While the SAT is still a critical factor in college admissions for many universities, it’s important to remember that its importance is evolving, and a single state holding the “highest” score doesn’t tell the whole story. That said, many parents will look at the top-performing states when thinking about their child’s education. We explore the 10 with the Lowest SAT Scores in 2023.
The 10 States with the Lowest SAT Scores
Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and income inequality can influence average SAT scores. This means some states do not perform as well as others regarding education, with these 10 states performing the lowest regarding SAT results.
West Virginia – 938
West Virginia has a higher poverty rate than the national average, which can create challenges in providing equitable access to quality educational resources and opportunities.
Oklahoma – 951
Oklahoma was among the states with lower average SAT scores in 2023, at 951, below the national average of 1028. Similar to West Virginia, Oklahoma has a significant rural population. Rural schools often need help with unique challenges like larger class sizes, limited access to specialists, and fewer educational resources than urban schools.
Delaware – 968
Average scores often mask discrepancies across different districts, demographics, and schools. Delaware likely has schools and communities with higher and lower average scores than the state average.
Idaho – 968
Scores within Idaho likely differ across districts, demographics, and individual schools. Focusing solely on the average doesn’t capture the complete picture of student achievement.
Rhode Island – 971
Like any average, Rhode Island’s score likely masks differences across districts, demographics, and individual schools. Focusing solely on the average doesn’t capture the complete picture of student achievement.
New Mexico – 976
New Mexico faces economic disparities, with some communities needing equal educational resources and opportunities, potentially impacting scores. While primarily urban, New Mexico has rural areas where schools may face resource limitations compared to urban schools, influencing test preparation opportunities.
Illinois – 981
Illinois invests in professional development for educators and supports new teachers, aiming to enhance the quality of instruction across the state. Many Illinois students excel academically and achieve their goals despite the average score.
Florida – 983
Florida’s SAT score 988 in 2023 falls below the national average 1028. While this statistic merits attention, avoiding oversimplification and considering the broader context is crucial. Florida has areas with economic disparities, which can impact educational resources and opportunities for some communities.
District of Columbia – 985
DC has a notoriously high cost of living, which can create disparities in access to educational resources and opportunities. Some communities may need help to afford extracurricular activities, test preparation courses, or even necessities, impacting their ability to focus on academics.
Michigan – 1000
Michigan has both urban and rural areas. Rural schools may face unique challenges like larger class sizes, limited resources, and fewer experienced teachers than urban schools, potentially influencing test preparation support and access.
The 10 States with the Highest SAT Scores
While SAT scores are not the only factor colleges consider when making admissions decisions, the higher your grade, the better your educational opportunities. Based on the College Board data, we look through The 10 states with the highest SAT scores.
Wisconsin: 1252
With an average score of 1252, Wisconsin students significantly outperform the national average 1028. This makes Wisconsin a state with consistently high academic achievement, as it has held the top spot for several years. Wisconsin invests heavily in education, from early childhood programs to teacher training and curriculum development. This creates a robust foundation for academic success from a young age.
Wyoming: 1244
Wyoming ranks second in the nation, just behind Wisconsin, with an average score of 1244. Wyoming students consistently perform above the national average of 1028, demonstrating substantial academic achievement. Many Wyoming students aspire to higher education, which motivates them to prepare for standardized tests like the SAT. Additionally, the state emphasizes college and career readiness within its educational system.
Kansas: 1238
Kansas ranks number three in the nation with an average score of 1238, placing it among the top-performing states for academic achievement. This score significantly surpasses the national average of 1028, demonstrating the consistent success of Kansas students.
Utah: 1233
Utah joined the club of states with a perfect SAT score in 2023, ranking fourth in the nation with an average of 1233. This is significantly above the national average of 1028, indicating solid academic performance among Utah students.
Mississippi: 1226
Mississippi ranks fifth in the nation with an average of 1226, 9.7% higher than the national average of 1028. This high score indicates strong academic performance among Mississippi students, placing the state among the top performers in standardized testing.
Minnesota: 1225
While not reaching the top five, it comes in strong at number six in the nation, boasting an average score of 1225 in 2023. This significantly surpasses the national average of 1028, highlighting the solid academic abilities of Minnesota students. Like several other high-scoring states, Minnesota exhibits a mix of rural, suburban, and urban communities. This suggests that fostering solid academic performance is achievable in diverse geographical settings.
Nebraska: 1222
Similar to other high-scoring states, a significant portion of Nebraska students aim for higher education, motivating them to invest in preparation for standardized tests like the SAT. Nebraska’s education system often emphasizes these skills, which could translate well to the SAT format and content.
Kentucky & South Dakota (tied): 1219
Kentucky and South Dakota are tied for eighth place in the nation, with an average SAT score of 1219 in 2023! This is significantly above the national average of 1028, showcasing the solid academic abilities of students in both states.
North Dakota: 1212
It’s important to note that only 83 North Dakota seniors took the SAT in 2023, representing a tiny sample size compared to other states. This can make the average score more susceptible to fluctuations and statistical biases. While the score undoubtedly indicates strong performance among those who took the test, it may not necessarily reflect the overall academic performance of all high school students in North Dakota.
Montana: 1206
Many Montana students aim for higher education, motivating them to invest effort in standardized tests like the SAT. The state curriculum emphasizes foundational reading, writing, and math skills, which can translate well to the SAT format and content.
“No Boomers Allowed”: 15 States Where Retirees Are NOT Welcome
If you’re planning a significant change during retirement, it’s crucial to think about the kind of home you desire and the aspects you should steer clear of. “If you’re thinking about making a big move in retirement, it’s important to consider what characteristics you want in your new home and which ones to avoid at all costs,” suggests experts. To assist you, we’ve compiled a catalog of the 15 least favorable states for retirement.
“No Boomers Allowed”: 15 States Where Retirees Are NOT Welcome
16 UNACCEPTABLE THINGS BOOMERS GOT AWAY WITH IN THEIR YOUTH THAT WOULD SPARK OUTRAGE TODAY
Looking back on the childhood of the boomer generation, it becomes evident that certain things once considered appropriate would never pass today’s standards. The cultural landscape has evolved significantly, leading us to recognize 16 aspects of their upbringing that would be deemed wholly unacceptable today. From unsupervised outdoor adventures to unfiltered television content, the boomer generation got away with various experiences that would undoubtedly raise eyebrows in today’s world. Let’s delve into these intriguing elements of their upbringing and reflect on how far society has come.
16 UNACCEPTABLE THINGS BOOMERS GOT AWAY WITH IN THEIR YOUTH THAT WOULD SPARK OUTRAGE TODAY
STUCK IN THE 60S: 10 THINGS BABY BOOMERS REFUSE TO LET GO OF
Memories of the “good old days” keep us trapped in the past. Baby boomers love to retell tales of how it was “in my day.” At the same time, millennials will tell them to get with the times. Being stuck in a time warp from which they don’t want to snap out of, here are things that baby boomers still think are fantastic. STUCK IN THE 60S: 10 THINGS BABY BOOMERS REFUSE TO LET GO OF
IT’S TIME TO LET GO: 30 OUTDATED BOOMER HOME TRENDS THAT DESPERATELY NEED TO BE SHOWN THE EXIT!
With the advances of social media, home trends, décor, and fads change faster than ever before. While some trends become instant classics, others can be redundant, unsensible, or just downright hideous. In a popular online forum, users shared the home fads they’re tired of seeing. We’ve compiled a list of these most disliked home décor fads, so grab a cup of coffee, and let’s look into these less-than-inspiring home design options!
IT’S TIME TO LET GO: 30 OUTDATED BOOMER HOME TRENDS THAT DESPERATELY NEED TO BE SHOWN THE EXIT!