Best colleges for 1000 SAT Score are listed here. If you have achieved a SAT score of 1000, then you must choose at least 5 of the below listed colleges, as not only your chances of admissions will be good but also these colleges will be a good match for you. The following list of best suitable colleges for 1000 SAT scores is given so that you can choose a more suitable college, and may not choose a less competitive college or loose admissions because you have applied to a more competitive college.
Is a 1000 SAT Score Good for 2026?
Yes, a 1000 SAT score is considered Foundational. Nationally, this performance puts you in the 35th-50th percentile of nearly 2 million annual test-takers.
Strategic Admissions Guidance
With a 1000, your college search should focus on schools that value a holistic application. While you may face challenges at highly selective state flagships, there are hundreds of great institutions where a 1000 is the norm. For 2026, we suggest looking into 'Test-Optional' or 'Test-Blind' schools if you feel this score doesn't accurately reflect your classroom performance. Alternatively, a focused prep program targeting SAT grammar rules can often jump this score by 100+ points.
What does a 1000 mean for your applications?
In the 2026 admissions cycle, universities are increasingly looking for 'data-backed' proof of academic readiness. A 1000 serves as a standardized metric that complements your GPA. However, remember that admissions officers also weigh your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and the difficulty of your high school curriculum (AP/IB classes).
To help you build a balanced college list, we have analyzed thousands of data points from the Common Data Set (CDS) to categorize the schools below into Reach, Match, and Safety categories specifically for a 1000 applicant.
Best Colleges for 1000 SAT Score
Following is the list of colleges that accept 1000 SAT Score.
| Logo | Institute | State | Average SAT Score | SAT Reading Scores | SAT Math Scores | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo | Institute | State | Average SAT Score | SAT Reading Scores | SAT Maths Scores | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|
Montclair State University | New Jersey | 1080 | 480 - 610 | 470 - 590 | 91.31% | Match |
|
University of South Carolina Aiken | South Carolina | 1080 | 490 - 600 | 460 - 580 | 75.62% | Match |
|
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville | Illinois | 1080 | 470 - 590 | 460 - 570 | 97.51% | Match |
|
Dominican University New York | New York | 1080 | 470 - 608 | 483 - 570 | 88.97% | Match |
|
Bay Path University | Massachusetts | 1080 | 520 - 590 | 500 - 550 | 75.63% | Reach |
|
Eastern Connecticut State University | Connecticut | 1079 | 500 - 610 | 480 - 580 | 73.83% | Match |
|
Guilford College | North Carolina | 1079 | 460 - 600 | 450 - 580 | 83.51% | Match |
|
Ottawa University-Surprise | Arizona | 1079 | 510 - 620 | 470 - 610 | 28.66% | Reach |
|
University of South Carolina-Upstate | South Carolina | 1078 | 490 - 590 | 460 - 560 | 78.58% | Match |
|
Spring Arbor University | Michigan | 1078 | 480 - 570 | 490 - 565 | 47.32% | Match |
|
Southeastern Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma | 1078 | 470 - 560 | 450 - 560 | 74.21% | Match |
|
Brevard College | North Carolina | 1077 | 485 - 580 | 480 - 575 | 39.89% | Match |
|
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Florida | 1077 | 520 - 590 | 490 - 560 | 32.93% | Reach |
|
Truett McConnell University | Georgia | 1077 | 500 - 620 | 500 - 570 | 80.83% | Match |
|
Lander University | South Carolina | 1076 | 480 - 600 | 470 - 590 | 67.4% | Match |
|
Illinois College | Illinois | 1076 | 480 - 560 | 480 - 566 | 77.18% | Match |
|
Trinity International University-Illinois | Illinois | 1076 | 475 - 578 | 450 - 528 | 91.26% | Match |
|
Sterling College | Kansas | 1076 | 483 - 545 | 455 - 578 | 61.1% | Match |
|
Pacific Union College | California | 1075 | 510 - 610 | 480 - 590 | 48.46% | Match |
|
Marietta College | Ohio | 1075 | 480 - 580 | 460 - 550 | 82.85% | Match |
|
Georgia Southwestern State University | Georgia | 1075 | 520 - 600 | 490 - 560 | 73.18% | Reach |
|
Alvernia University | Pennsylvania | 1075 | 513 - 580 | 483 - 590 | 59% | Match |
|
Cedar Crest College | Pennsylvania | 1075 | 520 - 635 | 460 - 595 | 84.25% | Match |
|
Columbia International University | South Carolina | 1074 | 500 - 620 | 490 - 575 | 48.22% | Match |
|
Saginaw Valley State University | Michigan | 1073 | 490 - 590 | 480 - 590 | 76.37% | Match |
|
Charleston Southern University | South Carolina | 1072 | 470 - 600 | 470 - 570 | 86.75% | Match |
|
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Pennsylvania | 1071 | 490 - 598 | 490 - 598 | 93.55% | Match |
|
University of Michigan-Flint | Michigan | 1071 | 480 - 620 | 450 - 600 | 66.35% | Match |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill | Pennsylvania | 1070 | 500 - 610 | 490 - 570 | 85.78% | Match |
|
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 1069 | 480 - 590 | 460 - 570 | 93.63% | Match |
|
University of Virginia's College at Wise | Virginia | 1068 | 455 - 600 | 460 - 560 | 75.57% | Match |
|
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale | Illinois | 1068 | 460 - 580 | 440 - 560 | 91.5% | Match |
|
Indiana University-Northwest | Indiana | 1068 | 480 - 600 | 470 - 570 | 80.31% | Match |
|
Belmont Abbey College | North Carolina | 1068 | 460 - 580 | 490 - 560 | 97.17% | Match |
|
Lubbock Christian University | Texas | 1068 | 480 - 590 | 460 - 600 | 81.59% | Match |
|
West Virginia Wesleyan College | West Virginia | 1067 | 470 - 590 | 440 - 590 | 96.35% | Match |
|
Stephen F Austin State University | Texas | 1067 | 490 - 590 | 480 - 570 | 89.51% | Match |
|
LIM College | New York | 1067 | 510 - 630 | 460 - 540 | 83.82% | Match |
|
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 1067 | 490 - 590 | 490 - 580 | 93.96% | Match |
|
John Paul the Great Catholic University | California | 1066 | 540 - 574 | 520 - 551 | 79.59% | Reach |
|
Adams State University | Colorado | 1066 | 460 - 560 | 450 - 570 | 99.18% | Match |
|
SUNY Buffalo State University | New York | 1065 | 470 - 600 | 470 - 578 | 85.98% | Match |
|
Upper Iowa University | Iowa | 1065 | 430 - 540 | 460 - 510 | 54.23% | Match |
|
Shepherd University | West Virginia | 1064 | 480 - 600 | 450 - 570 | 95.86% | Match |
|
Indiana University-South Bend | Indiana | 1064 | 490 - 590 | 480 - 600 | 86.88% | Match |
|
Colorado Mesa University | Colorado | 1062 | 470 - 600 | 460 - 580 | 81.76% | Match |
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Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus | Pennsylvania | 1061 | 480 - 580 | 460 - 570 | 91.94% | Match |
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Central Connecticut State University | Connecticut | 1061 | 480 - 590 | 460 - 570 | 76.71% | Match |
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Tarleton State University | Texas | 1061 | 480 - 580 | 470 - 570 | 87.06% | Match |
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Lincoln Memorial University | Tennessee | 1060 | 472 - 580 | 510 - 610 | 78.48% | Match |
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Wilson College | Pennsylvania | 1060 | 490 - 580 | 480 - 540 | 94.05% | Match |
|
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 1060 | 480 - 590 | 480 - 570 | 74.33% | Match |
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Concordia University Texas | Texas | 1060 | 500 - 620 | 510 - 570 | 85.74% | Reach |
|
Saint Joseph's College of Maine | Maine | 1060 | 490 - 570 | 470 - 550 | 80.84% | Match |
|
Nichols College | Massachusetts | 1060 | 470 - 590 | 475 - 590 | 84.86% | Match |
|
Shorter University | Georgia | 1059 | 480 - 690 | 480 - 600 | 97.47% | Match |
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Belhaven University | Mississippi | 1059 | 485 - 640 | 495 - 560 | 42.6% | Match |
|
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus | New Jersey | 1059 | 460 - 580 | 448 - 600 | 84.09% | Match |
|
Calvary University | Missouri | 1058 | 460 - 600 | 410 - 570 | 63.16% | Match |
|
Georgia Southern University | Georgia | 1057 | 500 - 590 | 480 - 560 | 88.89% | Match |
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Pennsylvania Western University | Pennsylvania | 1057 | 470 - 580 | 470 - 570 | 93.62% | Match |
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Radford University | Virginia | 1057 | 490 - 600 | 470 - 560 | 93.34% | Match |
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Sam Houston State University | Texas | 1056 | 490 - 580 | 470 - 560 | 84.63% | Match |
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Eastern Michigan University | Michigan | 1056 | 480 - 600 | 450 - 580 | 83.23% | Match |
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Jacksonville State University | Alabama | 1055 | 480 - 600 | 460 - 600 | 78.46% | Match |
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Purdue University Northwest | Indiana | 1055 | 480 - 590 | 470 - 580 | 72.82% | Match |
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Clarke University | Iowa | 1055 | 460 - 590 | 460 - 570 | 84.8% | Match |
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Northwood University | Michigan | 1055 | 470 - 580 | 480 - 580 | 79.68% | Match |
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Delta State University | Mississippi | 1055 | 460 - 630 | 480 - 650 | 98.61% | Match |
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Southeast Missouri State University | Missouri | 1055 | 490 - 590 | 480 - 590 | 86.31% | Match |
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Oklahoma Baptist University | Oklahoma | 1054 | 470 - 570 | 490 - 590 | 47.34% | Match |
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Rocky Mountain College | Montana | 1054 | 470 - 600 | 500 - 630 | 75.17% | Match |
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Erskine College | South Carolina | 1053 | 460 - 570 | 460 - 580 | 53.25% | Match |
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Hampton University | Virginia | 1053 | 420 - 620 | 420 - 600 | 74.47% | Match |
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Kentucky Wesleyan College | Kentucky | 1053 | 490 - 600 | 490 - 610 | 68.55% | Match |
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Chowan University | North Carolina | 1052 | 430 - 530 | 450 - 555 | 86.68% | Match |
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Auburn University at Montgomery | Alabama | 1051 | 510 - 615 | 500 - 575 | 92.23% | Reach |
|
Fort Hays State University | Kansas | 1051 | 460 - 590 | 480 - 600 | 88.02% | Match |
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Eastern Kentucky University | Kentucky | 1051 | 470 - 590 | 470 - 595 | 64.31% | Match |
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Troy University | Alabama | 1050 | 490 - 590 | 460 - 560 | 94.84% | Match |
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Williams Baptist University | Arkansas | 1050 | 415 - 555 | 545 - 615 | 59.31% | Match |
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Kettering College | Ohio | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 34.41% | Match |
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Wright State University-Main Campus | Ohio | 1050 | 450 - 588 | 463 - 580 | 95.22% | Match |
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Mount Marty University | South Dakota | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 68.39% | Safety |
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West Texas A & M University | Texas | 1050 | 470 - 570 | 480 - 580 | 91.63% | Match |
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Mount Mary University | Wisconsin | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 69.45% | Safety |
|
Medaille University | New York | 1050 | 480 - 570 | 450 - 570 | 68.8% | Match |
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Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Ohio | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 55.1% | Safety |
|
Pfeiffer University | North Carolina | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 69.05% | Safety |
|
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne | Indiana | 1050 | 460 - 570 | 470 - 560 | 98.06% | Match |
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Southwestern Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 76.78% | Safety |
|
North Carolina A & T State University | North Carolina | 1050 | 480 - 580 | 480 - 560 | 56.39% | Match |
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Baker University | Kansas | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 91.75% | Safety |
|
Western Oregon University | Oregon | 1050 | 495 - 620 | 490 - 600 | 83.35% | Match |
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Marian University | Wisconsin | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 71.55% | Safety |
|
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh | Wisconsin | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 88.52% | Safety |
|
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School | North Dakota | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 44.44% | Safety |
|
University of Wisconsin-Superior | Wisconsin | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 95.6% | Safety |
|
Adrian College | Michigan | 1050 | 470 - 580 | 470 - 580 | 69.06% | Match |
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Concordia University Ann Arbor | Michigan | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 70.18% | Safety |
|
West Virginia University Institute of Technology | West Virginia | 1050 | 460 - 570 | 440 - 560 | 64.58% | Match |
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Southwest Minnesota State University | Minnesota | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 91.59% | Safety |
|
Dakota Wesleyan University | South Dakota | 1050 | 470 - 700 | 480 - 720 | 74.77% | Match |
|
Texas A & M University-Commerce | Texas | 1050 | 473 - 590 | 440 - 560 | 86.45% | Match |
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Mississippi University for Women | Mississippi | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 99.11% | Safety |
|
East Central University | Oklahoma | 1050 | 480 - 538 | 480 - 540 | 70.08% | Match |
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College of Saint Mary | Nebraska | 1050 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 64.58% | Safety |
|
University of the Cumberlands | Kentucky | 1049 | 470 - 590 | 490 - 570 | 83.02% | Match |
|
Westminster College | Missouri | 1049 | 470 - 520 | 460 - 570 | 75.28% | Match |
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MidAmerica Nazarene University | Kansas | 1048 | 443 - 540 | 473 - 578 | 66.82% | Match |
|
Siena Heights University | Michigan | 1048 | 480 - 573 | 450 - 560 | 64.98% | Match |
|
University of North Texas at Dallas | Texas | 1047 | 405 - 468 | 370 - 418 | 93.61% | Safety |
|
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | North Carolina | 1047 | 470 - 555 | 475 - 520 | 44.9% | Match |
|
Northeastern State University | Oklahoma | 1046 | 440 - 560 | 435 - 570 | 99.46% | Match |
|
The Baptist College of Florida | Florida | 1045 | 500 - 650 | 430 - 550 | 92.11% | Match |
|
University of Saint Mary | Kansas | 1045 | 465 - 548 | 470 - 518 | 81.93% | Match |
|
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Missouri | 1045 | 450 - 540 | 480 - 550 | 97.86% | Match |
|
Tusculum University | Tennessee | 1044 | 460 - 550 | 450 - 560 | 81.08% | Match |
|
Keuka College | New York | 1042 | 490 - 563 | 450 - 570 | 92.79% | Match |
|
University of Akron Wayne College | Ohio | 1042 | 400 - 460 | 410 - 490 | 82.92% | Safety |
FAQ for SAT Score: 1000
How does a 1000 SAT score compare to the ACT?
A 1000 SAT score is roughly equivalent to a 19-20 on the ACT. While this score is below average for competitive colleges, you could still be a good candidate for public universities and state colleges. Consider improving your score with more study or test prep if you’re targeting more selective schools.
What scholarships are available for a 1000 SAT score?
A 1000 SAT score may qualify you for some merit-based scholarships at public universities or regional colleges. Full-tuition scholarships would be rare, but some institutions offer partial scholarships to students with scores in this range.
Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 1000 SAT score?
Ivy League schools typically require SAT scores much higher than 1000. If you're aiming for these elite institutions, you'll need to raise your score significantly. Focus on more achievable schools where your 1000 can be competitive.
Should I retake the SAT to improve my score?
If you want to apply to more selective colleges or universities, retaking the SAT could be a good option. You may want to focus on improving your test-taking strategies, reviewing specific areas of weakness, or taking a prep course.
What is the national average SAT score?
The national average SAT score is around 1050, so a 1000 SAT score is below average. Consider working on areas where you can improve, such as reading comprehension or math, to raise your score for better college prospects.
Do test-optional colleges consider a 1000 SAT score if submitted?
Test-optional colleges will consider your 1000 SAT if you choose to submit it. However, if your score is below average for your target school, you might want to focus on submitting strong essays, recommendation letters, and extracurriculars instead.
What GPA is a 1000 SAT?
A 1000 SAT score typically corresponds to a GPA between 2.5-2.8. If your GPA is in this range, you may want to consider schools with a higher acceptance rate to improve your chances of admission.
Can I get into NYU with a 1000 SAT?
NYU’s average SAT score is much higher than 1000, so it would be challenging to get in with this score. Consider applying to other schools with less competitive score requirements, or consider improving your score and reapplying.
Is 1000 a good SAT score for Harvard?
Harvard’s average SAT score is closer to 1500-1600, so a 1000 SAT score would not be competitive for admission. You may want to focus on other schools with a slightly lower average score.
Can I get into MIT with a 1000 SAT?
MIT’s average SAT score is much higher than 1000, and unfortunately, you won’t be competitive for admission with this score. Look for other top universities where your score may be more competitive.
Can I get into Princeton with a 1000 SAT score?
Princeton requires higher SAT scores than 1000, so you will likely not be competitive with this score. However, you may still be considered by other top universities with similar academic standards.
Is a 1000 SAT score good?
A 1000 SAT score is below average, but you still have opportunities at public universities and regional colleges. It’s important to focus on other aspects of your application, such as your GPA, extracurriculars, and personal essays, to strengthen your application.
Which colleges can I get into with a 1000 SAT score?
With a 1000 SAT score, you could be competitive at many public universities with moderate selectivity. Consider applying to state schools or universities with higher acceptance rates like University of Arizona, University of Alabama, or University of Oklahoma.
