% of applicants globally. For Ivy League institutions (Harvard, Yale, Princeton) and elite tech schools like Caltech, your SAT score is now 'checked off'—meaning it meets their highest threshold. Further testing is unnecessary. Your primary focus should now be on your Common App main essay and securing high-impact letters of recommendation that speak to your character and intellectual curiosity.

What does a 1550 mean for your applications?

In the 2026 admissions cycle, universities are increasingly looking for 'data-backed' proof of academic readiness. A 1550 serves as a standardized metric that complements your GPA. However, remember that admissions officers also weigh your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and the difficulty of your high school curriculum (AP/IB classes).

To help you build a balanced college list, we have analyzed thousands of data points from the Common Data Set (CDS) to categorize the schools below into Reach, Match, and Safety categories specifically for a 1550 applicant.

Best Colleges for 1550 SAT Score

Following is the list of colleges that accept 1550 SAT Score.

LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Math ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Maths ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
University of Chicago University of ChicagoIllinois1554 740 - 770770 - 800 4.79% Reach
Harvard University Harvard UniversityMassachusetts1553 740 - 780760 - 800 3.45% Reach
Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins UniversityMaryland1553 750 - 780780 - 800 7.56% Reach
Stanford University Stanford UniversityCalifornia1553 740 - 780770 - 800 3.91% Reach
Rice University Rice UniversityTexas1553 730 - 770770 - 800 7.88% Reach
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts1553 730 - 780780 - 800 4.74% Reach
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt UniversityTennessee1550 740 - 770770 - 790 6.28% Reach
Columbia University in the City of New York Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York1547 730 - 770760 - 800 4.23% Reach
Brown University Brown UniversityRhode Island1546 740 - 770760 - 800 5.23% Reach
Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvania1545 730 - 770770 - 800 11.4% Reach
University of Pennsylvania University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania1545 730 - 770770 - 800 5.87% Reach
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Franklin W Olin College of EngineeringMassachusetts1540 720 - 770760 - 790 21.66% Match
Duke University Duke UniversityNorth Carolina1539 740 - 770770 - 800 6.78% Reach
Harvey Mudd College Harvey Mudd CollegeCalifornia1537 720 - 770760 - 790 13.06% Reach
Princeton University Princeton UniversityNew Jersey1535 740 - 780760 - 800 4.5% Reach
Yale University Yale UniversityDelaware1534 740 - 780760 - 800 4.5% Reach
Dartmouth College Dartmouth CollegeNew Hampshire1533 740 - 780760 - 790 6.23% Reach
Washington University in St Louis Washington University in St LouisMissouri1530 730 - 770770 - 800 11.96% Reach
Swarthmore College Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania1527 720 - 770740 - 790 6.94% Reach
Williams College Williams CollegeMassachusetts1527 730 - 770740 - 790 9.99% Reach
New York University New York UniversityNew York1527 720 - 770760 - 800 9.41% Reach
Northwestern University Northwestern UniversityIllinois1526 730 - 770760 - 790 7.15% Reach
Pomona College Pomona CollegeCalifornia1520 730 - 770750 - 790 6.76% Reach
Cornell University Cornell UniversityNew York1520 720 - 770760 - 790 8.16% Reach
Claremont McKenna College Claremont McKenna CollegeCalifornia1514 710 - 770740 - 790 11.12% Reach
Bowdoin College Bowdoin CollegeMaine1514 730 - 760750 - 790 8.02% Reach
Emory University-Oxford College Emory University-Oxford CollegeGeorgia1513 700 - 760750 - 790 17.25% Reach
Wesleyan University Wesleyan UniversityDelaware1513 720 - 770730 - 770 17.1% Reach
Tufts University Tufts UniversityMassachusetts1513 710 - 760750 - 790 10.13% Reach
Wellesley College Wellesley CollegeMassachusetts1513 720 - 770720 - 780 13.91% Reach
Vassar College Vassar CollegeNew York1513 720 - 770715 - 780 17.73% Reach
University of Notre Dame University of Notre DameIndiana1510 710 - 760730 - 780 12.38% Reach
Jewish Theological Seminary of America Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaNew York1507 730 - 779710 - 780 45.07% Safety
Emory University Emory UniversityGeorgia1507 710 - 760750 - 790 11.1% Reach
Northeastern University Northeastern UniversityMassachusetts1505 710 - 760750 - 790 5.65% Reach
Washington and Lee University Washington and Lee UniversityVirginia1504 710 - 750700 - 780 17.36% Reach
University of Southern California University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia1501 700 - 760740 - 790 10.02% Reach
Boston College Boston CollegeMassachusetts1501 710 - 760720 - 780 15.65% Reach
Case Western Reserve University Case Western Reserve UniversityOhio1501 700 - 750730 - 790 28.68% Match
Barnard College Barnard CollegeNew York1500 723 - 770730 - 780 7.96% Reach
Middlebury College Middlebury CollegeVermont1500 720 - 770710 - 780 10.37% Reach
Colby College Colby CollegeMaine1500 710 - 760730 - 790 6.83% Reach
Haverford College Haverford CollegePennsylvania1498 710 - 760720 - 780 12.91% Reach
Georgetown University Georgetown UniversityDistrict of Columbia1494 700 - 770690 - 780 13.08% Reach
Amherst College Amherst CollegeMassachusetts1494 690 - 770670 - 780 9.82% Reach
Carleton College Carleton CollegeMinnesota1491 710 - 760720 - 790 22.28% Match
University of Virginia-Main Campus University of Virginia-Main CampusVirginia1488 700 - 750710 - 780 16.86% Reach
Hamilton College Hamilton CollegeNew York1487 700 - 770710 - 780 11.77% Reach
Grinnell College Grinnell CollegeIowa1486 698 - 760720 - 790 12.68% Reach
Smith College Smith CollegeMassachusetts1480 718 - 770690 - 770 19.73% Match
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtNew York1480 680 - 740720 - 780 19.05% Match
Scripps College Scripps CollegeCalifornia1480 720 - 760700 - 770 33.94% Safety
Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island School of DesignRhode Island1480 680 - 760690 - 780 13.81% Reach
Colgate University Colgate UniversityNew York1480 710 - 750720 - 780 11.95% Reach
University of Rochester University of RochesterNew York1480 690 - 750710 - 790 35.85% Safety
Webb Institute Webb InstituteNew York1480 670 - 745720 - 780 20% Match
University of Richmond University of RichmondVirginia1474 690 - 750720 - 780 23.31% Match
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Michigan-Ann ArborMichigan1473 670 - 750680 - 780 17.94% Reach
Brandeis University Brandeis UniversityMassachusetts1473 690 - 750700 - 780 35.31% Safety
Boston University Boston UniversityMassachusetts1473 680 - 740720 - 780 10.85% Reach
Northeastern University Oakland Northeastern University OaklandCalifornia1472 670 - 740720 - 780 16.54% Reach
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FAQ for SAT Score: 1550

How does a 1550 SAT score compare to the ACT?

A 1550 on the SAT is roughly equivalent to a 35 on the ACT. You’re in the top 1% of all test takers, and this level of performance is considered exceptional by nearly all universities.

What scholarships are available for a 1550 SAT score?

With a 1550, you qualify for a wide range of scholarships, including merit awards from top-tier universities, honors colleges, and private foundations. It’s a good idea to research each school’s scholarship cutoff scores.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 1550 SAT score?

Yes, your 1550 makes you a strong academic candidate. Ivy Leagues will appreciate your test score, but be sure your application also reflects leadership, initiative, and personal growth.

Should I retake the SAT to improve my score?

A 1550 is already an elite score. Retaking might not be worth the effort unless you’re aiming for a perfect 1600 or feel that test day didn’t reflect your true potential.

What is the national average SAT score?

The average is around 1050, so your 1550 is far above it. This places you in the top percentile nationally and makes you eligible for the most selective colleges.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 1550 SAT score if submitted?

Yes, test-optional schools will view your 1550 very favorably. It strengthens your application and shows that you can handle rigorous academic challenges.

What GPA is a 1550 SAT?

A 1550 SAT score typically aligns with a GPA of around 3.9 to 4.0. Still, colleges assess your full transcript—course difficulty and consistency are also important.

Can I get into NYU with a 1550 SAT?

Definitely. NYU’s average SAT range is much lower than 1550, so your score would be considered excellent. Just make sure to keep your essays and application compelling.

Is 1550 a good SAT score for Harvard?

It’s an excellent score for Harvard, though just slightly below their typical 75th percentile (around 1580–1600). Your chances are strong if the rest of your profile stands out.

Can I get into MIT with a 1550 SAT?

Yes, a 1550 is competitive for MIT. Focus on highlighting your passion for STEM through projects, coursework, and recommendations to complement your strong test performance.

Can I get into Princeton with a 1550 SAT score?

You’re in a great position for Princeton. Use your essays and application to demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership, and commitment to service to complete your profile.

Is a 1550 SAT score good?

Absolutely! A 1550 is a perfect SAT score, placing you in the top 1% of test takers. This score significantly strengthens your application to Ivy League and top-tier universities. Colleges will view this as evidence of outstanding academic ability.

Which colleges can I get into with a 1550 SAT score?

With a 1550, you are a competitive applicant at all top universities including Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and Yale. Your score opens doors to nearly every prestigious institution. Other factors like essays and extracurriculars still matter, but your score is not a limiting factor.

Best Colleges for SAT Score Ranges

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