Stanford University SAT and ACT scores
Stanford, CA · private college · 8,054 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as Stanford University reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for Stanford University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to Stanford University scored 1510 to 1580, with an average of 1553. A score at or above 1550 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for Stanford University?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 34 to 35. A 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does Stanford University require the SAT or ACT?
Stanford University reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does Stanford University accept the CLT?
Stanford University is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in California with similar scores
- Harvey Mudd CollegeSAT 1500–1570
- Pomona CollegeSAT 1490–1560
- Claremont McKenna CollegeSAT 1470–1560
- University of Southern CaliforniaSAT 1450–1550
- Scripps CollegeSAT 1440–1540
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Brown UniversitySAT 1510–1580
- Columbia University in the City of New YorkSAT 1510–1580
- Harvard UniversitySAT 1510–1580
- Johns Hopkins UniversitySAT 1520–1570
- Princeton UniversitySAT 1510–1580
- University of ChicagoSAT 1510–1580
More about Stanford University
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: Stanford University (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026