Mid Atlantic Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

With a 980 SAT, you are competitive at 184 four-year colleges in the Mid Atlantic (33 target, 115 reach, 36 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 18 ACT.

Colleges in the Mid Atlantic 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
Kean University Union, NJ	930-1150	1040	76%	Medium
Montclair State University Montclair, NJ	910-1210	1060	88%	Medium
Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park, NY	928-1183	1055	91%	Medium
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice New York, NY	930-1220	1075	57%	Medium
SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NY	980-1240	1110	73%	Medium
CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY	950-1340	1145	58%	Medium
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA	980-1190	1085	71%	Medium
CUNY Lehman College Bronx, NY	850-1150	1000	57%	Medium
College of Staten Island CUNY Staten Island, NY	890-1250	1070	92%	Medium
CUNY Medgar Evers College Brooklyn, NY	850-1020	935	86%	Medium
New Jersey City University Jersey City, NJ	890-1140	1015	98%	Medium
Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PA	900-1090	995	74%	Medium

View all 33 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
University at Albany Albany, NY	1120-1320	1220	69%	Low
CUNY Hunter College New York, NY	1100-1420	1260	54%	Low
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA	1100-1270	1185	78%	Low
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA	1120-1310	1215	91%	Low
CUNY Queens College Queens, NY	1010-1290	1150	64%	Low
Rowan University Glassboro, NJ	1110-1310	1210	78%	Low
The College of New Jersey Ewing, NJ	1140-1340	1240	62%	Low
Iona University New Rochelle, NY	1110-1300	1205	87%	Low
Adelphi University Garden City, NY	1120-1340	1230	66%	Low
CUNY City College New York, NY	1070-1430	1250	60%	Low
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY	1100-1400	1250	48%	Low
Pratt Institute Main Brooklyn, NY	1150-1390	1270	73%	Low

View all 115 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
Bloomfield College of Montclair State University Bloomfield, NJ	770-960	865	70%	High
Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA	820-960	890	66%	High
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Cheyney, PA	-	-	100%	High
Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA	-	-	100%	High
Felician University Lodi, NJ	890-1150	1020	100%	High
St. Francis College Brooklyn, NY	990-1240	1115	100%	High
Empire State University Saratoga Springs, NY	-	-	100%	High
The College of Saint Rose Albany, NY	1001-1228	1114	100%	High
Thomas Edison State University Trenton, NJ	-	-	100%	High
Geneva College Beaver Falls, PA	-	-	100%	High
Boricua College New York, NY	-	-	100%	High
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Philadelphia, PA	-	-	100%	High

View all 36 safety colleges

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

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