Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 980 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 980 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 457 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 980 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 980 SAT bad?

You can probably do better than a score of 980. It situates you in the bottom 36th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your below average 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 980 score represents 61% of the total possible points. If a 980 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 980

Let's examine how a 980 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 980 is 87 points (8%) lower than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 980 is 74 points (7%) lower than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 980 is 132 points (12%) lower than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 980 is 46 points (5%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 980 is 13 points (1%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 980 is 259 points (21%) lower than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 980 is 30 points (3%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 980 is 53 points (6%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 980 is 136 points (12%) lower than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 980 is 80 points lower than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 980 SAT score?

A 980 on the SAT translates to a 18 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 980 SAT score?

Scoring a 980 on the SAT places you in the 36th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 36% 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 612,000 students with only 1,088,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 980 Public Private 4 year

457 results nationwide

List of 980 SAT Colleges

Displaying 457 colleges where your 980 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 1,314 target schools (good chance), 1,509 reach (harder) schools and 1,350 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,107enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Apr 30

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Georgia Gwinnett College
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G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due May 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

 

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Apr 15

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Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance85%

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Alabama A & M University
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A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance74%

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Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance69%

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Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,479enrollment
  • $12,902net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jun 30

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Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Jul 31

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California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance71%

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 16,803enrollment
  • $11,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance99%

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 7,305enrollment
  • $20,832net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 910-1133SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern Michigan University
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E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,018enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance77%

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Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 14,156enrollment
  • $13,187net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 980 a good SAT score?

You can probably do better than a score of 980. The score puts you in the bottom 36th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 980 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 980 SAT score?

Texas State University, San Francisco State University and Grand Valley State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 980 SAT score.

What percentile is 980 on the SAT?

A 980 ranks in the bottom 36th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 980 SAT?

A 980 converts to a 18 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 18 ACT score.