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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SAT 1020 Public Private 4 year

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.

California State University Fresno
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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
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Dec 15

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1100 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,380enrollment
  • $18,310net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Michigan Dearborn
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M
Dearborn, MI

University of Michigan Dearborn

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1150 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 8,223enrollment
  • $12,444net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1290SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance39%

Applications Due Apr 1

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Montclair State University
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M
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 21,784enrollment
  • $13,742net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1200SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Radford University
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R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance91%

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance81%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
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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
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Culinary Institute of America
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C
Hyde Park, NY

Culinary Institute of America

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,124enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oakland University
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O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1130 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 16,108enrollment
  • $15,161net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1245SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Michigan University
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W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance78%

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Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

 

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1120 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,431enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance75%

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Valdosta State University
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V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Jun 15

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California State University Northridge
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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
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of California Merced
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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
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 

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.