Midwestern Colleges for a 1020 on the SAT

With a 1020 SAT, you are competitive at 327 four-year colleges in the Midwest (144 target, 97 reach, 86 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 19 ACT.

Colleges in the Midwest for a 1020 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 1020 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	940-1190	1065	83%	Medium
Illinois State University Normal, IL	990-1210	1100	88%	Medium
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	960-1200	1080	90%	Medium
University of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI	990-1255	1122	56%	Medium
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	990-1220	1105	85%	Medium
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	940-1170	1055	70%	Medium
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	900-1160	1030	87%	Medium
Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH	1010-1240	1125	86%	Medium
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	920-1170	1045	80%	Medium
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH	1000-1210	1105	81%	Medium
Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI	890-1120	1005	91%	Medium
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	750-963	856	43%	Medium

View all 144 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average SAT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Purdue University Main Campus West Lafayette, IN	1200-1480	1340	50%	Low
Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, IN	1170-1400	1285	78%	Low
Iowa State University Ames, IA	1120-1360	1240	89%	Low
University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL	1130-1350	1240	77%	Low
Ball State University Muncie, IN	1080-1260	1170	85%	Low
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	1130-1330	1230	84%	Low
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL	1170-1360	1265	82%	Low
University of Cincinnati Main Campus Cincinnati, OH	1160-1370	1265	85%	Low
DePaul University Chicago, IL	1140-1330	1235	76%	Low
Wayne State University Detroit, MI	1060-1270	1165	81%	Low
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	1103-1310	1206	86%	Low
Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	1030-1230	1130	88%	Low

View all 97 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 1020; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Central State University Wilberforce, OH	770-950	860	99%	High
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	810-1010	910	75%	High
Vincennes University Vincennes, IN	-	-	100%	High
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI	1000-1225	1112	100%	High
Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO	-	-	100%	High
Harris Stowe State University Saint Louis, MO	-	-	100%	High
Columbia College Columbia, MO	-	-	100%	High
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, IN	-	-	100%	High
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OH	-	-	100%	High
Loras College Dubuque, IA	-	-	100%	High
Avila University Kansas City, MO	800-960	880	88%	High
Franklin University Columbus, OH	-	-	100%	High

View all 86 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1020 SAT in the Midwest

See all colleges nationally for a 1020 SAT

1020 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1020 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
960	18
980	18
1000	19
1020	19
1040	20
1060	21
1080	21

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026