Is 1180 a Good SAT Score? Colleges That Accept an 1180 SAT

A score of 1180 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a solid score. Find out which affordable colleges will accept you, especially if you have good grades.

Is 1180 a good SAT score for students hoping to attend top colleges like the University of California, Stanford University, or Indiana University? While some of the most selective colleges may not accept you with a score under 1200, many others will give you a chance since 1180 exceeds the national average, which ranges from 1050 to 1100. So yes, an 1180 is a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/what_is_a_good_sat_score.html">good SAT score</a>, provided you have a good grade point average (GPA) and all the rest of your application helps make your case for admission. <h2 id="section---Is1180AGoodSATScore">Is 1180 a Good SAT Score?</h2> A ''good'' score may be subjective, but 1180 is statistically better than average because the average score for test takers across the country is about 1050. Since there are plenty of colleges that will accept test scores even below 1000, you shouldn't have trouble gaining admission to a majority of American universities. You may not get into an Ivy League school, but you can get into many colleges that accept an 1180 SAT score. <h2 id="section---HowIsTheSATScored">How Is the SAT Scored?</h2> The SAT has two components: a math section and a reading and writing section. Each uses a scoring scale that ranges from 200 to 800. This means test takers will always score somewhere between 400 and 1600. So, if you answer every question correctly, the highest you can get is 1600 — whereas if you miss each question, you would score 400. There are no penalties for guessing, so you should aim to answer as many questions during the allotted test time. <h3 id="section---WhatPercentileIs1180OnTheSAT">What Percentile Is 1180 on the SAT?</h3> The SAT percentiles fluctuate somewhat each year, but 1180 is at about the 78th percentile, making it one of the higher scores among test takers. It is roughly equivalent to scoring a 24 on the American College Testing (ACT). This would not be enough to get into schools with the highest acceptance rates, but you can still apply to competitive schools. An above average SAT score will impress most college boards, especially if you combine it with a resume full of impressive extracurricular activities and strong academic performance. <h2 id="section---WillCollegesAcceptAn1180SATScore">Will Colleges Accept an 1180 SAT Score?</h2> Many college admissions officers would look favorably on an 1180 SAT score, but this depends on the acceptance rate and competitiveness of the admissions process. Ivy League universities and many upper-tier schools set cutoff scores no lower than 1300. This should, however, not discourage you from applying to decent regional colleges as long as they do not refuse to accept SAT scores below 1200. Many schools also use a ''test optional'' admissions process, where you do not have to submit standardized test scores whatsoever. <h2 id="section---ShouldIRetakeTheSATIfIGotAn1180">Should I Retake the SAT if I Got an 1180?</h2> If your target schools only consider the highest scores for admissions, consider retaking the exam or applying to other schools. The good news is you can take the SAT multiple times, and universities will consider the highest score you obtain (unlike other standardized tests that average the scores). If you decide to retake the test, we recommend investing in tutoring services and taking SAT practice tests. You can also sign up for an SAT prep course, such as the ones offered by Khan Academy and other test-prep centers. <h2 id="section---CollegesThatAcceptAn1180OnTheSAT">Colleges That Accept an 1180 on the SAT</h2> Many schools accept students with an 1180 score. Below, we'll discuss 10 reputable colleges that accept candidates with an SAT score of 1180. These universities also offer decent tuition rates and have academic accreditations. <h3 id="section---1.UniversityOfCaliforniaDavis">1. University of California - Davis</h3> The University of California - Davis typically admits students with an SAT score ranging between 1160 and 1370, making it one of the more selective schools on our list. It accepts about 42% of college applicants with an unweighted GPA range of 3.82 to 4.0 for accepted students. The university claims to have a holistic admissions process, meaning it will consider other factors, such as extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation. SAT requirements: 1160 minimum Average in-state tuition: $15,247 Average out-of-state tuition: $46,024 Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) <h3 id="section---2.PennStateUniversity">2. Penn State University</h3> Penn State University has a high average SAT score of about 1310, but it accepts students with scores as low as 1120. This might be a ''reach'' school for an applicant with an 1180 SAT score, but it's not impossible to offset that with good grades, a legacy student status, or other intervening factors. SAT requirements: 1120 minimum Average in-state tuition: $20,644 Average out-of-state tuition: $41,790 Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) <h3 id="section---3.GeorgeMasonUniversity">3. George Mason University</h3> George Mason University admits students with an average SAT score of 1240. A score of 1180 would put you just above the 25th percentile. This is yet another outside chance for test takers with scores below 1200, but the school also has a high admissions rate of 89%. George Mason also considers high school GPA to be one of its most important admissions criteria. SAT requirements: 1140 minimum Average in-state tuition: $14,220 Average out-of-state tuition: $38,688 Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) <h3 id="section---4.UniversityOfOregon">4. University of Oregon</h3> The University of Oregon admits students who have an SAT math score between 580 and 690 and a reading and writing score between 560 and 680. The minimum is about 1120 altogether, whereas you may need at least an 1150 to be competitive. Oregon has a high acceptance rate (82%), but it's also known for placing a large proportion of applicants on the waitlist (35.9%). SAT requirements: 1120 minimum Average in-state tuition: $15,669 Average out-of-state tuition: $43,302 Accreditation:Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) <h3 id="section---5.SanJoseStateUniversity">5. San Jose State University</h3> San Jose State University does not consider SAT scores in its admissions process, according to its website. That makes this an attractive option for excellent students who struggle with standardized tests. The university not only accepts 80% of applicants but also grants reasonable tuition rates of less than $10,000 for California undergraduates. SAT requirements: Test optional Average in-state tuition: $8,410 Average out-of-state tuition: $21,010 Accreditation: WSCUC <h3 id="section---6.CoastalCarolinaCollege">6. Coastal Carolina College</h3> Coastal Carolina College is another test-optional university, provided you submit at least a 3.5 GPA. If you do not meet the GPA requirement, you can still opt out of the SAT by: <ul><li>writing a 500-word essay </li><li>securing a letter of recommendation </li><li>submitting a resume with impressive extracurricular activities </li></ul>Coastal Carolina also grants special consideration to students who improve their academic performance by the 12th grade after getting off to a slower start in high school. SAT requirements: Test optional Average in-state tuition: $11,640 Average out-of-state tuition: $29,628 Accreditation: (SACSCOC) <h3 id="section---7.BallStateUniversity">7. Ball State University</h3> You can still submit test scores to Ball State University if you believe it helps, but the school no longer requires them from incoming freshmen. Instead, it places greater emphasis on achieving good grades (a 3.5 GPA or higher), involvement in sports, music, and other activities, and whether you've completed challenging high school courses. SAT requirements: Test optional Average in-state tuition: $11,082 Average out-of-state tuition: $29,630 Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC) <h3 id="section---8.ColoradoStateUniversity">8. Colorado State University</h3> Colorado State University does not require SAT or ACT scores, and accepts over 90% of applicants. You should focus on achieving a GPA of at least 3.0 before graduating. The university will also consider students who demonstrate an upward trend with better grades toward the end of their high school careers. SAT requirements: Test Optional Average in-state tuition: $12,896 USD Average out-of-state tuition: $33,751 Accreditation: HLC <h3 id="section---9.WestVirginiaUniversity">9. West Virginia University</h3> West Virginia University offers a test-optional admissions process; however, many students still submit scores to strengthen their case for acceptance. The SAT score range falls between 1070 and 1240, making an 1180 score quite competitive. West Virginia accepts about 88% of applicants and offers affordable tuition for in-state residents. SAT requirements: Test Optional Average in-state tuition: $10,104 Average out-of-state tuition: $28,608 Accreditation: HLC <h3 id="section---10.SUNYUniversityAtAlbany">10. SUNY University at Albany</h3> SUNY University at Albany has a test-optional admissions process as well. The university prefers to focus more on high school academic performance, class rank, and other factors. Among those who still submit test scores, the average is 1240, with 1140 being at the 25th percentile. This means you may not benefit from submitting an 1180 since it would make your admissions profile appear below average. SAT requirements: Test optional Average in-state tuition: $10,601 Average out-of-state tuition: $30,991 Accreditation: MSCHE <h2 id="section---HowWeRankSchools">How We Rank Schools</h2> This is the ranking methodology we use for selecting the universities on this list. The three most important factors are accreditation status, college admissions standards, and affordability. <ul><li>Accreditation: All universities must possess a valid accreditation status from a review board, such as the HLC. </li><li>Admissions requirements: The universities on this list must have a minimum SAT requirement no greater than 1180 (or do not require SAT or ACT scores). </li><li>Affordability: This list includes universities with reasonable SAT score ranges, but still offer competitive tuition rates. </li></ul><h2 id="section---ExploreOnlineDegreePrograms">Explore Online Degree Programs</h2> Learn.org offers a large volume of informative resources on how to identify affordable online degree programs. Explore our website to find cheaper degree programs, online coursework options, help applying for financial aid, and more.

Is 1180 a Good SAT Score? Colleges That Accept an 1180 SAT

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