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.

Sonoma State University
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1050 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,371enrollment
  • $17,239net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Oakland University
O
Rochester Hills, MI

Oakland University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1100 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,170enrollment
  • $14,674net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 970-1230SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Western Michigan University
W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 18,266enrollment
  • $18,091net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

1070 Average SAT Composite

 

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 12,000enrollment
  • $12,649net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance77%

Northern Illinois University
N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1060 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 16,234enrollment
  • $14,397net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

Jacksonville University
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,995enrollment
  • $24,502net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance65%

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Composite

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,557enrollment
  • $12,221net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jun 15

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1010 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,108enrollment
  • $8,882net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Nov 30

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1050 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 13,995enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Aug 1

University of California Merced
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,093enrollment
  • $13,578net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Nov 30

Flagler College St Augustine
F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1090 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,652enrollment
  • $25,324net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Mar 1

Bridgewater State University
B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,942enrollment
  • $17,545net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1200SAT range
  • 19-28ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Feb 15

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

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

950 Average SAT Composite

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,400enrollment
  • $13,794net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 840-1050SAT range
  • 18-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,953enrollment
  • $13,324net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Aug 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,226enrollment
  • $11,868net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 880-1040SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Feb 15

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1110 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,568enrollment
  • $12,265net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Aug 15

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
J
New York, NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1090 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 15,210enrollment
  • $4,221net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1160SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance30%

California State University San Marcos
C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1040 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 16,255enrollment
  • $12,933net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 1020 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Nov 30

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.