Colleges for a 1020 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1020 SAT score?

1020 SAT Score, 43% Percentile

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 546 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.

What are the best colleges can I get into with a 1020?

Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.


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546 results nationwide

List of 1020 SAT Colleges

Displaying 546 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 1,620 target schools (good chance), 1,137 reach (harder) schools and 1,215 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Alabama State University
A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

940 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,964enrollment
  • $13,282net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 839-1050SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Jul 31

The University of Texas at Arlington
T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 45,949enrollment
  • $15,220net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Jun 1

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1080 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,322enrollment
  • $9,541net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance46%

Applications Due Jun 1

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1040 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,612enrollment
  • $13,904net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1120 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,734enrollment
  • $10,934net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jun 1

Illinois State University
I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1100 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,233enrollment
  • $20,933net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1200SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Apr 1

University of North Florida
N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,594enrollment
  • $9,789net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance67%

California State University Chico
C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,702enrollment
  • $16,109net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Dec 15

Central Michigan University
C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1120 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 15,424enrollment
  • $15,758net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance65%

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Composite

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,687enrollment
  • $15,749net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Jun 1

Kean University
K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1020 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,759enrollment
  • $17,401net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1120SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 15

Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,300enrollment
  • $18,332net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due May 1

Portland State University
P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1130 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 22,858enrollment
  • $12,195net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance97%

California State University Fresno
C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1000 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,047enrollment
  • $6,906net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Dec 15

Azusa Pacific University
A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1120 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 8,126enrollment
  • $31,367net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 966-1266SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jun 1

University of Northern Colorado
N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1090 Average SAT Composite

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 10,348enrollment
  • $16,510net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 1

Montclair State University
M
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 20,744enrollment
  • $15,061net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance85%

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 8,998enrollment
  • $15,747net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance94%

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 San Jose 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.