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.

Gordon College
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G
Barnesville, GA
 

Gordon College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,135enrollment
  • $8,185net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dallas Christian College
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Virginia State University
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W
HBCU
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,785enrollment
  • $11,684net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 840-1065SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance94%

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CUNY York College
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Y
Jamaica, NY

CUNY York College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#29 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,446enrollment
  • $6,670net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 870-1050SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.15Estimated Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

950 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,776enrollment
  • $22,879net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance79%

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Piedmont International University
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance18%

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Edward Waters College
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance80%

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Gallaudet University
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance54%

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Nyack College
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N
Nyack, NY

Nyack College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#59 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,595enrollment
  • $22,184net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 848-1093SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 2.76Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT

Applications Due Aug 31

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Bethel College Mishawaka
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Livingstone College
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance62%

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Trinity College of Florida
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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 870 SAT
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Jul 31

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Warner University
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W
Lake Wales, FL
 

Warner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 849enrollment
  • $20,431net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance41%

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North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

990 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,337enrollment
  • $18,701net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eureka College
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E
Eureka, IL

Eureka College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 559enrollment
  • $19,443net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1155SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Holy Family University
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H
Philadelphia, PA
 

Holy Family University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#47 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,912enrollment
  • $12,379net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 852-1092SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance66%

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Johnson University Florida
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J
Kissimmee, FL

Johnson University Florida

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 155enrollment
  • $20,191net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 870-1040SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

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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 870 SAT

Applications Due Aug 26

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.