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.

Wright State University Lake Campus
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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 850 SAT

Applications Due Aug 26

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Wilberforce University
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W
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH
 

Wilberforce University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

890 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 656enrollment
  • $14,070net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 840-940SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.82Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Lewis Clark State College
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L
Lewiston, ID
 

Lewis Clark State College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Idaho

  • 3,746enrollment
  • $11,476net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 850-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 8

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Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $18,665net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance58%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carlow University
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C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carlow University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#52 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,104enrollment
  • $17,437net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance87%

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Rust College
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oakland City University
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O
Oakland City, IN
 

Oakland City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 880enrollment
  • $17,103net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 850-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Aug 1

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York College
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance46%

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Wilmington College
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W
Wilmington, OH
 

Wilmington College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $24,528net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 850-1010SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance60%

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Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,106enrollment
  • $8,702net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance18%

Applications Due Aug 24

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Mississippi University for Women
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M
Columbus, MS

Mississippi University for Women

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,339enrollment
  • $12,691net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 850-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance98%

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Tougaloo College
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance40%

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Marian University
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance63%

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $25,047net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 840-1086SAT range
  • 12-20ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance40%

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Presentation College
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P
Aberdeen, SD
 

Presentation College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

990 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 615enrollment
  • $27,553net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 840-1130SAT range
  • 19-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance64%

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William Penn University
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W
Oskaloosa, IA
 

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $20,922net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance42%

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Fairmont State University
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance97%

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.