California Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

With a 980 SAT, you are competitive at 76 four-year colleges in California (24 target, 16 reach, 36 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 18 ACT.

Colleges in California for a 980 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 980 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA	930-1130	1030	96%	Medium
California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA	870-1060	965	91%	Medium
California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA	930-1130	1030	94%	Medium
California State University Chico Chico, CA	970-1170	1070	93%	Medium
California State University Fresno Fresno, CA	890-1100	995	95%	Medium
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA	950-1150	1050	93%	Medium
California State University Northridge Northridge, CA	900-1110	1005	93%	Medium
University of California Merced Merced, CA	960-1140	1050	91%	Medium
California State University San Marcos San Marcos, CA	950-1130	1040	95%	Medium
California State Polytechnic University Humboldt Arcata, CA	970-1190	1080	98%	Medium
California Baptist University Riverside, CA	960-1150	1055	85%	Medium
California State University Monterey Bay Seaside, CA	960-1160	1060	97%	Medium

View all 24 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
San Diego State University San Diego, CA	1090-1300	1195	36%	Low
University of California Davis Davis, CA	1160-1400	1280	42%	Low
San Jose State University San Jose, CA	1010-1240	1125	85%	Low
California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA	1020-1240	1130	46%	Low
California State University Fullerton Fullerton, CA	1000-1180	1090	91%	Low
University of California Riverside Riverside, CA	1080-1280	1180	76%	Low
Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA	983-1238	1110	88%	Low
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA	1183-1480	1331	71%	Low
California State Polytechnic University Pomona Pomona, CA	1010-1250	1130	75%	Low
University of Redlands Redlands, CA	1107-1350	1228	83%	Low
University of La Verne La Verne, CA	986-1236	1111	71%	Low
Whittier College Whittier, CA	1140-1340	1240	81%	Low

View all 16 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 980; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, CA	-	-	100%	High
Bethesda University Anaheim, CA	-	-	100%	High
Touro University Worldwide Los Alamitos, CA	-	-	100%	High
American Jewish University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Pacific States University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Los Angeles Pacific University San Dimas, CA	-	-	100%	High
Lincoln University Oakland, CA	-	-	100%	High
Providence Christian College Pasadena, CA	-	-	100%	High
University of the West Rosemead, CA	-	-	100%	High
California College of ASU Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Horizon University Indianapolis, CA	-	-	100%	High
World Mission University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High

View all 36 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 980 SAT in California

See all colleges nationally for a 980 SAT

980 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 980 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
920	17
940	17
960	18
980	18
1000	19
1020	19
1040	20

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

Published: August 19, 2026