Colleges for a 820 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 820 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 820 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 44 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 820 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 820 SAT bad?

A score of 820 is definitely low. It situates you in the bottom 12th 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 820 score represents 51% of the total possible points. If a 820 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 820

Let's examine how a 820 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 820 is 247 points (23%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 820 is 234 points (22%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 820 is 292 points (26%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 820 is 114 points (12%) lower than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 820 is 147 points (15%) lower than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 820 is 419 points (34%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 820 is 130 points (14%) lower than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 820 is 107 points (12%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 820 is 296 points (27%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 820 is 240 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 820 SAT score?

A 820 on the SAT translates to a 14 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 820 SAT score?

Scoring a 820 on the SAT places you in the 12th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 12% 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 204,000 students with only 1,496,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 820 Public Private 4 year

44 results nationwide

List of 820 SAT Colleges

Displaying 44 colleges where your 820 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 120 target schools (good chance), 1,281 reach (harder) schools and 1,332 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

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 820 SAT
Admission Chance94%

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 820 SAT

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North Carolina Central University
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N
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 820 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fort Valley State University
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F
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 820 SAT
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Jun 15

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South Carolina State University
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S
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 820 SAT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Jul 31

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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 820 SAT
Admission Chance86%

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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 820 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due May 15

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Saint Augustines College
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S
HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

860 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,108enrollment
  • $20,081net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance51%

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

860 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance44%

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

880 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance87%

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Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance49%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Bloomfield College
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B
Bloomfield, NJ

Bloomfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

870 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,153enrollment
  • $20,320net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 770-960SAT range
  • 14-16ACT range
  • 2.69Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Benedict College
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B
HBCU
Columbia, SC
 

Benedict College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,840enrollment
  • $17,845net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 820-1020SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Southern University and A & M College
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S
HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,320enrollment
  • $16,959net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance38%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

890 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,093enrollment
  • $20,045net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance17%

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Virginia Union University
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V
HBCU
Richmond, VA

Virginia Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

900 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,860enrollment
  • $21,057net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 813-990SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.71Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance70%

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Wesley College
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W
Dover, DE

Wesley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 917enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.93Estimated Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT

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Paine College
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P
HBCU
Augusta, GA
 

Paine College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

880 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 310enrollment
  • $15,877net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 776-976SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.81Estimated Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 820 a good SAT score?

A score of 820 is definitely low. The score puts you in the bottom 12th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 820 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 820 SAT score?

Texas Southern University, Albany State University and North Carolina Central University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 820 SAT score.

What percentile is 820 on the SAT?

A 820 ranks in the bottom 12th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 820 SAT?

A 820 converts to a 14 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 14 ACT score.