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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change SAT Score

Explore colleges for other SAT scores

-10 +10
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.

Fisher College
Connect Me
F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $26,257net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dallas Christian College
Connect Me
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Christian College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 247enrollment
  • $22,631net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 793-1077SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance37%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Piedmont International University
Connect Me
P
Winston Salem, NC
 

Piedmont International University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 691enrollment
  • $15,119net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 770-1230SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.07Estimated Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance16%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Edward Waters College
Connect Me
E
HBCU
Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $13,649net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 820-990SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.64Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance73%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gallaudet University
Connect Me
G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

 

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance50%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bethel College Mishawaka
Connect Me
B
Mishawaka, IN
 

Bethel College Mishawaka

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

860 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,292enrollment
  • $18,746net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 800-920SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Livingstone College
Connect Me
L
HBCU
Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

880 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 839enrollment
  • $15,914net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 800-960SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 2.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance52%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Trinity College of Florida
Connect Me
T
Trinity, FL
 

Trinity College of Florida

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 181enrollment
  • $14,645net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 780-1150SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance48%

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wright State University Lake Campus
Connect Me
W
Celina, OH
 

Wright State University Lake Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

840 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 1,294enrollment
  • $11,585net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 790-890SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT

Applications Due Aug 26

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rust College
Connect Me
R
HBCU
Holly Springs, MS

Rust College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

890 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 755enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 440-1339SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 2.66Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance77%

Compare Calculate my chances 
York College
Connect Me
Y
York, NE
 

York College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 626enrollment
  • $17,835net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 800-1125SAT range
  • 14-27ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Connect Me
A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $9,959net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 805-1045SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance56%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tougaloo College
Connect Me
T
HBCU
Tougaloo, MS
 

Tougaloo College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 677enrollment
  • $13,718net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 790-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance37%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marian University
Connect Me
M
Fond Du Lac, WI
 

Marian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 1,340enrollment
  • $25,394net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 800-1080SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance60%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fairmont State University
Connect Me
F
Fairmont, WV

Fairmont State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,498enrollment
  • $10,794net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Villa Maria College
Connect Me
V
Buffalo, NY
 

Villa Maria College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

890 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 465enrollment
  • $14,576net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 730-1050SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance73%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount Marty College
Connect Me
M
Yankton, SD
 

Mount Marty College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in South Dakota

  • 1,252enrollment
  • $21,476net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 810-1050SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Greenville University
Connect Me
G
Greenville, IL

Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,088enrollment
  • $20,718net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 809-1209SAT range
  • 15-28ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 820 SAT
Admission Chance90%

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.