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.

Iowa Wesleyan College
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I
Mount Pleasant, IA

Iowa Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

920 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 871enrollment
  • $20,074net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 830-1010SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Villa Maria College
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance75%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lourdes University
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L
Sylvania, OH
 

Lourdes University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#29 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,136enrollment
  • $22,634net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance44%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwestern Oklahoma State University
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N
Alva, OK
 

Northwestern Oklahoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 1,852enrollment
  • $10,448net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 830-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount Marty College
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance58%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College
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H
Moore, OK
 

Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 281enrollment
  • $20,952net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 846-1033SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance29%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Greenville University
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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 850 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern State University
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N
Aberdeen, SD
 

Northern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in South Dakota

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $17,264net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 800-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mid Atlantic Christian University
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M
Elizabeth City, NC
 

Mid Atlantic Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 133enrollment
  • $22,120net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 760-1160SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Visible Music College
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V
Memphis, TN
 

Visible Music College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 230enrollment
  • $23,636net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 605-1250SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance18%

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Alice Lloyd College
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A
Pippa Passes, KY

Alice Lloyd College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 565enrollment
  • $16,596net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 760-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance97%

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Kentucky Christian University
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K
Grayson, KY
 

Kentucky Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

870 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 629enrollment
  • $22,682net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 850-890SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance29%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mercy College of Ohio
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M
Toledo, OH
 

Mercy College of Ohio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,261enrollment
  • $14,564net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 780-1030SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance39%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Central Baptist College
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C
Conway, AR
 

Central Baptist College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 564enrollment
  • $18,128net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 841-1083SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Methodist College of Nursing
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M
Peoria, IL
 

Methodist College of Nursing

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 456enrollment
  • $35,578net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 800-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance24%

Applications Due Jul 23

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Tabor College
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T
Hillsboro, KS

Tabor College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 637enrollment
  • $21,080net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 830-1100SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance39%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Boise Bible College
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B
Boise, ID

Boise Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Idaho

  • 96enrollment
  • $18,198net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 810-1110SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Mid Continent University
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M
Mayfield, Kentucky
 

Mid Continent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 2,474enrollment
  • $27,622net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 830-1080SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA
Your 850 SAT
Admission Chance80%

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.