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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change SAT Score

Explore colleges for other SAT scores

-10 +10
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.

Defiance College
Connect Me
D
Defiance, OH
 

Defiance College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

990 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 540enrollment
  • $23,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance49%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilberforce University
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance39%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lewis Clark State College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Aug 8

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rochester College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carlow University
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rust College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oakland City University
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance42%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
York College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance48%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilmington College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ottawa University Ottawa
Connect Me
O
Ottawa, KS
 

Ottawa University Ottawa

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

980 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 953enrollment
  • $26,872net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 860-1100SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances 
King's University
Connect Me
K
Van Nuys, TX
 

King's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 532enrollment
  • $22,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 870-1130SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 870 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Jul 29

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Aug 24

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi University for Women
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tougaloo College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance42%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marian University
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rockford University
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Presentation College
Connect Me
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 870 SAT
Admission Chance66%

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.