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 1,356 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Grand Valley State University
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G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 21,648enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due May 1

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,460enrollment
  • $5,801net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Jan 19

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,818enrollment
  • $11,596net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Clark Atlanta University
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C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,000enrollment
  • $30,015net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Apr 1

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Morgan State University
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M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Apr 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Southern University
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G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 25,481enrollment
  • $15,352net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1080 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Jul 31

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North Carolina A & T State University
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N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

910 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1070 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Central Michigan University
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C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1100 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,557enrollment
  • $15,605net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of West Georgia
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W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1030 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,884enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due May 1

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.