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    Is a 1000 SAT score good?

    A 1000 SAT is about average. It's at the 47th percentile of recent SAT takers and at the 48th percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, by College Board's percentiles. Whether it's good for you depends on your colleges: it's inside or above the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen at 323 of the 925 colleges we track with published SAT ranges.

    Updated

    percentile of recent SAT takers
    47th
    percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders
    48th
    colleges where it's in or above the middle 50%
    323 of 925
    ACT equivalent
    19

    Percentiles: College Board, SAT Nationally Representative and User Percentiles. User group percentiles count students who graduated in the past three school years; nationally representative ones are weighted to stand for all U.S. 11th and 12th graders. Checked October 31, 2026. ACT equivalent: ACT and College Board concordance (2018).

    Key takeaways

    • A 1000 is 10 to 30 points below the 25th percentile at Kennesaw State, UTSA, Arkansas, UNLV, UIC and Temple. A 1050 is inside all six ranges.
    • A range rests on the students who sent scores: 92% of FIU's Fall 2025 first-years sent an SAT, and 10% of UNLV's.
    • The University of Dallas's automatic award starts at 1000 or a 3.00 GPA, whichever is higher for you, and pays $28,000 a year.

    How a 1000 compares across colleges

    Where 1000 falls against the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen who sent scores, at public and at private colleges.

    Where a 1000 falls in colleges' middle 50% SAT ranges
    Where a 1000 fallsPublic (378)Private (547)
    Above the 75th percentile45
    Inside the middle 50%173141
    Below the 25th percentile201401
    Colleges we track with a published SAT range: each college's Common Data Set, or the federal College Scorecard where it has none.

    Large public universities where a 1000 is in range

    The largest public universities where 1000 is inside the middle 50%. Each range links to its source and each policy to the college's admissions page. "Sent an SAT" is the share of enrolled first-years the range describes.

    Large public universities where a 1000 is in range
    CollegeMiddle 50% SAT2026-27 test policySent an SAT
    Texas State University990-1200Varies by applicant41%
    University of North Texas960-1210Optional40%
    Georgia Southern University980-1140Required35%
    University of Mississippi990-1175Optional27%
    The University of Texas at El Paso850-1050Flexible2%
    Kent State University at Kent990-1230Optional16%
    Illinois State University1000-1210Optional45%
    Grand Valley State University920-1170Optional54%
    Montclair State University850-1160Optional10%
    Sam Houston State University930-1120Optional45%
    Sources: each college's Common Data Set (or College Scorecard) and admissions page, linked in the table.

    Selective private colleges where a 1000 is in range

    The private colleges with the highest middle 50% that still includes 1000, most selective first.

    Selective private colleges where a 1000 is in range
    CollegeMiddle 50% SAT2026-27 test policySent an SAT
    Regent University1000-1220Optional11%
    Randolph-Macon College990-1215Optional26%
    Quincy University1000-1200Optional35%
    McPherson College968-1173Varies by applicant10%
    Stetson University945-1190Optional33%
    Xavier University of Louisiana950-1150Optional36%
    Saint Ambrose University900-1170Optional12%
    Aquinas College920-1130Optional44%
    Capital University900-1120Optional12%
    Aurora University875-1078Optional8%
    Sources: each college's Common Data Set (or College Scorecard) and admissions page, linked in the table.

    Where does a 1000 fall short?

    A 1000 is 10 to 30 points below the 25th percentile at Kennesaw State (1010), UTSA (1010), the University of Arkansas (1020), UNLV (1030), UIC (1030) and Temple (1030). It is further from the ranges at Florida Atlantic (1050) and FIU (1070), where scores are required.

    The ranges rest on very different shares of the class. At FIU, 92% of Fall 2025 first-years sent an SAT, so its range describes nearly everyone. At UNLV, 10% did, so its range reflects a small, self-selected group.

    Should you send a 1000 to test-optional colleges?

    At some colleges. A 1000 is at or above our estimate of the typical SAT of freshmen who enrolled without one at about one test-optional college in seven that we track, including the University of New Mexico (where that estimate is 1000), Montclair State and New Mexico State.

    At North Texas, Kent State and Grand Valley State, a 1000 is inside the range and slightly under that estimate, so it's a close call and your GPA decides: send it if it's stronger than your grades suggest. At Ole Miss (1070) and Illinois State (1050), apply without it.

    Which scholarships does a 1000 earn?

    A 1000 meets the SAT minimum of two dozen automatic awards we track. The largest is the University of Dallas's Freshman Academic Achievement Scholarship, $28,000 a year from 1000 or a 3.00 GPA; Dallas uses whichever is higher for you. Drury University pays $21,000 a year from 990 with a 4.00 GPA, and out-of-state students at Mary Washington receive $5,000 a year from 1000 with a 3.0.

    This page counts only awards with an SAT minimum. Many colleges also give merit aid on GPA alone; our merit aid calculator estimates awards from your GPA and score together.

    Where 1000 fits, college by college

    Each college we track, with its middle 50% of enrolled freshmen, where 1000 falls in it, whether to send it, and the merit aid whose SAT minimum it meets. Pick a score within 20 points of 1000 or a state to redraw the lists.

    At 1000: 306 target, 196 reach and 9 likely colleges; worth sending to 102 of 762 test-optional colleges.

    Target colleges for 1000 (306)

    1000 is inside the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen, or at a test-optional college it's worth sending. Most selective first.

    Target colleges for 1000
    University of Minnesota-RochesterRochester, MN · Admits 71%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1380Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    LeTourneau UniversityLongview, TX · Admits 38%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1330Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    Roberts Wesleyan UniversityRochester, NY · Admits 71%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1305Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1060
    CUNY Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn, NY · Admits 58%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1340Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    Andrews UniversityBerrien Springs, MI · Admits 82%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1290Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional; required below a 3.5 GPA. Send from 1050
    Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont AltoMont Alto, PA · Admits 96%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1300Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1090
    Cleveland Institute of ArtCleveland, OH · Admits 61%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1280Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1070
    Youngstown State UniversityYoungstown, OH · Admits 84%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1260Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1050Merit at this score$1,000 a yearFirst Opportunity. 3.00+ GPA, 990+ SAT or 19+ ACT
    Wittenberg UniversitySpringfield, OH · Admits 80%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1275Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1090
    Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL · Admits 74%SAT, middle 50%990 to 1260Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1070

    Reach colleges for 1000 (196)

    1000 is below the middle 50% but above the bottom 10% or so, or the college admits under 15% of applicants, a reach for everyone. Closest first.

    Reach colleges for 1000
    Hardin-Simmons UniversityAbilene, TX · Admits 86%SAT, middle 50%1003 to 1180Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1050
    Northwest Nazarene UniversityNampa, ID · Admits 65%SAT, middle 50%1005 to 1240Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1070
    University of South Carolina-UpstateSpartanburg, SC · Admits 67%SAT, middle 50%1005 to 1175Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1050
    Grand Canyon UniversityPhoenix, AZ · Admits 79%SAT, middle 50%1006 to 1113Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1040Merit at this score$3,000 a yearAcademic Scholarship. 2.50+ GPA, 1000 to 1129 SAT or 19 to 21 ACT, Faculty level by score; unweighted GPA; SAT Math + Reading
    Huntingdon CollegeMontgomery, AL · Admits 69%SAT, middle 50%1006 to 1220Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1050
    Ursuline CollegePepper Pike, OH · Admits 75%SAT, middle 50%1006 to 1133Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1050
    Manhattan UniversityRiverdale, NY · Admits 82%SAT, middle 50%1008 to 1325Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1100
    Bay Path UniversityLongmeadow, MA · Admits 85%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1210Below the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    Belhaven UniversityJackson, MS · Admits 50%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1298Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional; required below a 2.8 GPA. Send from 1050Merit at this score$15,500 a yearAchievement Grant for First-Year Students. 3.50+ GPA, 960 to 1020 SAT or 18 to 19 ACT, Includes a $5,000 housing portion
    Citadel Military College of South CarolinaCharleston, SC · Admits 28%SAT, middle 50%1010 to 1220Below the middle 50%Send this score?Apply without itTest optional. Send from 1070

    Not listed: 399 more colleges where 1000 is under roughly the 10th percentile of freshmen.

    Likely colleges for 1000 (9)

    1000 is above the 75th percentile of enrolled freshmen at a college admitting 15% or more. Closest first.

    Likely colleges for 1000
    Alcorn State UniversityAlcorn State, MS · Admits 45%SAT, middle 50%670 to 998Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional; required below a 3.2 GPA. Send from 880
    Bethune-Cookman UniversityDaytona Beach, FL · Admits 90%SAT, middle 50%830 to 990Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 880
    Alabama State UniversityMontgomery, AL · Admits 98%SAT, middle 50%749 to 967Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 930Merit at this score$10,000 a yearM-9 Dreamer's Scholarship. 4.00+ GPA, 960 to 1050 SAT or 18 to 20 ACT. Out-of-state students
    Alice Lloyd CollegePippa Passes, KY · Admits 75%SAT, middle 50%710 to 960Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 980
    Avila UniversityKansas City, MO · Admits 88%SAT, middle 50%800 to 960Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional; required below a 2.8 GPA. Send from 960
    CUNY York CollegeJamaica, NY · Admits 64%SAT, middle 50%790 to 960Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 860
    Lincoln UniversityLincoln University, PA · Admits 64%SAT, middle 50%820 to 960Above the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    Gallaudet UniversityWashington, DC · Admits 58%SAT, middle 50%762 to 898Above the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest required
    Virginia Union UniversityRichmond, VA · Admits 98%SAT, middle 50%850 to 885Above the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest required

    Automatic scholarships with an SAT minimum at or below 1000

    24 colleges we track publish an automatic merit award with an SAT minimum at or below 1000, including colleges not listed above. Each award's other requirements, usually a GPA, are listed with it, and the college's page has every rule. Largest first.

    What 50 more points changes

    At 1050, 135 colleges move up a band, 146 test-optional colleges become worth sending to, and 33 colleges have a larger scholarship whose SAT minimum it meets. See every college at 1050.

    Moves up a band (135)

    Becomes worth sending (146)

    Meets a larger award's SAT minimum (33)

    We sort by score alone, with the same rules as our college pages, because this page doesn't ask for your GPA. SAT ranges are the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen who sent scores, mostly the Fall 2025 entering class, from each college's Common Data Set or the federal College Scorecard. Test policies are for fall 2027. "Send from" is our estimate of the typical SAT of freshmen who enrolled without one. Scholarships come from each college's published policy, linked.

    What costs points at a 1000?

    Around 1000, missed points shift from mostly content gaps toward a mix of gaps and execution errors: misreading what a question asks, an arithmetic slip, running out of time at the end of a module. After each practice set, sort every miss into "didn't know how" and "knew how and got it wrong." The first needs content review; the second needs a habit, such as rereading the question before you confirm an answer.

    Keep working on Algebra in Math and Standard English Conventions in Reading and Writing until those questions are reliable, then move to Advanced Math, which carries as many questions as Algebra. We've written more about what to practice between 1000 and 1200.

    Other SAT scores

    950 is 50 lower; 1050 is 50 higher. Every score from 900 to 1600 is on the SAT scores page. To check one college against your score and GPA, use the submit or retake tool.

    Common questions about a 1000 SAT

    Is a 1000 a good SAT score?
    A 1000 SAT is about average. It's at the 47th percentile of recent SAT takers and at the 48th percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, by College Board's percentiles. Whether it's good for you depends on your colleges: it's inside or above the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen at 323 of the 925 colleges we track with published SAT ranges.
    What percentile is a 1000 on the SAT?
    A 1000 is at the 47th percentile among students who took the SAT and graduated in the past three school years (College Board's user group percentiles): about 53% of them scored higher. Against all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, including those who don't take the SAT (College Board's nationally representative percentiles), it's at the 48th percentile.
    What colleges can I get into with a 1000 SAT?
    By score alone, a 1000 makes 306 colleges we track a target, including University of Minnesota-Rochester, LeTourneau University and Roberts Wesleyan University, and 9 colleges likely: it's above the middle 50% of their freshmen. Grades, courses and the rest of your file count too, and colleges admitting under 15% of applicants are a reach for everyone.
    Should I send a 1000 to test-optional colleges?
    At 102 of the 762 test-optional colleges where we estimate the typical score of freshmen who enrolled without one, a 1000 is at or above it, so sending it helps. Elsewhere, applying without it is usually the better call, unless the score earns a scholarship. Each college's row in the table gives the call.
    What ACT score is a 1000 SAT?
    A 1000 SAT matches a 19 on the ACT, by the concordance tables ACT and College Board published together in 2018.
    Should I retake the SAT with a 1000?
    It depends on your list. Fifty more points, 1050, would move up a band at 135 colleges, become worth sending at 146 colleges and meet a richer scholarship's SAT minimum at 33 colleges. If none of those colleges is on your list, you may get more from spending that time on the rest of your application.

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.