Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities (2009-2010)

This article ranks the top Washington, D.C. colleges and universities by average (midhinge) SAT scores for recent enrollees.

The SAT college placement exam comprises three sections: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing. Each section of the SAT is worth a total of 800 points; therefore, a perfect score is 2400.

Ranking Washington, D.C. colleges and universities by average SAT scores is the best methodology for several reasons. First, Washington, D.C. is included among the so-called "SAT states" where more students sit for the SAT than the ACT exam. Second, every leading Washington, D.C. college and university reports SAT scores, but not necessarily ACT scores. Finally, it is implicitly recognized that SAT scores are the preferred measure of preparedness when applying to top Washington, D.C. colleges and universities. By way of example, 92% of enrollees at Georgetown University submitted SAT results with their applications compared to just 4% who proffered ACT scores.

The following are the top Washington, D.C. colleges and universities along with their locations, average SAT scores, acceptance rates, and enrollment rates.

1. Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities: Georgetown University

Location: 37^th and O. Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Average SAT Score: 1937
Acceptance Rate: 19%
Enrollment Rate: 45%

2. Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities: George Washington University

Location: 2121 I Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Average SAT Score: 1930
Acceptance Rate: 37%
Enrollment Rate: 34%

3. Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities: American University

Location: 4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.
Average SAT Score: 1905
Acceptance Rate: 53%
Enrollment Rate: 19%

4. Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities: Howard University

Location: 2400 Sixth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
Average SAT Score: 1810
Acceptance Rate: 54%
Enrollment Rate: 32%

5. Top Washington, D.C. Colleges and Universities: Catholic University of America

Location: 620 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.
Average SAT Score: 1675
Acceptance Rate: 81%
Enrollment Rate: 22%

NOTE: Some Washington, D.C. colleges and universities do not report SAT Writing scores. In such cases, scores were statistically imputed from Critical Reading scores. Specialty colleges and universities with limited courses of study, and institutions with "open admission" policies, are not included in these rankings.

To read more from this writer CLICK HERE.

Source(s):

"COLLEGE Navigator," ies NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS