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College of Idaho SAT Scores, GPA, and ACT (2026)

By the Cheetah Prep team · Reviewed July 15, 2026

SAT middle 50 percent

1070 to 1280

Half of enrolled students at College of Idaho scored in this range on the SAT. One quarter scored above 1280, and one quarter below 1070.

Average composite
1180
Acceptance rate
49.1%
ACT range
23 to 31
Test policy
Test optional
Location
Caldwell, ID
Undergraduates
1,041

College of Idaho SAT Scores and Admissions

About 49 of every 100 applicants get into The College of Idaho, so the college of idaho sat scores question sits inside a real admit rate of 49.1%. Roughly half the pool gets an offer, which means this is a school you can plan for rather than gamble on. The middle 50 percent of admitted students scored between 1070 and 1280 on the SAT. Land inside that band and your score reads as normal for the class. The average sits at 1180, right in the middle of that range.

The College of Idaho is a private nonprofit university in Caldwell, ID, and it is small. Total enrollment is 1041 students, so you are looking at a tight campus where a single class can be a couple dozen people. The score band breaks into two parts. Reading and Writing runs 540 to 650, and Math runs 530 to 630. On the ACT, admitted students landed between 23 and 31. In the most recent federal data the school is test optional, so scores are one lever among several rather than a hard gate you must clear.

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College of Idaho SAT Score Breakdown by Section

Here is the section by section SAT profile of enrolled students at College of Idaho, from the federal College Scorecard.

Section25th percentile75th percentile
Reading and Writing540650
Math530630
CompositeTotal SAT10701280
Average composite SAT1180

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

1070 to 1280

400National average near 10501600

College of Idaho Admissions Calculator: What Are Your Chances?

Enter your SAT score and unweighted GPA for an honest read on your chances of getting into College of Idaho, 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 College of Idaho'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 College of Idaho by SAT Score

Here is what specific scores mean at College of Idaho, based on its reported 1070 to 1280 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 scoreWhere it landsThe honest read
920Well below the 25th percentileA 920 is well below the 1070 to 1280 range at College of Idaho. On testing alone this score does not keep the application in contention, so raising it is the priority.
1020Just below the 25th percentileA 1020 falls just short of College of Idaho's 25th percentile of 1070. Some students get in below the range, but they usually bring something exceptional elsewhere in the application.
1180Inside the middle 50 percentA 1180 sits inside the 1070 to 1280 range, matching the profile of enrolled students. This is a competitive score here.
1280At the 75th percentileA 1280 matches the 75th percentile at College of Idaho, stronger than about 3 out of 4 enrolled students. Testing is a clear strength at this level.
1310Above the 75th percentileA 1310 beats the 75th percentile at College of Idaho. The score is doing all it can; nothing more is gained by retaking.

How to Raise Your SAT Score to College of Idaho's Range

The two targets that matter here are 1070, the score that puts you inside the admitted range, and 1280, 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 scoreTo reach 1070To reach 1280The plan
1000+70 points+280 points1000 to 1300 plan
1100Already there+180 points1100 to 1300 plan
1200Already there+80 points1200 to 1300 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 College of Idaho?

Here is how to read your score against the 1070 to 1280 band. A 1070 sits at the 25th percentile, so scoring there or just below puts you under the middle of the admitted class. You are not out, but the rest of your file has to carry more weight. A score around 1180 lands you near the average and squarely inside the range. A 1280 or higher puts you at the 75th percentile, in the top 1 out of 4 admitted students by score.

The two sections set slightly different bars. Reading and Writing runs 540 to 650, and Math runs 530 to 630, so the verbal side asks for a touch more at both ends. If you are stronger in one area, that is where you can bank points. Getting Reading and Writing into the 600s does more to move your total than grinding the last few Math points, given how the bands line up here.

College of Idaho GPA Requirements

Admitted students at The College of Idaho typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.6 to 3.9 band. That is the range the admit rate points to, and it is a useful target to aim for while you build your list. It does not mean a 3.55 gets you cut. It means most of the class shows steady grades across four years.

The number is not the whole story. Grades earned in rigorous courses count as much as the GPA itself, so an honors or AP schedule with a slightly lower average can read stronger than an easy schedule with a perfect one. If your GPA sits at the lower edge of that 3.6 to 3.9 band, a strong SAT is the fastest way to offset it. A score near the top of the 1070 to 1280 range tells an admissions reader that the grades undersell you. Since the school is test optional, sending a score is a choice, and a high one is worth sending.

Typical admitted GPA

3.6 to 3.9Competitive

Admitted students at College of Idaho typically present a GPA in the 3.6 to 3.9 range on an unweighted 4.0 scale. Strong grades in challenging courses count as much as the number itself, and an upward trend helps.

AccessibleExtremely competitive

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.

College of Idaho SAT Testing Policy

Test optionalGuidance for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle

College of Idaho 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 1175, the middle of College of Idaho's range. If you are below 1070, 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 College of Idaho?

College of Idaho 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.

1180+

Submit

At or above the middle of the admitted range, submitting clearly helps. A real data point beats an open question.

1070 to 1180

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 1070

Usually hold it

Below the 25th percentile the score rarely helps at College of Idaho. 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 College of Idaho's own site, where any mid cycle change would appear first.

College of Idaho ACT Scores: Should You Take the SAT or ACT?

The middle 50 percent of enrolled students at College of Idaho scored between 23 and 31 on the ACT, alongside the 1070 to 1280 SAT range. Like nearly every US college, College of Idaho 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 compositeSAT equivalent
311390 to 1410
301360 to 1380
291330 to 1350
281300 to 1320
271260 to 1290
261230 to 1250
251200 to 1220
241160 to 1190
231130 to 1150
221100 to 1120

SAT equivalents from the official College Board and ACT concordance tables. Highlighted rows fall inside College of Idaho's ACT middle 50 percent.

How to Get Into College of Idaho

Set your targets against the band. A 1070 keeps you in range at the 25th percentile, and that is the floor to aim for. A 1180 puts you at the average. Clear 1280 and you sit in the top 1 out of 4 admitted students by score, which is where test optional stops being a hedge and starts being an advantage. For sections, push Reading and Writing toward 650 and Math toward 630 to match the upper edge.

Start by finding out where you stand today. A short diagnostic shows your current section scores so you know how far the 25th and 75th percentiles really are. From there, build score plans that put your study hours on the section with the most room to grow. For most students aiming at The College of Idaho, that is nudging Reading and Writing from the 540 floor up into the 600s. Take the diagnostic this week and set your first target at 1180.

How Hard Is It to Get Into College of Idaho?

College of Idaho admits about 491 of every 1,000 applicants, and enrolls an undergraduate class of about 1,041. That ratio, not any single cutoff, is what makes the admitted profile look the way it does: when a school turns away 509 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: College of Idaho's 25th percentile score of 1070 already beats roughly 53% of all SAT takers nationally, and its 75th percentile of 1280 sits around the 84th 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 College of Idaho: Reach, Match, and Safety Options

Real reported ranges from schools students often consider alongside College of Idaho, 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.

SchoolSAT middle 50 percentAcceptance rateOdds vs College of Idaho
College of Idaho1070 to 128049.1%This page
Northwest Nazarene1005 to 124064.7%Similar oddsSAT about 52 lower
Rutgers University Camden1050 to 130066.3%Similar oddssimilar SAT range
Ouachita Baptist1070 to 128067.5%Similar oddssimilar SAT range
Siena1110 to 136069.0%Similar oddsSAT about 60 higher
Quinnipiac1150 to 132072.2%Similar oddsSAT about 60 higher
Idaho990 to 123075.5%Better odds than College of IdahoSAT about 65 lower

How Recent Are These College of Idaho 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 College of Idaho 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 College of Idaho's own admissions site, where any change would appear first.

College of Idaho SAT Scores and GPA: Frequently Asked Questions

What SAT score do you need to get into College of Idaho?

College of Idaho's middle 50 percent SAT range is 1070 to 1280. Aim for at least 1070 to be competitive, and 1280 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 1070 a good SAT score for College of Idaho?

A 1070 sits at College of Idaho's 25th percentile, the lower edge of its middle 50 percent range of 1070 to 1280. It keeps you in range, but a score closer to 1280 makes your application stronger.

What is the average SAT score at College of Idaho?

The average composite SAT score at College of Idaho is 1180. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored between 1070 and 1280.

Does College of Idaho require SAT scores?

No. College of Idaho 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 College of Idaho test optional for 2026-2027?

College of Idaho 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 College of Idaho?

College of Idaho's middle 50 percent ACT range is 23 to 31. Aim for at least 23 to be competitive and 31 or higher to be a strong applicant. A strong ACT can stand in for the SAT at College of Idaho.

What GPA do you need to get into College of Idaho?

Admitted students at College of Idaho typically present an unweighted GPA in the 3.6 to 3.9 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 College of Idaho's acceptance rate?

College of Idaho admits about 49.1% of applicants, which makes it selective. A strong SAT score helps your application stand out in a pool this competitive.

What are my chances of getting into College of Idaho?

College of Idaho admits about 49.1% of applicants, so your chances depend on where you sit against the admitted pool. The middle 50 percent of enrolled students scored 1070 to 1280 on the SAT and admitted students typically carry an unweighted GPA around 3.6 to 3.9. A score above 1280 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 College of Idaho's real numbers.

How can I raise my SAT score for College of Idaho?

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 College of Idaho superscore the SAT?

Superscore policies vary by school and change year to year, and College of Idaho 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.

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