800 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Hampton University and Texas Southern both enroll students right around an 800 SAT, so you already have recognizable colleges in range. This score is on the lower side nationally, but about 768 schools still match it, including plenty of realistic targets and backups. You're starting from a workable place, not a closed door.
How 800 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 11th - higher than about 11% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Near or below 1050 - the typical national score.
- ACT equivalent: ~14 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 768 schools (37 target, 376 reach, 355 safety).
Is a 800 SAT Score Good?
An 800 SAT is below average, so it is not a high score on its own. It still lines up with schools like Alabama State (middle 50% 749-967) and Bowie State (796-1083), where you have a good shot.
Delaware State (800-1020) and South Carolina State (800-1050) also overlap this range. You land at the low end of Columbus State (800-1060) too, but you are still inside the band.
Colleges look at more than this one number. Your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations can carry a lot of the weight, especially at schools that already admit students around 800.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 800 SAT
Texas Southern (800-1000), Columbus State (800-1060), and Chicago State (750-963) all have middle 50% bands that include an 800. Albany State (740-900) is an easier backup where your score sits toward the top. The groups below sort schools by how they usually compare: tougher admits, good-fit matches, and likely backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
An 800 falls inside the middle 50% at Alabama State (749-967) and Central State (770-950). Those are good-shot schools if the rest of your application is solid.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Georgia State (940-1180) and San Francisco State (930-1130) typically enroll students with higher scores. An 800 can still get a look, but these are tougher admits.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Your 800 is above the usual band at Albany State (740-900), and schools like Valencia College and Miami Dade are even more accessible. This bucket is large - hundreds of backups sit here.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 800 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 800 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 800 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 800?
With an 800 SAT, another sitting is usually worth the effort. A modest gain can move you off the low end of a school's range and unlock better-known publics that sit just out of reach now. If you still have a test date before you apply, use it.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective state universities | Time away from grades and activities |
| A 50-100 point jump widens your targets | Gains are not guaranteed without real prep |
| A higher score can offset a lighter GPA |
Students who prep seriously often gain about 50-100 SAT points. Focus on the section that dragged you down, take timed practice tests, and review every miss. A few weeks of steady work beats last-minute cramming.
You can apply with an 800 if deadlines are close, or spend the next month getting ready for one more test date.
800 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 800 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 740 | 13 |
| 760 | 13 |
| 780 | 14 |
| 800 | 14 |
| 820 | 14 |
| 840 | 15 |
| 860 | 15 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 800 SAT places you in about the 11th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 11% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 800 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 790 and 810
- Browse the equivalent 14 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026