Saint Mary's SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026
SAT middle 50 percent
1130 to 1325
Half of enrolled students at Saint Mary's scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1325, and one quarter below 1130.
- Average composite
- 1246
- Acceptance rate
- 76.0%
- ACT range
- 26 to 30
- Test policy
- Test optional
- Location
- Notre Dame, IN
- Undergraduates
- 1,458
Saint Mary's SAT Scores and Admissions
Saint Mary's SAT scores break down by section: the middle 50 percent for Reading and Writing lands between 580 and 680, while Math sits a bit lower at 550 to 645. Put together, the Saint Mary's SAT middle 50 runs from 1130 to 1325, and the average composite is 1246. That average tells you where most admitted students cluster, roughly in the middle of the range rather than at either edge.
Context matters here. Saint Mary's College admits about 76.0% of applicants, so this is a place where a solid score keeps you comfortably in the pool rather than one where every point is a fight. It is a private nonprofit college in Notre Dame, Indiana, with a small enrollment of 1,458 students. That scale shapes the read on your application: a smaller class means admissions officers have room to look past a single number. Testing was optional in the most recent federal data, so you can choose whether to send a score. If yours falls inside or above the middle 50, sending it usually helps your case rather than hurts it.
Cheetah Prep
Achieve your dream SAT score before it's too late.
Start using Cheetah Prep by hitting the button below. Here is what you get from the first session:
- Adaptive practice that finds your weak spots and trains them with real SAT questions
- A diagnostic that predicts your SAT score out of 1600 in just 20 questions
- The Solve the SAT with Desmos course: 31 interactive lessons
- A study plan built around the score Saint Mary's expects
- Start with our free trial
Saint Mary's SAT Score Breakdown by Section
Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at Saint Mary's, from the federal College Scorecard.
| Section | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Reading and Writing | 580 | 680 |
| Math | 550 | 645 |
| CompositeTotal SAT | 1130 | 1325 |
The College Board reports section percentiles, not section averages, so an average is shown for the composite only.
Where this sits on the 400 to 1600 scale
1130 to 1325
Saint Mary's Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?
Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into Saint Mary's, measured against real enrolled student data instead of a made up percentage.
No SAT score yet? Take the diagnostic and get a real number in about 25 minutes.
How this calculator works: your SAT is compared with Saint Mary's's reported middle 50 percent range from the federal College Scorecard, your GPA is compared with the range admitted students at similarly selective schools typically present, and both are weighed against the school's real acceptance rate. We do not print a made up percent chance. No calculator can see your essays, your course rigor, or your recommendations, and at selective schools those decide close calls. Treat this as an honest read of your academic position, not a prediction.
Chances of Getting Into Saint Mary's by SAT Score
Here is what specific scores mean at Saint Mary's, based on its reported 1130 to 1325 middle 50 percent range. Find the row closest to your score, or use the calculator above for a read on your exact numbers. No made up percentages: each verdict is your real position in the enrolled class.
| SAT score | Where it lands | The honest read |
|---|---|---|
| 980 | Well below the 25th percentile | A 980 is well below the 1130 to 1325 range at Saint Mary's. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority. |
| 1080 | Just below the 25th percentile | A 1080 falls just short of Saint Mary's's 25th percentile of 1130. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application. |
| 1230 | Inside the middle 50 percent | A 1230 sits inside the 1130 to 1325 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here. |
| 1330 | At the 75th percentile | A 1330 matches the 75th percentile at Saint Mary's, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level. |
| 1360 | Above the 75th percentile | A 1360 beats the 75th percentile at Saint Mary's. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking. |
How to Raise Your SAT Score to Saint Mary's's Range
The two targets that matter here are 1130, the score that puts you inside the admitted range, and 1325, the score that puts you in the top quarter. Here is the size of the jump from common starting points, with the step by step plan for each one.
| Starting score | To reach 1130 | To reach 1325 | The plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 | +130 points | +325 points | All score plans |
| 1100 | +30 points | +225 points | 1100 to 1400 plan |
| 1200 | Already there | +125 points | 1200 to 1400 plan |
Not sure where you stand today? The diagnostic gives you a real starting score and a section breakdown in one sitting, so the gap you plan around is your actual gap.
What SAT Score Do You Need for Saint Mary's?
Here is how to read your score against the Saint Mary's SAT range. A composite below 1130 puts you under the 25th percentile, which means you would be applying from behind and leaning on the rest of your file. A score between 1130 and 1325 lands you inside the middle 50, right where most admitted students sit. Anything above 1325 places you in the top 25% of the pool.
The section splits sharpen the picture. Reading and Writing sets the higher bar at Saint Mary's: its middle 50 of 580 to 680 runs above the Math range of 550 to 645. So a strong verbal score does more to move you up than an equal gain in Math. If you are stronger in one section, know that a high Reading and Writing result carries extra weight against this school's numbers. Balance still helps, but the verbal side is where the range is toughest.
Saint Mary's GPA Requirements
Admitted students at Saint Mary's College typically present an unweighted GPA somewhere around 3.0 to 3.5. That band reflects the school's 76.0% acceptance rate, which leaves room for students whose grades sit in the B to A minus territory rather than a spotless record.
The number is only part of the story. Grades earned in rigorous courses count as much as the GPA itself, so an honors or AP class with a B can weigh more than an easy class with an A. If your GPA sits at the lower edge of that band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A score at or above 1246, the average here, signals readiness in a way that a transcript alone sometimes cannot. Keep steady grades in demanding classes, and let your test score carry some of the load where your GPA is thinner. That combination reads better than either piece on its own.
Typical admitted GPA
Admitted students at Saint Mary's typically present a GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Steady grades in a reasonable course load are usually enough on the GPA side of the application.
If your GPA sits at or below this range, a strong SAT score is the fastest way to stay competitive, since grades are hard to move late in high school. See where your SAT score really stands and build the plan around the gap.
These are unweighted grades on a 4.0 scale. A school that weights GPA or reports a different scale will show a higher number.
Saint Mary's SAT Testing Policy
Saint Mary's considered scores without requiring them (test optional) in the most recent federal data. Testing policies change year to year, so confirm the current 2026-2027policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit scores.
Should you submit your score?
Submit your score when it is at or above 1228, the middle of Saint Mary's's range. If you are below 1130, the 25th percentile, consider holding your score and letting your grades, essays, and activities carry the application.
Last verified July 15, 2026
Should You Submit Your SAT Score to Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's was test optional in the most recent federal data, which turns your score into a strategic choice. The folk theory that applying without scores signals weakness is overstated, but the math of what helps is simple: a score that lands inside or above the admitted range works for you, and a score well below it does not.
1230+
Submit
At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.
1130 to 1230
Lean submit
Inside the range, most counselors say send it: you are within the profile of enrolled students, and holding it back leaves the reader guessing.
Below 1130
Usually hold it
Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at Saint Mary's. Apply without it, or better, close the gap first. Scores can still matter for merit scholarships elsewhere on your list.
Policy as reported for the 2024-2025 cycle. We verified it against Saint Mary's's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.
Saint Mary's ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?
The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at Saint Mary's scored between 26 and 30 on the ACT, alongside the 1130 to 1325 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, Saint Mary's states no preference between the two tests. The right move is to take whichever test converts higher for you, using the official concordance below, and send that one.
| ACT composite | SAT equivalent |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1360 to 1380 |
| 29 | 1330 to 1350 |
| 28 | 1300 to 1320 |
| 27 | 1260 to 1290 |
| 26 | 1230 to 1250 |
| 25 | 1200 to 1220 |
SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside Saint Mary's's ACT middle 50 percent.
How to Get Into Saint Mary's
Set your targets against the actual numbers. Reaching 1130, the 25th percentile, keeps you in range. Clearing 1325, the 75th percentile, puts you in the top quarter of admitted students. A practical aim is the average of 1246, which lands you squarely inside the middle 50. By section, shoot for 680 or higher in Reading and Writing and 645 or higher in Math to reach the top edge.
Break the composite into section goals so the work stays concrete. Our score plans map out how many points to add in each area and how to get there week by week. If you are not sure where you stand today, start with a diagnostic to see your current Reading and Writing and Math splits against these targets. Your next step: take that first practice test, mark the sections holding you back, and set a target date well before your application deadline.
How Hard Is It to Get Into Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's admits about 760 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 1,458. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 240 of every 1,000 people who apply, the students who get in cluster at the top of every measurable scale.
For perspective against the country as a whole: Saint Mary's's 25th percentile score of 1130 already beats roughly 63% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1325 sits around the 89th percentile. A score that feels middling on this page is an excellent score almost anywhere else, which is worth remembering when you build the rest of your list.
Colleges Similar to Saint Mary's: Reach, Match, and Safety Options
Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside Saint Mary's, ordered by acceptance rate. Odds are compared on acceptance rate first, because a school with a lower SAT average can still be far harder to get into.
| School | SAT middle 50 percent | Acceptance rate | Odds vs Saint Mary's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's | 1130 to 1325 | 76.0% | This page |
| Notre Dame | 1455 to 1560 | 11.3% | Harder to get into than Saint Mary'sSAT about 280 higher |
| Purdue | 1200 to 1480 | 49.9% | Harder to get into than Saint Mary'sSAT about 113 higher |
| San Francisco | 1190 to 1390 | 61.7% | Similar oddsSAT about 63 higher |
| Ohio Northern | 1175 to 1400 | 74.4% | Similar oddsSAT about 60 higher |
| Indiana University Indianapolis | 1030 to 1240 | 76.4% | Similar oddsSAT about 92 lower |
| IU Bloomington | 1170 to 1400 | 78.2% | Similar oddsSAT about 58 higher |
How Recent Are These Saint Mary's SAT Scores?
Every score, rate, and enrollment figure on this page comes from the US Department of Education College Scorecard, 2024-2025 release, the same federal dataset colleges report into. Testing policy reflects the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. This page was last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Score ranges quoted around the web for Saint Mary's disagree with each other more than you would expect, usually because a site is quoting an older class or an unlabeled estimate. We publish the reported number, label the vintage, and update when the source updates. We also cross checked Saint Mary's's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.
Saint Mary's SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions
What SAT score do you need to get into Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's's middle 50 percent SAT range is 1130 to 1325. Aim for at least 1130 to be competitive, and 1325 or higher to be a strong applicant. There is no hard cutoff, but a score in or above this range keeps your application in contention.
Is a 1130 a good SAT score for Saint Mary's?
A 1130 sits at Saint Mary's's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 1130 to 1325. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1325 makes your application stronger.
What is the average SAT score at Saint Mary's?
The average composite SAT score at Saint Mary's is 1246. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 1130 and 1325.
Does Saint Mary's require SAT scores?
No. Saint Mary's was test optional in the most recent federal data, so you can apply without SAT scores. Confirm the current 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site before you decide whether to submit.
Is Saint Mary's test optional for 2026-2027?
Saint Mary's was test optional in the most recent federal data, meaning you could apply without scores. Policies change year to year, so verify the 2026-2027 policy on the school's admissions site.
What ACT score do you need for Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's's middle 50 percent ACT range is 26 to 30. Aim for at least 26 to be competitive and 30 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at Saint Mary's.
What GPA do you need to get into Saint Mary's?
Admitted students at Saint Mary's typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.0 to 3.5 range on the 4.0 scale, based on schools with a comparable acceptance rate. Grades earned in rigorous courses matter as much as the number itself, and a strong SAT score is the fastest way to offset a GPA at the lower edge of that range.
What is Saint Mary's's acceptance rate?
Saint Mary's admits about 76.0% of applicants, which makes it less selective. A strong SAT score still helps your application stand out, especially for selective majors, honors programs, and merit scholarships.
What are my chances of getting into Saint Mary's?
Saint Mary's admits about 76.0% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 1130 to 1325 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.0 to 3.5. A score above 1325 puts you in the strongest quarter of the class on testing. Use the admissions calculator on this page to check your own SAT and GPA against Saint Mary's's real numbers.
How can I raise my SAT score for Saint Mary's?
Focus your prep on the section costing you the most points, then follow a study plan built for your target score range. Cheetah Prep has step by step score plans for specific point jumps and unlimited practice questions with worked solutions.
Does Saint Mary's superscore the SAT?
Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and Saint Mary's does not report this in the federal data. Check the school's admissions site for its current superscore policy, which tells you whether it combines your best section scores across test dates.
About this page: written and reviewed by the Cheetah Prep team. Last reviewed July 15, 2026.
Related guides
College of Saint Benedict SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
College of Saint Benedict SAT middle 50 percent: 1048 to 1233. About 91.5% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the.
Mount St. Mary's SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
Mount St. Mary's SAT middle 50 percent: 1046 to 1280. About 73.8% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the gap.
Saint Ambrose SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
Saint Ambrose SAT middle 50 percent: 930 to 1170. About 77.3% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the gap.
Saint Anselm SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
Saint Anselm SAT middle 50 percent: 1110 to 1278. About 78.1% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the gap.
Saint Edward's SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
Saint Edward's SAT middle 50 percent: 970 to 1240. About 81.4% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the gap.
Saint Johns SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)
Saint Johns SAT middle 50 percent: 941 to 1228. About 90.6% get in. See 2026 score and GPA requirements, where your score stands, and how to close the gap.