Colleges for a 870 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 870 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 870 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 121 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 870 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 870 SAT bad?

A score of 870 isn't very competitive. It situates you in the bottom 18th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your very poor 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 870 score represents 54% of the total possible points. If a 870 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 870

Let's examine how a 870 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 870 is 197 points (18%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 870 is 184 points (17%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 870 is 242 points (22%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 870 is 64 points (7%) lower than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 870 is 97 points (10%) lower than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 870 is 369 points (30%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 870 is 80 points (8%) lower than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 870 is 57 points (6%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 870 is 246 points (22%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 870 is 190 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 870 SAT score?

A 870 on the SAT translates to a 15 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 870 SAT score?

Scoring a 870 on the SAT places you in the 18th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 18% 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 306,000 students with only 1,394,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 870 Public Private 4 year

121 results nationwide

List of 870 SAT Colleges

Displaying 121 colleges where your 870 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 339 target schools (good chance), 1,602 reach (harder) schools and 1,332 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

California State University Los Angeles
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jan 19

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Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jul 31

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Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due May 1

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Hampton University
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H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Mar 1

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Savannah State University
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S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

 

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,945enrollment
  • $9,452net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT

Applications Due Jul 15

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Albany State University
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A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

820 Average SAT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,334enrollment
  • $14,672net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT

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Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Mar 1

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North Carolina Central University
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HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Winston Salem State University
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HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Alabama A & M University
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A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance59%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due May 31

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Fort Valley State University
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HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

880 Average SAT Score

 

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance41%

Applications Due Jun 15

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South Carolina State University
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HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Jul 31

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Lamar University
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Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 16,803enrollment
  • $11,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Central State University
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C
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

860 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 5,434enrollment
  • $10,194net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bowie State University
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B
HBCU
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 6,275enrollment
  • $13,886net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 800-1048SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due May 15

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Delaware State University
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HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,826enrollment
  • $11,886net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 830-1060SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance45%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 870 a good SAT score?

A score of 870 isn't very competitive. The score puts you in the bottom 18th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 870 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 870 SAT score?

California State University Los Angeles, Alabama State University and Texas Southern University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 870 SAT score.

What percentile is 870 on the SAT?

A 870 ranks in the bottom 18th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 870 SAT?

A 870 converts to a 15 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 15 ACT score.