SAT Scores

Is 980 a Good SAT Score?

It depends on where you're applying. A 980 is inside or above the published middle-50% SAT range at 1 of the 142 colleges we track, and below it at 141. It converts to an ACT 18.

ACT equivalent

Official concordance

In range or above

of 142 colleges

Below the range

141

of 142 colleges

1 college where a 980 is inside the middle 50%

Your score looks like a typical enrolled student's here. Most selective first.

University of North Texas980–1230

The closest reaches for a 980

A 980 is below the 25th percentile at 141 of the 142 colleges that publish a range. These are the ones where the gap is smallest.

University of Mississippi1000–1200
West Virginia University1010–1220
Virginia Commonwealth University1010–1270
University of Rhode Island1020–1280
University of Arkansas1030–1220
Florida Atlantic University1040–1200
Florida International University1070–1260
University of Kentucky1070–1290
University of Kansas1070–1300
Howard University1090–1320
Texas Tech University1090–1280
University of New Hampshire1090–1330

Keep this list for a 980

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Every school where a 980 SAT is in range, above the range, or a close reach.

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Frequently asked questions

Is 980 a good SAT score?

A 980 is at or above the 25th percentile of enrolled students at 1 of the 142 colleges in our dataset that publish an SAT range. It is above the 75th percentile at 0 of them and below the 25th percentile at 141. Whether that is good depends on which of those groups your target schools fall into.

What is a 980 SAT in ACT terms?

A 980 SAT is equivalent to an ACT Composite of 18 on the official ACT/SAT concordance published by College Board and ACT. An ACT 18 ranks at the 52nd percentile of ACT test takers nationally.

Should I retake the SAT with a 980?

A retake is worth the most at schools where a 980 is below the 25th percentile, because that is where your score is working against you. At schools where you are already inside the middle 50%, a retake is optional. At schools where you are above the 75th percentile, the SAT is no longer what holds your application back.

SAT ranges are the 25th to 75th percentile of enrolled first-year students, sourced from College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. ACT national ranks: ACT Score National Ranks, 2026-2027 reporting year.