810 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Hampton and Texas Southern both enroll students around an 810 SAT, so this score is a starting point, not a stop sign. You are around the 16th percentile, and you still have about 800 colleges in range. That's a lot of doors still open.
How 810 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 803 schools (46 target, 402 reach, 355 safety).
Is a 810 SAT Score Good?
Alabama State University's middle 50% runs about 749-967, so an 810 is toward the high end of that band. Alabama A&M (810-1040) and Bowie State (796-1083) also line up as targets.
That does not make an 810 SAT a high score. It is still below the 1050 national average, and many better-known publics will want more. Think of it as a workable number at the right schools.
Your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations still carry a lot of weight. Those pieces can matter as much as the SAT at colleges in this range.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 810 SAT
Look at Delaware State, Columbus State, and South Carolina State first if you want schools where an 810 already overlaps the middle 50%. Albany State is an easier backup, with a 740-900 band that you clear more comfortably. Bigger publics like Georgia State run higher, so that one is tougher to get into.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
At Central State (770-950) and Chicago State (750-963), an 810 lands in the upper half of the middle 50%. You have a good shot at schools like these when your grades hold up.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Morgan State (840-1070) and Clark Atlanta (880-1120) usually post higher SAT bands, so an 810 is below their typical middle 50%. You can still apply, but they are tougher to get into.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
You have hundreds of safer options with an 810. Albany State (740-900) is one four-year example, and Miami Dade College or Valencia College are even more accessible. Odds look strong when your score is clearly above a school's usual range.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 810 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 810 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 810 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 810?
With an 810, planning a retake is usually smart. A gain of 50 to 100 points can move you off the low end of a school's range and add more familiar publics to your options. If applications are not due yet, another test date is worth the effort.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective targets | Time away from grades and activities |
| Modest gains expand your college options | Gains need real prep, not luck |
| Can lift you above a school's low end | Another test fee and a long Saturday |
Focused prep often yields about 50-100 SAT points. Drill the weaker section, take timed practice tests, and review every miss. Steady work over a few weeks beats a last-minute cram.
Apply with the 810 you have, or put in a month of prep and try once more.
810 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 810 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 750 | 13 |
| 770 | 13 |
| 790 | 14 |
| 810 | 14 |
| 830 | 15 |
| 850 | 15 |
| 870 | 15 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 810 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 810 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 800 and 820
- Browse the equivalent 14 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026