Colleges for a 870 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 870 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 870 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 121 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 870 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 870 SAT bad?

A score of 870 isn't very competitive. It situates you in the bottom 18th 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 870 score represents 54% of the total possible points. If a 870 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 870

Let's examine how a 870 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 870 is 197 points (18%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 870 is 184 points (17%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 870 is 242 points (22%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 870 is 64 points (7%) lower than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 870 is 97 points (10%) lower than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 870 is 369 points (30%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 870 is 80 points (8%) lower than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 870 is 57 points (6%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 870 is 246 points (22%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 870 is 190 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 870 SAT score?

A 870 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 870 SAT score?

Scoring a 870 on the SAT places you in the 18th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 18% 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 306,000 students with only 1,394,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 870 Public Private 4 year

121 results nationwide

List of 870 SAT Colleges

Displaying 121 colleges where your 870 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 339 target schools (good chance), 1,602 reach (harder) schools and 1,332 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

SUNY Morrisville
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S
Morrisville, NY
 

SUNY Morrisville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,803enrollment
  • $16,070net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 2.7Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance77%

Compare Calculate my chances 
St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,370enrollment
  • $28,654net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance51%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 870 SAT

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at El Paso
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T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 23,880enrollment
  • $9,563net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT

Applications Due May 1

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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance72%

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 870 SAT
Admission Chance97%

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Coppin State University
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C
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Coppin State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,006enrollment
  • $8,562net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 860-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.62Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Jul 15

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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance16%

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San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus
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S
Calexico, California

San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 808enrollment
  • -net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 850-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance32%

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Sul Ross State University
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S
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,987enrollment
  • $13,130net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance95%

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,725enrollment
  • $22,117net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance82%

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,830enrollment
  • $19,951net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance69%

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,514enrollment
  • $18,779net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance97%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance64%

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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Fisher College
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance68%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 870 a good SAT score?

A score of 870 isn't very competitive. The score puts you in the bottom 18th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 870 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 870 SAT score?

California State University Los Angeles, Alabama State University and Texas Southern University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 870 SAT score.

What percentile is 870 on the SAT?

A 870 ranks in the bottom 18th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 870 SAT?

A 870 converts to a 15 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 15 ACT score.