California Colleges for a Low SAT Score

Getting into college in California with a low SAT score.

College admission test taking is stressful. Not everyone rocks their SAT test. A low score doesn't mean you can't get into college. We've prepared a list of all selective admission, four year California colleges which are likely to accept students who scored in the lower fifty percentile on the SAT. Based on school admission history, an applicant with a lower than average SAT has a good chance to get into these 17 schools. Schools are listed in order from low SAT score to highest.


17 results

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

Applications Due Nov 30

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

Applications Due Jan 19

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

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University Fresno
C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Dec 15

Sonoma State University
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

University of California Merced
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University San Marcos
C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

California Baptist University
C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

California State University Monterey Bay
C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Mount St. Mary's College
M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA

Life Pacific College
L
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 500enrollment
  • $22,395net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1085SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA

Applications Due May 1

California State University San Bernardino
C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

La Sierra University
L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $25,076net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA

San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus
S
Calexico, California

San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 808enrollment
  • -net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 850-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

San Diego Christian College
S
El Cajon, CA
 

San Diego Christian College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 355enrollment
  • $33,393net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 900-1098SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA

King's University
K
Van Nuys, TX
 

King's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 532enrollment
  • $22,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 870-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jul 29