SAT Scores for District of Columbia Colleges, School by School (2026-27)

Georgetown stands apart in DC: it requires at least one full SAT or ACT sitting for 2026-27 applicants, while GW (test-optional since 2015 for most applicants), American, Catholic, Howard, and UDC are all test-optional (Catholic goes further and says scores are not even recommended). Published score ranges describe a cohort; they are not admission cutoffs.

The table covers 6 colleges District of Columbia families apply to most, from the most selective to the large public universities. Read each cohort note before comparing numbers. The bottom rows show the score-based money District of Columbia families can earn: DCTAG, public university rate and DCTAG, private HBCU / DC-region private nonprofit rate.

District of Columbia college score profiles and cohort notes

Cohort notes: Georgetown: DC's most selective school and one of the few elite universities nationally still requiring a test score for Fall 2027; its own Key Facts page confirms 3,618 admits out of 26,822 Fall 2025 undergraduate applications. GW: GW's acceptance rate has tightened sharply in recent cycles; its test-optional policy (in place since 2015) is now confirmed directly on GW's own admissions site rather than inferred from historical reporting. American: AU allows self-reported scores rather than requiring an official report at the application stage; its own Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opened directly) confirms a 1320-1440 SAT composite among the 16% of its enrolled class who submitted one. Catholic: Catholic explicitly says scores are not even recommended, a step further than most test-optional schools. Howard: The nation's most prominent HBCU; its own Common Data Set 2024-2025 (opened directly) confirms 34,211 Fall 2024 applicants with 14,144 admitted, a 41.3% rate, and a 1050-1250 SAT composite among the 47% who submitted one. UDC: DC's only public university and its sole open-access four-year option; a minority of applicants submit a test score. These are not interchangeable measures.

School by school

Georgetown University: 1405 to 1530

Georgetown reports a 1405 to 1530 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). It admitted 13.5% of 26,822 applicants (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). The matching ACT range is 32-35. Testing for fall 2027: Required for 2026-27 (Fall 2027 entry): at least one full SAT or ACT sitting. Georgetown does not accept the official superscore but internally takes the best Reading/Writing and best Math across whatever is submitted. DC's most selective school and one of the few elite universities nationally still requiring a test score for Fall 2027; its own Key Facts page confirms 3,618 admits out of 26,822 Fall 2025 undergraduate applications.

George Washington University: 1310 to 1450

GW reports a 1310 to 1450 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025 (CDS 2025-26, C9); 36.5% submitted SAT). It admitted 47.1% of 27,034 applicants (fall 2025, CDS 2025-26). The matching ACT range is 31-34. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional for the large majority of applicants, a policy GW has held since 2015; a short list of populations (e.g. certain home-schooled and international applicants) must still submit SAT/ACT scores, and GW superscores both tests when submitted. GW's acceptance rate has tightened sharply in recent cycles; its test-optional policy (in place since 2015) is now confirmed directly on GW's own admissions site rather than inferred from historical reporting.

American University: 1320 to 1440

American reports a 1320 to 1440 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2025 (16% of class submitted SAT), CDS 2025-2026, section C9). It admitted 65.6% of 20,960 applicants (Fall 2025, CDS 2025-2026 (20, 960 applicants / 1, 545 enrolled)). The matching ACT range is 30-33. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional; applicants may self-report ACT/SAT scores on the application. AU allows self-reported scores rather than requiring an official report at the application stage; its own Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opened directly) confirms a 1320-1440 SAT composite among the 16% of its enrolled class who submitted one.

Catholic University of America: Not published

Catholic does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. It admitted ~83% (latest cycle). The matching ACT range is 22-29. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional since 2021; scores are neither required nor recommended. Catholic explicitly says scores are not even recommended, a step further than most test-optional schools.

Howard University: 1050 to 1250

Howard reports a 1050 to 1250 middle 50% SAT (enrolled, fall 2024 (47% of class submitted SAT), CDS 2024-2025, section C9). It admitted 41.3% of 34,211 applicants (Fall 2024 (14, 144 admitted / 34, 211 applied / 2, 738 enrolled), CDS 2024-2025). The matching ACT range is 22-28. Testing for fall 2027: Test-optional for the 2026-27 cycle; a student who does not submit a score is not disadvantaged. Does not apply to joint-degree programs, which may still want scores. The nation's most prominent HBCU; its own Common Data Set 2024-2025 (opened directly) confirms 34,211 Fall 2024 applicants with 14,144 admitted, a 41.3% rate, and a 1050-1250 SAT composite among the 47% who submitted one.

University of the District of Columbia: Not published

UDC does not publish a composite SAT range for its latest class. It admitted ~61% (latest cycle). The matching ACT range is 16-20. Testing for fall 2027: Test scores not required for admission; considered if submitted. DC's only public university and its sole open-access four-year option; a minority of applicants submit a test score.

What the SAT is worth in District of Columbia

DC has no SAT-cutoff scholarship; its signature program, DCTAG, is a residency- and income-based tuition grant with no test-score requirement, so score-tied money in DC comes only from the individual universities, and even those grids are thin among the schools researched here.

DCTAG, public university rate: No SAT cutoff (residency and income based, not test score). The gap between out-of-state and in-state tuition at any public university nationwide, for DC residents who meet the income and residency rules.

DCTAG, private HBCU / DC-region private nonprofit rate: No SAT cutoff (residency and income based, not test score). A flat annual award toward tuition at a private HBCU anywhere, or a private nonprofit in the DC region, for DC residents who meet the income and residency rules.

DCTAG is not an SAT-tiered program; the two rows above describe its two tuition tracks (public vs. private HBCU/DC-region private), not test-score brackets.

The misconception: test optional means the SAT does not matter in District of Columbia

GW, American and Howard are test optional for fall 2027, so many families assume the score is irrelevant. The ranges above come from the students who chose to send one, and they sit well above the overall class. Georgetown and Catholic still require a score. A strong score is one more reason for a school to say yes, and a weak one can simply stay home.

Quick answers

Do you need an SAT score for DC TAG?

No. DC TAG is based on DC residency (12 consecutive months before college), income limits, and high school or GED completion. It has no SAT or ACT requirement, and for 2026-27 it pays up to $15,000 a year (public track) or $3,750 a year (private HBCU/DC-region private track).

Does Georgetown require the SAT?

Yes. Georgetown requires at least one full SAT or ACT sitting from every first-year applicant for the 2026-27 cycle, one of the few elite schools nationally still requiring a score. Its admitted middle 50% SAT range is 1400 to 1540.

Is the SAT given free at school in DC?

Yes. The Office of the State Superintendent of Education has run a free SAT In-School Testing Day for every DC public and public charter high school junior and senior since fall 2014, with a fall window for seniors and a spring window for juniors each year.

What SAT score do you need for George Washington University?

GW's admitted middle 50% SAT range is reported at 1310 to 1450 for a recent cycle, with a 47.1% acceptance rate. GW itself confirms it is test-optional for the large majority of applicants, a policy in place since 2015.

Is there a public university option within DC itself?

Yes: the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is DC's only public university, with an admitted SAT range of roughly 890 to 1030 among the minority of applicants who submit a score, and test scores are not required.

Are these ranges cutoffs?

No. A middle 50% describes the central half of the reported group, not an admission cutoff. Some rows describe enrolled students or score submitters only, as labeled. A position within a range does not guarantee admission or merit aid.

More for District of Columbia families

• SAT prep in District of Columbia
• District of Columbia SAT test dates for 2026-27
• Find your teen's target score

Sources

University and state sources: Georgetown, GW, American, Catholic, Howard, UDC, DCTAG, public university rate. Reviewed October 9, 2026. Cohorts and entry terms differ; confirm current requirements with each admissions office.