Midwestern Colleges for a 870 on the SAT

With a 870 SAT, you are competitive at 248 four-year colleges in the Midwest (29 target, 137 reach, 82 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 15 ACT.

Colleges in the Midwest for a 870 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 870 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Central State University Wilberforce, OH	770-950	860	99%	Medium
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	750-963	856	43%	Medium
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	810-1010	910	75%	Medium
Millikin University Decatur, IL	860-1130	995	67%	Medium
University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN	870-1070	970	96%	Medium
Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO	850-1030	940	74%	Medium
St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN	850-1140	995	92%	Medium
Eureka College Eureka, IL	870-1155	1012	85%	Medium
Avila University Kansas City, MO	800-960	880	88%	Medium
Siena Heights University Adrian, MI	806-1073	939	69%	Medium
Defiance College Defiance, OH	860-1110	985	48%	Medium
Wilberforce University Wilberforce, OH	840-940	890	41%	Medium

View all 29 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
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	940-1190	1065	83%	Low
Illinois State University Normal, IL	990-1210	1100	88%	Low
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	960-1200	1080	90%	Low
University of Michigan Dearborn Dearborn, MI	990-1255	1122	56%	Low
Oakland University Rochester Hills, MI	1030-1230	1130	88%	Low
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	990-1220	1105	85%	Low
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	940-1170	1055	70%	Low
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	900-1160	1030	87%	Low
Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH	1010-1240	1125	86%	Low
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	920-1170	1045	80%	Low
Bowling Green State University Main Campus Bowling Green, OH	1000-1210	1105	81%	Low
Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN	1025-1260	1142	95%	Low

View all 137 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 870; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Vincennes University Vincennes, IN	-	-	100%	High
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI	1000-1225	1112	100%	High
Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO	-	-	100%	High
Harris Stowe State University Saint Louis, MO	-	-	100%	High
Columbia College Columbia, MO	-	-	100%	High
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, IN	-	-	100%	High
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OH	-	-	100%	High
Loras College Dubuque, IA	-	-	100%	High
Franklin University Columbus, OH	-	-	100%	High
Wright State University Lake Campus Celina, OH	790-890	840	100%	High
Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI	-	-	100%	High
Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO	-	-	100%	High

View all 82 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 870 SAT in the Midwest

See all colleges nationally for a 870 SAT

870 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 870 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
810	14
830	15
850	15
870	15
890	16
910	16
930	17

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

Published: August 19, 2026