Southern Colleges for a 850 on the SAT

With a 850 SAT, you are competitive at 376 four-year colleges in the South (54 target, 194 reach, 128 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 15 ACT.

Colleges in the South for a 850 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 850 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Morgan State University Baltimore, MD	840-1070	955	82%	Medium
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL	749-967	858	98%	Medium
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	800-1000	900	97%	Medium
Virginia State University Petersburg, VA	840-1070	955	89%	Medium
Hampton University Hampton, VA	790-1090	940	62%	Medium
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	830-1020	925	78%	Medium
Alabama A & M University Normal, AL	810-1040	925	58%	Medium
Columbus State University Columbus, GA	800-1060	930	99%	Medium
Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA	823-1030	926	88%	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

View all 54 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
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA	1030-1270	1150	83%	Low
University of North Texas Denton, TX	980-1230	1105	72%	Low
West Virginia University Morgantown, WV	1010-1220	1115	89%	Low
Towson University Towson, MD	950-1235	1092	82%	Low
Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA	880-1120	1000	64%	Low
University of Memphis Memphis, TN	915-1180	1047	72%	Low
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	1010-1240	1125	80%	Low
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	930-1120	1025	90%	Low
The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	1000-1220	1110	87%	Low
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL	1030-1300	1165	73%	Low

View all 194 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 850; 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 850 SAT in the South

See all colleges nationally for a 850 SAT

850 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 850 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
790	14
810	14
830	15
850	15
870	15
890	16
910	16

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026