Southern Colleges for a 820 on the SAT

With a 820 SAT, you are competitive at 341 four-year colleges in the South (34 target, 179 reach, 128 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 14 ACT.

Colleges in the South for a 820 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 820 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL	749-967	858	98%	Medium
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	800-1000	900	97%	Medium
Hampton University Hampton, VA	790-1090	940	62%	Medium
Alabama A & M University Normal, AL	810-1040	925	58%	Medium
Columbus State University Columbus, GA	800-1060	930	99%	Medium
South Carolina State University Orangeburg, SC	800-1050	925	83%	Medium
Jackson State University Jackson, MS	820-1070	945	93%	Medium
Bowie State University Bowie, MD	796-1083	939	72%	Medium
Delaware State University Dover, DE	800-1020	910	47%	Medium
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC	780-940	860	34%	Medium
Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY	820-1010	915	96%	Medium
Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS	670-998	834	45%	Medium

View all 34 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average SAT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	980-1200	1090	89%	Low
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA	940-1180	1060	55%	Low
University of North Texas Denton, TX	980-1230	1105	72%	Low
Towson University Towson, MD	950-1235	1092	82%	Low
Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA	880-1120	1000	64%	Low
Morgan State University Baltimore, MD	840-1070	955	82%	Low
University of Memphis Memphis, TN	915-1180	1047	72%	Low
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	930-1120	1025	90%	Low
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA	1010-1270	1140	93%	Low
University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA	950-1140	1045	52%	Low
Virginia State University Petersburg, VA	840-1070	955	89%	Low
Radford University Radford, VA	940-1160	1050	90%	Low

View all 179 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 820; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Savannah State University Savannah, GA	845-980	912	100%	High
Albany State University Albany, GA	740-900	820	100%	High
Valencia College Orlando, FL	-	-	100%	High
Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FL	-	-	100%	High
Miami Dade College Miami, FL	-	-	100%	High
Palm Beach State College Lake Worth, FL	-	-	100%	High
St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC	-	-	100%	High
Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL	-	-	100%	High
St Petersburg College St. Petersburg, FL	-	-	100%	High
The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX	860-1080	970	100%	High
AdventHealth University Orlando, FL	1010-1140	1075	100%	High
Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FL	-	-	100%	High

View all 128 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 820 SAT in the South

See all colleges nationally for a 820 SAT

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.

Published: August 19, 2026