By state

North Carolina colleges by SAT score

15 North Carolina schools with published score bands, from the U.S. Department of Education — highest band first.

By PrepScore · Updated 1 September 2026 · How we research and update content

In short

Among North Carolina colleges in the federal dataset, Duke University has the highest enrolled-student SAT band at 1500–1570. The table below lists 15 North Carolina schools' middle-50% SAT and ACT ranges, highest first — each links to a page on setting a target for that school. Every figure is the enrolled middle 50% from College Scorecard, retrieved 2026-09-01.

North Carolina schools, by enrolled SAT band

Middle 50% of enrolled students (College Scorecard, 2026-09-01). A dash means the school reports no band for that test.
School	SAT (mid 50%)	ACT	Undergrads
Duke University	1500–1570	34–35	6k
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	1390–1530	28–34	21k
Wake Forest University	1410–1520	32–34	5k
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	1300–1470	28–32	27k
University of North Carolina at Greensboro	1150–1355	22–27	14k
University of North Carolina Wilmington	1230–1340	24–29	15k
University of North Carolina at Charlotte	1140–1330	21–28	24k
High Point University	1110–1320	24–33	5k
Appalachian State University	1120–1280	21–27	19k
Elon University	1130–1280	23–28	6k
Western Carolina University	1080–1270	19–25	10k
East Carolina University	1070–1240	21–26	20k
University of North Carolina at Pembroke	970–1200	18–23	5k
North Carolina A & T State University	1020–1190	17–23	12k
Fayetteville State University	890–1090	15–19	6k

How to read a middle 50%

A quarter of enrolled students scored below the band and a quarter above it. It describes who enrolled — not a cutoff, and not who was admitted.

Pick a school for the full picture — the section split, what the band means for a target, and where the figure comes from. Or browse every state.

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Frequently asked questions

Which North Carolina college has the highest SAT scores?

In the federal dataset, Duke University — an enrolled middle 50% of 1500–1570. Bands describe enrolled students, not cutoffs.

What SAT score do I need for college in North Carolina?

It spans the table above — from 890–1090 to 1500–1570 across 15 schools. Pick the schools you mean and aim at the upper half of their bands.

Where do these numbers come from?

The U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (IPEDS), retrieved 2026-09-01. Each school's own page links its federal profile.