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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change SAT Score

Explore colleges for other SAT scores

-10 +10
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.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marymount University
Connect Me
M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida College
Connect Me
F
Temple Terrace, FL
 

Florida College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 622enrollment
  • $21,360net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance63%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern University and A & M College
Connect Me
S
HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,320enrollment
  • $16,959net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Connect Me
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 2,518enrollment
  • $12,020net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 840-1010SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Life Pacific College
Connect Me
L
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 500enrollment
  • $22,395net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1085SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Belmont Abbey College
Connect Me
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $23,522net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Webber International University
Connect Me
W
Babson Park, FL
 

Webber International University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,133enrollment
  • $27,995net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 853-1060SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.98Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Westfield State University
Connect Me
W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,702enrollment
  • $18,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wichita State University
Connect Me
W
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Kansas

  • 16,216enrollment
  • $13,553net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 953-1260SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
S
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

 

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,221enrollment
  • $17,873net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance63%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M University Kingsville
Connect Me
T
Kingsville, TX

Texas A & M University Kingsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 6,092enrollment
  • $11,347net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Elizabeth City State University
Connect Me
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jun 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Bernardino
Connect Me
C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Aurora University
Connect Me
A
Aurora, IL

Aurora University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,918enrollment
  • $19,350net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1198SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lander University
Connect Me
L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,167enrollment
  • $15,524net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance56%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Indianapolis
Connect Me
I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,018enrollment
  • $22,283net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johnson C Smith University
Connect Me
J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

890 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,093enrollment
  • $20,045net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance39%

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.