California Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

What California colleges accept a 980 SAT score?

These California 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 24 California 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 California 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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24 results

List of 980 SAT Colleges

Displaying 24 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 66 target schools (good chance), 60 reach (harder) schools and 138 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

San Francisco State University
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

California State University Los Angeles
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

California State University Sacramento
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

California State University Chico
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

California State University Fresno
C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1000 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Dec 15

Azusa Pacific University
A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1110 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jun 1

Sonoma State University
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance91%

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Nov 30

University of California Merced
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University San Marcos
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

Humboldt State University
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

California Baptist University
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%

University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance61%

California State University Monterey Bay
C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Jan 15

Mount St. Mary's College
M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance73%

Life Pacific College
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

California State University San Bernardino
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

Vanguard University of Southern California
V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

1090 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 980 SAT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1