SAT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference

A Side-by-Side Comparison of College Admissions Data

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By
Allen Grove
Allen Grove
College Admissions Expert
  • Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
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Updated on February 24, 2020

The SEC, Southeastern Conference, is one of the strongest NCAA Division I athletic conferences for both the strength of its athletic programs and the academic quality of the member institutions. If you're wondering if you have the SAT scores you'll need to get into one of the SEC universities, the table below provides a side-by-side comparison of SAT scores for the middle 50% of enrolled students. If your scores fall within or above these ranges, you're on target for admission to one of these universities.

Southeastern Conference Score Comparison (mid 50%)
(Learn what these numbers mean)

Reading 25% Reading 75% Math 25% Math 75%
Alabama 530 640 520 640
Arkansas 560 640 550 640
Auburn 570 650 560 660
Florida 620 710 620 690
Georgia 610 690 590 680
Kentucky 550 660 530 670
LSU 530 640 530 650
Mississippi State Not Reported
Missouri 570 680 550 670
Ole Miss 550 640 520 650
South Carolina 590 660 580 670
Tennessee 580 660 560 650
Texas A&M 570 670 570 690
Vanderbilt 710 770 730 800
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Read More
ACT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference
By Allen Grove

View the ACT version of this table

If your SAT scores are a little below the lower numbers above, don't lose hope. Keep in mind that 25% of matriculated students had scores below the lower number. When your scores are on the low end, however, you'll need to have other strengths to make up for the less-than-idea SAT numbers. 

At all of these universities, a strong academic record will play a significant role in the overall admissions equation. High grades in core subjects will always impress the admissions folks, and better yet is success in AP, IB, Honors, and Dual Enrollment classes.

Other requirements will vary from school to school, but letters of recommendation, meaningful extracurricular activities, a strong application essay, demonstrated interest, and legacy status can make a difference at some schools. 

In general, the SEC schools are relatively selective, and successful applicants tend to have grades and standardized test scores that are at least average, and many admitted students have "A" averages and standardized test scores that are well above average. Vanderbilt University is certainly not the strongest school for athletics in the conference, but it is by far the most academically rigorous. 

More SAT Comparison Tables: Ivy League | top universities | top liberal arts | top engineering | top public universities | top public liberal arts colleges | University of California campuses | Cal State campuses | SUNY campuses | more SAT charts

Data from National Center for Education Statistics

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Grove, Allen. "SAT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference." ThoughtCo, Aug. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/sat-scores-for-the-southeastern-conference-788640. Grove, Allen. (2020, August 25). SAT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/sat-scores-for-the-southeastern-conference-788640 Grove, Allen. "SAT Scores for Admission to the Southeastern Conference." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/sat-scores-for-the-southeastern-conference-788640 (accessed April 23, 2024).