Western Colleges for a 980 on the SAT

With a 980 SAT, you are competitive at 176 four-year colleges in the West (44 target, 53 reach, 79 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 18 ACT.

Colleges in the West 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
University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO	950-1190	1070	86%	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
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO	980-1220	1100	75%	Medium
California State Polytechnic University Humboldt Arcata, CA	970-1190	1080	98%	Medium

View all 44 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 Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HI	1081-1293	1187	87%	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
Colorado State University Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO	1080-1290	1185	89%	Low
Washington State University Pullman, WA	1020-1210	1115	87%	Low
University of Oregon Eugene, OR	1130-1360	1245	88%	Low
Oregon State University Corvallis, OR	1140-1400	1270	77%	Low
Boise State University Boise, ID	1030-1210	1120	87%	Low
California State University Fullerton Fullerton, CA	1000-1180	1090	91%	Low
University of California Riverside Riverside, CA	1080-1280	1180	76%	Low

View all 53 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
Utah Valley University Orem, UT	-	-	100%	High
Adams State University Alamosa, CO	910-1130	1020	100%	High
Bellevue College Bellevue, WA	-	-	100%	High
Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, CA	-	-	100%	High
College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV	-	-	100%	High
Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO	1163-1353	1258	100%	High
Weber State University Ogden, UT	-	-	100%	High
Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO	-	-	100%	High
University of Hawaii Maui College Kahului, HI	-	-	100%	High
Idaho State University Pocatello, ID	-	-	100%	High
Naropa University Boulder, CO	-	-	100%	High
Walla Walla University College Place, WA	-	-	100%	High

View all 79 safety colleges

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

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