1180 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Michigan State and Texas A&M both take plenty of students with an 1180 SAT. You're around the 78th percentile, with about 1,480 colleges in range and roughly 700 where you have a good shot. You're in a good spot.
How 1180 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 74th - higher than about 74% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 1050 - you're above the typical score.
- ACT equivalent: ~24 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,482 schools (700 target, 134 reach, 648 safety).
Is a 1180 SAT Score Good?
Yes, an 1180 SAT is a good score. It beats the national average, lines up with a 24 ACT, and matches the middle 50% at Alabama (1170-1400) and San Diego State (1090-1300).
The University of Florida is a tougher ask. Its middle 50% starts at 1320, so an 1180 is below the usual band and that school stays a reach.
Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, not just this number. Those pieces can help you at the more competitive schools.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1180 SAT
Your score overlaps the middle 50% at the University of Arizona (1150-1420) and the University of Houston (1160-1340), so those feel like comfortable targets. Texas Tech is in a similar band. Clemson (1240-1410) and Penn State (1240-1420) usually want higher scores, so they will be reaches. The tables below group schools by whether they are harder to get into, a good fit, or a likely backup.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
An 1180 is inside or near the middle 50% at Arizona State (1100-1320) and Kentucky (1070-1290). You have a good shot at this group.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Florida State (1270-1410) and Virginia Tech (1280-1450) usually look for SAT scores above 1180. You can still apply, but they are tougher to get into.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Your 1180 is clearly above the middle 50% at San Francisco State (930-1130) and Georgia Southern (986-1133). Odds look strong here, and you have hundreds of these options.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 1180 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 1180 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 1180 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1180?
An 1180 already opens a wide set of colleges, so another test is optional. It is most useful if you want a better shot at more selective publics like UF, UT Austin, or UCLA. If your target schools already feel right, you can stick with this score.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective publics | Time away from grades and activities |
| Could help at reaches like Clemson | Score gains are not guaranteed |
| Lets you recover from a rough test day | Another weekend spent testing |
Serious prep often adds about 50-100 points on the SAT. Take official practice tests, review what you miss, and study a little each week instead of cramming.
Apply with this 1180 if your targets already look like a good fit, or study for one more date if you want those selective reaches.
1180 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1180 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1120 | 21 |
| 1140 | 23 |
| 1160 | 24 |
| 1180 | 24 |
| 1200 | 25 |
| 1220 | 25 |
| 1240 | 26 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1180 SAT places you in about the 74th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 74% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 1180 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 1170 and 1190
- Browse the equivalent 24 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026