Colleges for a 850 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 850 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 850 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 92 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 850 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 850 SAT bad?

A score of 850 isn't very competitive. It situates you in the bottom 15th 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 850 score represents 53% of the total possible points. If a 850 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 850

Let's examine how a 850 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 850 is 217 points (20%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 850 is 204 points (19%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 850 is 262 points (24%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 850 is 84 points (9%) lower than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 850 is 117 points (12%) lower than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 850 is 389 points (31%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 850 is 100 points (11%) lower than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 850 is 77 points (8%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 850 is 266 points (24%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 850 is 210 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 850 SAT score?

A 850 on the SAT translates to a 15 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 850 SAT score?

Scoring a 850 on the SAT places you in the 15th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 15% 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 255,000 students with only 1,445,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 850 Public Private 4 year

92 results nationwide

List of 850 SAT Colleges

Displaying 92 colleges where your 850 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 258 target schools (good chance), 1,458 reach (harder) schools and 1,332 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

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 850 SAT
Admission Chance48%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 850 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Huston Tillotson University
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H
HBCU
Austin, TX

Huston Tillotson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 840-1000SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.92Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance38%

Applications Due May 1

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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance54%

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 850 SAT
Admission Chance76%

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 850 SAT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 850 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $12,020net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Jun 30

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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance20%

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Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,058enrollment
  • $15,796net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 840-990SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance29%

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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance75%

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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 850 SAT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Youngstown State University
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Y
Youngstown, OH

Youngstown State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 11,071enrollment
  • $11,900net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 830-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Life University
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L
Marietta, GA

Life University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,753enrollment
  • $28,226net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 830-1117SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance97%

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,015enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • 13-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance14%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 850 a good SAT score?

A score of 850 isn't very competitive. The score puts you in the bottom 15th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 850 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 850 SAT score?

Alabama State University, Texas Southern University and Virginia State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 850 SAT score.

What percentile is 850 on the SAT?

A 850 ranks in the bottom 15th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 850 SAT?

A 850 converts to a 15 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 15 ACT score.