Colleges for a Low SAT Score

Getting into college with a low SAT score.

College admission test taking is stressful. Not everyone rocks their SAT test. A low score doesn't mean you can't get into college. We've prepared a list of all selective admission, four year colleges which are likely to accept students who scored in the lower fifty percentile on the SAT. Based on school admission history, an applicant with a lower than average SAT has a good chance to get into these 341 schools. Schools are listed in order from low SAT score to highest.
Low SAT Public Private 4 year

341 results nationwide

Northern Illinois University
Connect Me
N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Valdosta State University
Connect Me
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Northridge
Connect Me
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1010 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tarleton State University
Connect Me
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Merced
Connect Me
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1050 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Prairie View A & M University
Connect Me
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

960 Average SAT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
Connect Me
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

970 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Winston Salem State University
Connect Me
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Marcos
Connect Me
C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Connect Me
S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,107enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Gwinnett College
Connect Me
G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA

Applications Due May 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alabama A & M University
Connect Me
A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Columbus State University
Connect Me
C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1020 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,479enrollment
  • $12,902net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Norfolk State University
Connect Me
N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

940 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fort Valley State University
Connect Me
F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

880 Average SAT Score

 

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
South Carolina State University
Connect Me
S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

930 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
California Baptist University
Connect Me
C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1060 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Woman's University
Connect Me
T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1040 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA

Compare Calculate my chances