820 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Hampton University and Texas Southern both enroll students around an 820 SAT, so you already have real options. You are around the 17th percentile, which is below a typical national score, but hundreds of colleges still match this range. Treat 820 as a workable starting point, not a dead end.
How 820 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 827 schools (55 target, 417 reach, 355 safety).
Is a 820 SAT Score Good?
An 820 SAT is a modest score, well below the national average of 1050 (about a 14 on the ACT). It will not get you into highly selective schools, but it is still enough for a real group of four-year colleges.
Jackson State's middle 50% runs about 820-1070, so you sit at the low end of that band. Alabama State (749-967) and Bowie State (796-1083) are realistic targets too. Albany State (740-900) is a more comfortable safety.
Colleges also look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, so a stronger transcript can carry a lot of weight next to this score. A retake can help if you want more breathing room.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 820 SAT
You already line up with several public universities and HBCUs at this score. Hampton (790-1090) and Alabama A&M (810-1040) overlap this range, and Albany State (740-900) is a likelier backup. Bigger publics such as Georgia State are harder to get into because their middle 50% starts well above 820.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
Your 820 falls inside the middle 50% at Texas Southern (800-1000) and Columbus State (800-1060). You have a good shot at those schools if the rest of your application holds up.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Georgia State (940-1180) and the University of North Texas (980-1230) usually look for higher SAT scores, so 820 is below their typical band. You can still apply, but those admits are tougher.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
You sit above the usual SAT range at Albany State (740-900), and colleges like Miami Dade often admit students without a high test score. There are hundreds of safer options at this level, so backups are not hard to find.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 820 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 820 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 820 SAT
View by state:
Should you retake the SAT if you have a 820?
A retake is usually worth it at 820. Even a modest gain can move you off the low end of a school's range and open more state universities. If you still have time before applications, plan another sitting.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| Can move you off the low end of target ranges | Takes time away from grades and activities |
| May open more selective state universities | Another test date and another fee |
Students who prep seriously often pick up about 50-100 SAT points. Work through official practice tests, review the math and reading questions you miss, and give yourself a few weeks of steady study rather than one cram weekend.
You can apply with an 820 if deadlines are close, or spend a month prepping and sit for the test again.
820 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 820 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 760 | 13 |
| 780 | 14 |
| 800 | 14 |
| 820 | 14 |
| 840 | 15 |
| 860 | 15 |
| 880 | 16 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 820 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 820 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 810 and 830
- Browse the equivalent 14 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026