960 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Georgia State and San Francisco State both enroll plenty of students around a 960 SAT. You're around the 40th percentile, and more than 1,200 colleges still match this score. That's a real set of options, even if you decide to test again later.
How 960 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 34th - higher than about 34% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Near or below 1050 - the typical national score.
- ACT equivalent: ~18 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,218 schools (372 target, 488 reach, 358 safety).
Is a 960 SAT Score Good?
A 960 SAT is a workable score. It lands below the national average of 1050, but plenty of four-year colleges still admit students in this range.
Towson University's middle 50% runs about 950-1235, so you are near the low end there. Clark Atlanta (880-1120) and the University of Memphis (915-1180) overlap a 960 more comfortably.
Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations. The SAT is one piece of your file, not the whole story.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 960 SAT
Cal State Sacramento (930-1130) and Sam Houston State (930-1120) both overlap this score, and Morgan State (840-1070) does too. Texas State (980-1200) runs a little higher, so that one is tougher. The tables below sort schools by how realistic they look at 960.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
Grand Valley State (940-1190) and Cal State Los Angeles (870-1060) both line up with a 960. You're inside or near those middle 50% ranges, so you have a good shot.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Arizona State (1100-1320) and San Diego State (1090-1300) usually look for scores well above 960. You can still apply, but those are longer shots at this number.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
A 960 is above the usual SAT band at Albany State (740-900) and Central State (770-950). This group is large, and your odds at these schools look strong.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 960 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 960 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 960 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 960?
With a 960, another SAT date is often worth it. Even a modest bump can move you off the low end of a school's range and add more comfortable targets. If you still have time before you apply, a retake is a smart use of that window.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective public universities | Time away from grades and activities |
| Moves you off the low end of target ranges | Another test date can add stress |
Focused prep often yields about 50-100 SAT points. Drill the section that hurt you most, take timed practice tests, and review every miss instead of only logging hours.
Apply with the 960 you have, or put in a few weeks of prep and retake it.
960 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 960 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 900 | 16 |
| 920 | 17 |
| 940 | 17 |
| 960 | 18 |
| 980 | 18 |
| 1000 | 19 |
| 1020 | 19 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 960 SAT places you in about the 34th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 34% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 960 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 950 and 970
- Browse the equivalent 18 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026