940 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Georgia State and San Francisco State both enroll students right around a 940 SAT. You match more than 1,100 colleges at this score, including hundreds where you have a realistic shot. That's a workable place to begin, even if you still want a higher number later.
How 940 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 28th - higher than about 28% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Near or below 1050 - the typical national score.
- ACT equivalent: ~17 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,174 schools (305 target, 513 reach, 356 safety).
Is a 940 SAT Score Good?
Yes, a 940 SAT is a workable score for a lot of four-year colleges, even though it lands below the national average. You are not locked out of familiar state universities.
Cal State Los Angeles has a middle 50% of 870-1060, so 940 sits inside that band. The University of Memphis (915-1180) and Sam Houston State (930-1120) overlap this score too. Those are realistic targets, not long shots.
Colleges also read your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, so this number is only one piece. Raise it if you can. If you cannot, you still have solid options.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 940 SAT
A 940 already matches a long run of state universities and private colleges. Grand Valley State (940-1190), Cal State Sacramento (930-1130), and Clark Atlanta (880-1120) all line up with this score. Savannah State usually comes in lower, which makes it a likelier backup. You will also see reaches where typical scores sit higher.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
Your 940 is at the low end of Georgia State's middle 50% (940-1180) and inside Kean's (930-1150). Those are good-fit schools for this score.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
San Diego State (1090-1300) and Texas Tech (1090-1280) typically want scores well above 940. You can apply, but they will be harder to get into.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
940 is clearly above the middle 50% at Savannah State (845-980) and Albany State (740-900). Odds look strong in this group, and there are a lot of these schools.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 940 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 940 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 940 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 940?
At 940, retaking the SAT is usually worth it. Even a modest jump can open better-known state universities that sit just above this score. If you still have a test date before you apply, use it.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| Modest gains can unlock better-known state universities | Prep time comes out of classes and activities |
| You may feel more confident submitting scores | Another Saturday test can feel draining |
| Some reaches can become more realistic targets | Score jumps take real practice, not luck |
Focused prep often lifts an SAT score by about 50-100 points. Drill the section that hurt you most, take a couple of official practice tests, and spread the work over several weeks instead of cramming the night before.
Apply with 940 if time is short, or prep now and take the SAT one more time.
940 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 940 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 880 | 16 |
| 900 | 16 |
| 920 | 17 |
| 940 | 17 |
| 960 | 18 |
| 980 | 18 |
| 1000 | 19 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 940 SAT places you in about the 28th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 28% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 940 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 930 and 950
- Browse the equivalent 17 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026