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Best Colleges for 1000 - 1050 SAT Score

1050 SAT Colleges: Best Schools for 1050 SAT Score

Best colleges for 1050 SAT Score are listed here. If you have achieved a SAT score of 1050, 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 1050 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 1050 SAT Score Good for 2026?

A 1050 SAT score is considered Below Average — Growth Opportunity. Nationally, this puts you in the 26th–34th percentile among approximately 1.7 million annual test-takers.

Strategic Admissions Guidance — 2026 Cycle

A 1050 is below the national average, and I think the most helpful thing I can do is be honest with you about both the challenges and the real opportunities ahead — because there are genuine ones.

First, the landscape: at this score level, most four-year state flagships and competitive private universities will be difficult admissions targets if they require test scores. But here is what that actually means in practice: hundreds of four-year colleges offer strong programs, genuine community, and real career outcomes for students with scores in this range. The US higher education system is enormous, and selectivity is not the same as quality.

Second, the test-optional question: for schools where your 1050 falls below their 25th percentile, I strongly recommend going test-optional. In those cases, your application will be stronger without the score than with it. Use your personal statement to tell a specific story — one that admissions readers have not seen before — and make sure your recommendation letters speak to concrete examples of your work and character, not just generalities.

Third, and this is important: if you have not yet decided on a specific field of study, look at schools with strong vocational, technical, or career-focused programs in areas with genuine job market demand. A degree in nursing, respiratory therapy, computer networking, or construction management from a regional school with employer partnerships can outperform a vague liberal arts degree from a more prestigious school in lifetime earnings and employability.

👉 Your Next Step: Make a list of 5 schools where you genuinely want to study and where your score is within or above their 25th percentile. For all other schools, apply test-optional. Concentrate your effort on the schools where you have the best shot.

What a 1050 Means in the 2026 Admissions Cycle

In the 2026 admissions cycle, standardized test scores have made a significant structural comeback after years of test-optional experimentation. MIT, Yale, Harvard, Dartmouth, and many other elite institutions now require SAT or ACT scores for all applicants. This shift means your score carries more weight than it did in 2021–2024 — but it is not the only thing that matters. Admissions offices continue to evaluate your transcript (course rigor and grade trend), personal statement, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular story as a complete picture.

To help you identify the right college list, our team has analyzed Common Data Set (CDS) submissions from hundreds of US and Canadian universities to categorize schools into Reach, Match, and Safety tiers specifically for a 1050 applicant. See the full school list below.

Best Colleges for 1050 SAT Score

Following is the list of colleges that accept 1050 SAT Score.

LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Math ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Maths ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
University of Connecticut-Avery Point University of Connecticut-Avery PointConnecticut1130 500 - 610480 - 600 86.51% Match
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBois Pennsylvania State University-Penn State DuBoisPennsylvania1130 540 - 625520 - 625 92.52% Reach
University of Southern Maine University of Southern MaineMaine1130 505 - 640490 - 640 79.31% Match
Western Colorado University Western Colorado UniversityColorado1130 500 - 630500 - 610 97.47% Match
Utica University Utica UniversityNew York1130 510 - 600520 - 610 87.19% Match
Curry College Curry CollegeMassachusetts1130 510 - 630510 - 610 92.05% Match
Dakota State University Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota1129 490 - 660530 - 680 97.87% Match
West Virginia University West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia1129 520 - 630490 - 610 86.26% Match
Coastal Carolina University Coastal Carolina UniversitySouth Carolina1128 530 - 610520 - 600 80.19% Match
Monmouth College Monmouth CollegeIllinois1128 510 - 630500 - 600 86.62% Match
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater State UniversityMassachusetts1127 530 - 630510 - 600 89.19% Match
Illinois State University Illinois State UniversityIllinois1127 510 - 620500 - 610 89.01% Match
University of Michigan-Dearborn University of Michigan-DearbornMichigan1127 500 - 630490 - 630 58.63% Match
Montana Technological University Montana Technological UniversityMontana1126 520 - 620540 - 630 89.9% Reach
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater AlleghenyPennsylvania1125 505 - 635515 - 580 94.66% Match
College of the Ozarks College of the OzarksMissouri1125 545 - 660518 - 645 14.87% Reach
Huntington University Huntington UniversityIndiana1124 470 - 590530 - 600 71.15% Match
Converse University Converse UniversitySouth Carolina1124 520 - 640510 - 598 64% Match
Texas Lutheran University Texas Lutheran UniversityTexas1124 520 - 620510 - 610 94.79% Match
Brigham Young University-Idaho Brigham Young University-IdahoIdaho1123 500 - 610480 - 590 96.95% Match
Pacific University Pacific UniversityOregon1123 500 - 640490 - 600 91.76% Match
University of South Dakota University of South DakotaSouth Dakota1122 570 - 650540 - 680 98.95% Reach
Tuskegee University Tuskegee UniversityAlabama1121 495 - 645500 - 610 31.43% Match
South Dakota State University South Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota1121 520 - 640520 - 660 98.71% Match
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point University of Wisconsin-Stevens PointWisconsin1120 - - 90.14% Safety
Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida1120 530 - 620510 - 590 76.75% Match
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgia1120 520 - 620500 - 600 69.18% Match
Bushnell University Bushnell UniversityOregon1120 520 - 635490 - 680 66.36% Match
Guilford College Guilford CollegeNorth Carolina1120 510 - 630500 - 620 83.76% Match
William Carey University William Carey UniversityMississippi1120 460 - 620420 - 580 57.97% Match
Mississippi College Mississippi CollegeMississippi1120 - - 48.87% Safety
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyPennsylvania1120 490 - 620530 - 595 52.94% Match
University of Wisconsin-River Falls University of Wisconsin-River FallsWisconsin1120 - - 81.62% Safety
Saint Vincent College Saint Vincent CollegePennsylvania1120 500 - 613493 - 618 59.1% Match
College of Saint Mary College of Saint MaryNebraska1120 - - 43.95% Safety
University of Nebraska at Omaha University of Nebraska at OmahaNebraska1120 - - 86.9% Safety
North Dakota State University-Main Campus North Dakota State University-Main CampusNorth Dakota1120 - - 95.81% Safety
Lindenwood University Lindenwood UniversityMissouri1120 - - 65.86% Safety
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania1120 520 - 620510 - 590 89.41% Match
Kettering College Kettering CollegeOhio1120 - - 82.86% Safety
Trinity Bible College and Graduate School Trinity Bible College and Graduate SchoolNorth Dakota1120 - - 36.22% Safety
Mount Mercy University Mount Mercy UniversityIowa1120 - - 78.76% Safety
University of Northern Iowa University of Northern IowaIowa1120 460 - 580400 - 630 94.4% Match
University of Southern Mississippi University of Southern MississippiMississippi1120 - - 99.38% Safety
Springfield College Springfield CollegeMassachusetts1120 530 - 650540 - 610 70.23% Reach
Mount Marty University Mount Marty UniversitySouth Dakota1120 - - 48.14% Safety
Winona State University Winona State UniversityMinnesota1119 510 - 610470 - 640 68.52% Match
University of South Alabama University of South AlabamaAlabama1119 520 - 610495 - 590 65.49% Match
Arkansas State University Arkansas State UniversityArkansas1119 510 - 590520 - 590 69.67% Match
Missouri State University-Springfield Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouri1119 490 - 620500 - 600 91.05% Match
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusColorado1119 500 - 620480 - 600 77.81% Match
Louisiana State University-Shreveport Louisiana State University-ShreveportLouisiana1119 530 - 590470 - 560 82.72% Match
Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida1119 530 - 620510 - 590 73.44% Match
Ashland University Ashland UniversityOhio1119 495 - 610525 - 645 80.57% Match
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityOhio1119 485 - 610478 - 618 84.3% Match
Franklin College Franklin CollegeIndiana1119 500 - 600520 - 600 70.58% Match
University of Dubuque University of DubuqueIowa1119 470 - 580480 - 580 86.92% Match
Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State UniversityTennessee1119 510 - 630490 - 600 68% Match
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryKentucky1118 528 - 613500 - 590 96.89% Match
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOhio1118 510 - 620510 - 610 80.61% Match
Rutgers University-Camden Rutgers University-CamdenNew Jersey1118 510 - 625500 - 630 77.75% Match
University of Illinois Springfield University of Illinois SpringfieldIllinois1118 510 - 610500 - 600 84.37% Match
Capital University Capital UniversityOhio1118 490 - 600490 - 590 73.17% Match
Fort Hays State University Fort Hays State UniversityKansas1118 490 - 600480 - 600 91.77% Match
Wichita State University Wichita State UniversityKansas1118 490 - 630480 - 620 94.94% Match
University of Central Arkansas University of Central ArkansasArkansas1117 490 - 570450 - 550 90.47% Match
Longwood University Longwood UniversityVirginia1117 520 - 620500 - 570 84.8% Match
Lewis University Lewis UniversityIllinois1117 490 - 610500 - 610 72.73% Match
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaTennessee1117 510 - 605495 - 580 77.02% Match
Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma Christian UniversityOklahoma1117 500 - 610500 - 610 97.07% Match
Southern Adventist University Southern Adventist UniversityTennessee1116 500 - 650470 - 620 66.61% Match
The University of Texas at Arlington The University of Texas at ArlingtonTexas1116 500 - 620490 - 610 81.29% Match
University of La Verne University of La VerneCalifornia1116 510 - 650460 - 653 48.48% Match
Elmhurst University Elmhurst UniversityIllinois1116 480 - 610480 - 600 75.74% Match
University of North Florida University of North FloridaFlorida1115 510 - 620480 - 590 62.27% Match
Central College Central CollegeIowa1115 490 - 580445 - 625 78.97% Match
Waynesburg University Waynesburg UniversityPennsylvania1114 500 - 630500 - 590 91.69% Match
Lake Erie College Lake Erie CollegeOhio1114 485 - 560460 - 555 64.12% Match
East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State UniversityTennessee1114 490 - 600460 - 570 87.06% Match
William Jewell College William Jewell CollegeMissouri1114 490 - 570470 - 550 34.29% Match
Northern Kentucky University Northern Kentucky UniversityKentucky1114 458 - 573458 - 560 96.03% Match
Fitchburg State University Fitchburg State UniversityMassachusetts1114 520 - 620510 - 600 89.94% Match
Augusta University Augusta UniversityGeorgia1113 520 - 630500 - 600 89.31% Match
Carthage College Carthage CollegeWisconsin1113 490 - 605510 - 600 84.15% Match
The University of Texas at Tyler The University of Texas at TylerTexas1113 510 - 620500 - 600 91.54% Match
Neumont College of Computer Science Neumont College of Computer ScienceUtah1112 410 - 585460 - 490 89.24% Match
Carson-Newman University Carson-Newman UniversityTennessee1111 480 - 570460 - 560 68.27% Match
Murray State University Murray State UniversityKentucky1110 480 - 600470 - 590 86.17% Match
Oakland University Oakland UniversityMichigan1110 520 - 620475 - 565 70.24% Match
Nichols College Nichols CollegeMassachusetts1110 490 - 610510 - 580 88.14% Match
Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Mercy UniversityPennsylvania1110 528 - 590520 - 590 93.61% Match
Husson University Husson UniversityMaine1110 510 - 620490 - 600 86.43% Match
University of Mount Saint Vincent University of Mount Saint VincentNew York1110 480 - 610440 - 590 84.64% Match
Freed-Hardeman University Freed-Hardeman UniversityTennessee1109 467 - 542467 - 542 90.62% Match
Randolph College Randolph CollegeVirginia1109 520 - 580440 - 630 94.94% Match
University of North Texas University of North TexasTexas1109 500 - 630480 - 600 72.46% Match
Emmaus Bible College Emmaus Bible CollegeIowa1109 460 - 510450 - 550 97.7% Match
Dallas Baptist University Dallas Baptist UniversityTexas1109 490 - 620470 - 597 91.08% Match
Western Michigan University Western Michigan UniversityMichigan1108 500 - 620490 - 600 84.68% Match
Johnson & Wales University-Providence Johnson & Wales University-ProvidenceRhode Island1107 500 - 630470 - 600 83.7% Match
Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan UniversitySouth Carolina1106 500 - 600480 - 600 100% Match
University of Houston-Clear Lake University of Houston-Clear LakeTexas1105 500 - 590490 - 580 75.3% Match
University of Virginia's College at Wise University of Virginia's College at WiseVirginia1104 470 - 615465 - 560 93.92% Match
University of Michigan-Flint University of Michigan-FlintMichigan1104 490 - 620460 - 590 68.83% Match
Stephens College Stephens CollegeMissouri1104 610 - 650520 - 620 91.55% Reach
Farmingdale State College Farmingdale State CollegeNew York1104 510 - 600510 - 600 69.12% Match
Brigham Young University-Hawaii Brigham Young University-HawaiiHawaii1104 500 - 608485 - 583 37.87% Match
Marietta College Marietta CollegeOhio1103 500 - 640490 - 655 78.62% Match
Olivet Nazarene University Olivet Nazarene UniversityIllinois1103 480 - 600480 - 590 66.9% Match
University of Louisiana at Monroe University of Louisiana at MonroeLouisiana1102 520 - 620530 - 730 74.56% Match
The University of Texas at San Antonio The University of Texas at San AntonioTexas1102 510 - 610490 - 590 88.46% Match
Palm Beach Atlantic University Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityFlorida1101 500 - 620470 - 590 88.32% Match
University of Lynchburg University of LynchburgVirginia1100 490 - 630490 - 600 82.19% Match
University of Saint Joseph University of Saint JosephConnecticut1100 460 - 630500 - 620 79.64% Match
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFlorida1100 530 - 590500 - 560 21.12% Reach
CUNY York College CUNY York CollegeNew York1100 500 - 600490 - 610 59.42% Match
Southern Virginia University Southern Virginia UniversityVirginia1099 480 - 658463 - 595 99.64% Match
Flagler College Flagler CollegeFlorida1099 520 - 620470 - 580 78.09% Match
Central Michigan University Central Michigan UniversityMichigan1099 490 - 620470 - 590 91.01% Match
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of Mary Hardin-BaylorTexas1098 490 - 620480 - 580 95.12% Match
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FAQ for SAT Score: 1050

How does a 1050 SAT score compare to the ACT?

A 1050 SAT score is roughly equivalent to a 19-20 on the ACT. This score is below average for competitive colleges, but it's within the range for many public universities and less selective private schools. If you're aiming for more selective institutions, retaking the test or improving your overall application may be beneficial.

What scholarships are available for a 1050 SAT score?

A 1050 SAT score may qualify you for some merit-based scholarships at public universities, but you may need to look at more regional or less competitive schools for the best opportunities. Scholarships might cover partial tuition, but full-ride scholarships would be rare.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 1050 SAT score?

Ivy League schools typically expect much higher SAT scores, usually above 1400. A 1050 SAT is unlikely to be competitive for these schools. You may want to focus on other top-tier colleges where your score would make you a stronger candidate.

Should I retake the SAT to improve my score?

If your goal is to attend highly selective schools, retaking the SAT could help improve your chances. However, if you're applying to less competitive schools, your score may already position you well. Consider retaking the test if you feel you can improve with more preparation.

What is the national average SAT score?

The national average SAT score is approximately 1050, so a 1050 SAT score is around the national average. If you're looking to improve, you might want to focus on practicing test-taking strategies or reviewing content areas where you're weaker.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 1050 SAT score if submitted?

Test-optional colleges will consider a 1050 SAT score if submitted, though it may not carry as much weight as a higher score. If you have strong extracurriculars or essays, you might choose not to submit the score. Alternatively, submitting it could help demonstrate your academic abilities.

What GPA is a 1050 SAT?

A 1050 SAT score typically correlates with a GPA of around 2.8-3.0. You may need to improve your GPA to be more competitive for selective schools, but your score will still show that you are capable of succeeding in college courses.

Can I get into NYU with a 1050 SAT?

NYU’s average SAT score is much higher than 1050, so getting in with a 1050 might be challenging. However, if you have outstanding extracurriculars, work experience, or a compelling essay, you could still be considered.

Is 1050 a good SAT score for Harvard?

Harvard’s average SAT score is closer to 1500-1600, so a 1050 SAT would not be competitive for admission there. However, you can still apply to many other prestigious schools that may have a slightly lower average score.

Can I get into MIT with a 1050 SAT?

MIT’s average SAT score is much higher than a 1050, so gaining admission with a 1050 is unlikely. However, MIT places significant importance on achievements in STEM fields, so strong accomplishments in these areas could still improve your chances.

Can I get into Princeton with a 1050 SAT score?

Princeton's SAT range is above a 1050, meaning you would be below the typical applicant. While your score wouldn’t be highly competitive for Princeton, you can still aim for other strong institutions with similar values and academic programs.

Is a 1050 SAT score good?

A 1050 SAT score is slightly below average, but it still shows that you have potential. If you’re aiming for more competitive schools, you might want to retake the test or focus on strengthening other parts of your application, such as your extracurricular activities and essays.

Which colleges can I get into with a 1050 SAT score?

With a 1050 SAT score, you may be competitive at many public state schools and some private institutions with moderate selectivity. Consider schools like University of Arizona, University of Oklahoma, or University of Iowa.

Best Colleges for SAT Score Ranges

View Best colleges for 1550 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1500 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1450 SAT Score
View Best colleges for 1400 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1350 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1300 SAT Score
View Best colleges for 1250 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1200 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1150 SAT Score
View Best colleges for 1100 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1050 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 1000 SAT Score
View Best colleges for 950 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 900 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 850 SAT Score
View Best colleges for 800 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 750 SAT ScoreView Best colleges for 700 SAT Score