Southern Colleges for a 970 on the SAT

With a 970 SAT, you are competitive at 477 four-year colleges in the South (189 target, 156 reach, 132 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 18 ACT.

Colleges in the South for a 970 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 970 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA	940-1180	1060	55%	Medium
Towson University Towson, MD	950-1235	1092	82%	Medium
Clark Atlanta University Atlanta, GA	880-1120	1000	64%	Medium
Morgan State University Baltimore, MD	840-1070	955	82%	Medium
University of Memphis Memphis, TN	915-1180	1047	72%	Medium
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	930-1120	1025	90%	Medium
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	800-1000	900	97%	Medium
University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA	950-1140	1045	52%	Medium
Virginia State University Petersburg, VA	840-1070	955	89%	Medium
Hampton University Hampton, VA	790-1090	940	62%	Medium
Radford University Radford, VA	940-1160	1050	90%	Medium
Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX	970-1170	1070	94%	Medium

View all 189 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
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ	1100-1320	1210	90%	Low
University of Kentucky Lexington, KY	1070-1290	1180	93%	Low
Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX	1150-1400	1275	57%	Low
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	1070-1240	1155	89%	Low
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	1150-1420	1285	86%	Low
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	980-1200	1090	89%	Low
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	1090-1280	1185	73%	Low
The University of Tampa Tampa, FL	1070-1240	1155	40%	Low
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL	1040-1200	1120	66%	Low
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA	1030-1270	1150	83%	Low
Florida Gulf Coast University Fort Myers, FL	1040-1200	1120	63%	Low
University of North Texas Denton, TX	980-1230	1105	72%	Low

View all 156 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 970; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Alabama State University Montgomery, AL	749-967	858	98%	High
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
Virginia Union University Richmond, VA	850-885	867	98%	High
The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX	860-1080	970	100%	High

View all 132 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 970 SAT in the South

See all colleges nationally for a 970 SAT

970 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 970 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
910	16
930	17
950	17
970	18
990	19
1010	19
1030	20

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

Published: August 19, 2026