Southern Colleges for a 1020 on the SAT

With a 1020 SAT, you are competitive at 516 four-year colleges in the South (246 target, 128 reach, 142 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 19 ACT.

Colleges in the South 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
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	980-1200	1090	89%	Medium
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA	940-1180	1060	55%	Medium
University of North Texas Denton, TX	980-1230	1105	72%	Medium
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	1010-1220	1115	89%	Medium
Towson University Towson, MD	950-1235	1092	82%	Medium
Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA	880-1120	1000	64%	Medium
Morgan State University Baltimore, MD	840-1070	955	82%	Medium
Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA	986-1133	1059	88%	Medium
University of Memphis Memphis, TN	915-1180	1047	72%	Medium
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	1010-1240	1125	80%	Medium
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	1020-1190	1105	50%	Medium
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	930-1120	1025	90%	Medium

View all 246 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
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ	1100-1320	1210	90%	Low
The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL	1170-1400	1285	77%	Low
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	1070-1290	1180	93%	Low
Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX	1150-1400	1275	57%	Low
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	1070-1240	1155	89%	Low
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	1150-1420	1285	86%	Low
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	1090-1280	1185	73%	Low
University of Houston Houston, TX	1160-1340	1250	74%	Low
The University of Tampa Tampa, FL	1070-1240	1155	40%	Low
Appalachian State University Boone, NC	1120-1280	1200	90%	Low
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	1040-1200	1120	66%	Low
George Mason University Fairfax, VA	1160-1360	1260	87%	Low

View all 128 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
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL	749-967	858	98%	High
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	800-1000	900	97%	High
Savannah State University Savannah, GA	845-980	912	100%	High
Albany State University Albany, GA	740-900	820	100%	High
Valencia College Orlando, FL	-	-	100%	High
Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FL	-	-	100%	High
Miami Dade College Miami, FL	-	-	100%	High
Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL	-	-	100%	High
Bethune Cookman University Daytona Beach, FL	830-990	910	88%	High
Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY	820-1010	915	96%	High
Benedict College Columbia, SC	820-1010	915	96%	High
University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD	840-1010	925	96%	High

View all 142 safety colleges

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

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