Colleges for a 1020 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1020 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 1020 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 605 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 1020 SAT score. However, it's crucial to remember that a good SAT score is not the sole criterion for admission. In fact, may colleges are now test optional. It's equally significant to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) that aligns with the college's expectations for incoming students. The creation of this list is rooted in a comprehensive analysis of SAT scores from students admitted to all U.S. colleges

Is a 1020 SAT bad?

A score of 1020 is a little worse than average. It situates you in the bottom 43rd percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your slightly below average performance in answering questions in the Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections of the exam. The SAT is scored out of a maximum of 1600 and a minimum of 400, meaning your 1020 score represents 64% of the total possible points. If a 1020 does not meet the requirements of your preferred college, you might want to consider enrolling in a test prep course to potentially enhance your score.

Demographic comparisons for a 1020

Let's examine how a 1020 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 1020 is 47 points (4%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 1020 is 34 points (3%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 1020 is 92 points (8%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 1020 is 86 points (9%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 1020 is 53 points (5%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 1020 is 219 points (18%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 1020 is 70 points (7%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 1020 is 93 points (10%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 1020 is 96 points (9%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 1020 is 40 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 1020 SAT score?

A 1020 on the SAT translates to a 19 on the ACT according to the concordance provided by the College Board and ACT. It's important to note that not all colleges disclose admission data for both the SAT and ACT. As such, we recommend checking our listings for each test to identify schools with similar academic profiles.

What percentile is a 1020 SAT score?

Scoring a 1020 on the SAT places you in the 43rd percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 43% of all test takers. To put this in perspective, about 1.7 million students sit for the SAT each year. Thus, with your score, you've outperformed about 731,000 students with only 969,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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605 results nationwide

List of 1020 SAT Colleges

Displaying 605 colleges where your 1020 SAT score is within the typical range of past accepted students. You have a chance at being accepted but admission may be challenging at more selective colleges. Hint: Filter by admission chance for 1,773 target schools (good chance), 1,215 reach (harder) schools and 1,386 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1100 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jun 1

Georgia State University
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Apr 1

San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1130 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Dec 15

California State University Long Beach
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1130 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Nov 30

Florida Atlantic University
F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due May 1

San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Nov 30

Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1120 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jan 31

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1120 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 44,767enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Aug 1

Grand Valley State University
G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 21,648enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due May 1

West Virginia University
W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,741enrollment
  • $12,202net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance81%

California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,460enrollment
  • $5,801net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 19

California State University Fullerton
C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,818enrollment
  • $11,596net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Towson University
T
Towson, MD

Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1120 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 19,793enrollment
  • $14,443net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Apr 1

Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,000enrollment
  • $30,015net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Apr 1

Morgan State University
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Apr 15

FAQs

Is a 1020 a good SAT score?

A score of 1020 is a little worse than average. The score puts you in the bottom 43rd percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 1020 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 1020 SAT score?

East Carolina University, Texas State University and Georgia State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 1020 SAT score.

What percentile is 1020 on the SAT?

A 1020 ranks in the bottom 43rd percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 1020 SAT?

A 1020 converts to a 19 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 19 ACT score.