1080 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
University of Kentucky and Texas State both overlap a 1080 SAT, and more than 1,400 colleges nationwide sit in a similar range. That's a workable starting point around the 63rd percentile, not a dead end. You already have hundreds of realistic targets and plenty of safer backups.
How 1080 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 55th - higher than about 55% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 1050 - you're above the typical score.
- ACT equivalent: ~21 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,409 schools (704 target, 288 reach, 417 safety).
Is a 1080 SAT Score Good?
Yes, a 1080 SAT is a decent score with plenty of familiar public universities in range. Georgia State typically looks at 940 to 1180, and Cal State Long Beach runs about 1020 to 1240, so you land inside both bands.
Washington State lines up well with this score, and Colorado State Fort Collins has you at the low end of its middle 50%. Bigger-name publics like Arizona State or Michigan State usually want higher numbers, so treat those as tougher reaches.
Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, not just the test. A 1080 will not carry a weak transcript, but a strong one can make this score work at a lot of schools.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1080 SAT
Florida Atlantic and San Jose State put a 1080 comfortably in range, and East Carolina includes it at the low end of its middle 50%. Cal State Los Angeles sits well below this score and makes a comfortable backup, while San Diego State usually asks for more. The tables sort those matches into good-fit schools, harder ones, and likely backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
The University of Tampa and Texas State both enroll plenty of students around a 1080. Your score is inside or near their middle 50%, so these are good-shot options.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Michigan State and The University of Alabama usually look for scores starting in the high 1100s. A 1080 is below those middle 50% bands, so admission is possible but tougher.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
More than 400 colleges fall in the safety group for a 1080, which is a lot of breathing room. Morgan State and Texas Southern both post middle 50% ranges well under this score, so your odds look strong.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 1080 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 1080 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 1080 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1080?
With a 1080, a retake is often worth the effort. Even a modest gain can move you off the low end of a school's range and open stronger public-university targets. If you already like the colleges in your target and safety groups, you can stand pat.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| Can move you up at more selective publics | Takes time from grades and activities |
| Turns some reaches into more realistic targets | Score may not jump without real practice |
With focused prep, students often gain about 50 to 100 SAT points. Drill your weaker section, take full timed practice tests, and review every miss. Steady work over a few weeks beats a last-minute cram.
Apply with your 1080 if these colleges already feel right, or set aside time to retake if you want a higher score.
1080 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1080 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1020 | 19 |
| 1040 | 20 |
| 1060 | 21 |
| 1080 | 21 |
| 1100 | 21 |
| 1120 | 21 |
| 1140 | 23 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1080 SAT places you in about the 55th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 55% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 1080 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 1070 and 1090
- Browse the equivalent 21 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026