The college admissions process is undoubtedly stressful, especially when you feel like your SAT scores might not measure up. But here’s the good news: even if your SAT score is on the lower end, there are still plenty of reputable colleges that welcome students like you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through a list of U.S. colleges that accept lower SAT scores, explain why these schools offer opportunities to students with varied academic backgrounds, and help you understand why a “low” SAT score doesn’t necessarily mean a “low” college experience.
A List of Colleges in the US Depicting the 25th/75th Percentile with Admission Rate
To give you more clarity, the following table shows the 25th and 75th percentile score. That list has assembled in ascending order thereby you can see the lowest scores endowed by these universities for admission. These scores are figured out as per the current version of SAT, that’s is out of 1600.
School Name
25th Percentile SAT Score
75th Percentile SAT Score
Admission Rate
Wiley College
600
1020
40%
Jarvis Christian
720
890
54%
Shaw University
730
900
60%
Rust College
740
870
16%
Livingstone College
750
930
72%
Central State University
760
900
39%
Edward Waters College
760
920
23%
Voorhees
770 (average)
50%
Paine College
770
950
44%
Huston-Tillotson University
770
960
46%
Chowan University
780
940
62%
CUNY-Medgar Evers
780
960
91%
Pine Manor College
780
970
69%
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
780
1020
85%
Virginia Union
800
920
83%
Bethune-Cookman
800
960
54%
Gallaudet University
800
990
62%
College of St Elizabeth
800
1000
63%
Trinity Baptist College
800
1090
Unknown
Texas Southern University
810
980
51%
Kentucky State University
810
1000
38%
Wesley College
810
1030
63%
Clark Atlanta University
820
1010
52%
Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College
820
1030
45%
Sul Ross State University
830
1010
80%
Paul Quinn College
830
1020
89%
Alabama State University
840
1030
48%
SUNY Cobleskill
840
1070
89%
Calumet College of St Joseph
850
1100
35%
Virginia State University
850
1020
77%
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
860
1070
46%
Post University
860
1110
47%
Trinity College of Florida
870
1050
74%
Northern State University
870
1180
83%
Texas A&M – Kingsville
910
1110
82%
Kentucky Christian University
910
1140
48%
Albertus Magnus
950
1050
67%
North Park University
1020
1220
52%
Marietta College
1030
1270
72%
University of Louisiana at Monroe
1030
1310
94%
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Understanding the 25th and 75th Percentile SAT Scores
Before we dive into the list, let’s break down what the 25th and 75th percentile SAT scores actually mean:
25th Percentile SAT Score: This score indicates that 25% of students admitted to this school scored at or below this number. It’s helpful for understanding the lower end of the admission pool.
75th Percentile SAT Score: This represents the score below which 75% of admitted students fall. Essentially, it means 25% of students scored higherthan this number.
Together, these two numbers give you a clearer picture of how competitive a college’s admissions process is, and where your score might place you in the pool of applicants.
Why Do These Colleges Accept Low SAT Scores?
It’s important to remember that just because a college accepts students with lower SAT scores, it doesn’t mean the school is of lower quality. There are several reasons why these colleges may have lower SAT score requirements:
Holistic Admissions Process: Many of these schools take a holistic approach to admissions. This means they look beyond just SAT scores and consider factors like extracurricular activities, community involvement, personal essays, and recommendations.
Mission-Driven Institutions: Schools like Gallaudet University prioritize students with special needs, such as those who are deaf or hard of hearing. These schools may place more importance on a student’s personal background and needs rather than their test scores.
Higher Acceptance Rates: These colleges often have higher acceptance rates and aim to enroll more students. They are committed to providing access to higher education, even to those who might not meet traditional SAT score benchmarks.
Specialized Programs: Some colleges focus on specific groups of students, such as religious institutions or schools that prioritize diversity. These programs may offer more flexibility in terms of academic requirements.
Are You Wondered? Why These Colleges Accept the Low SAT score? Are These Not Reputed?
There is a number of reasons that these schools endowed the low SAT score. These are mostly special schools, such as religious, which prioritize other admission criteria such as religious faith or others.
For instance: Gallaudet University prioritizes to give admission to those students who are deaf and not able to hear well.
Moreover, you have noticed that these US colleges or universities have a big gap between the 25th to 75th percentile as the students who are near to the 25th percentile may get admission into these colleges for some particular reasons like being a legacy, the child of a significant donor, or an exceptional talent person (like awarded as the best painter).
Another possible reason is that these colleges willing to accept the higher number of applications with an intention to fill the whole class. One of the interesting facts about these colleges is that they accept almost all the applications applied for admission.
Hence, it doesn’t give a good sense to say that these US colleges accept the low SAT score. The thing is that their admission criterion is somehow different but these are reputed.
Is a Good Idea to Apply to These Colleges?
While the SAT score might be lower, that doesn’t mean these colleges don’t offer a strong academic experience. Many of these schools provide personalized attention, small class sizes, and strong support systems for students. These features can often lead to a positive and successful college experience.
If you’re looking for a college with a more supportive environment, or if your SAT score doesn’t reflect your full potential, these schools may be a great fit.
Next Steps: What to Do If You Have a Low SAT Score
If your SAT score is lower than you expected but you’re still determined to pursue higher education in the U.S., these colleges might be an excellent choice for you. Applying to schools with more flexible admissions requirements doesn’t mean you’re settling; it means you’re finding a place that values you for more than just your test score.
Ready to get started? Reach out to us atinfo@testprepkart.comfor personalized advice and guidance on the application process. Our team is here to help you find the right school for your needs.
He is a Digital SAT mentor with 10+ years of experience, working primarily with SAT students all Over worldwide. Their students have consistently progressed toward 1520+ scores by improving timing, accuracy, and trap-answer control through official-style practice, detailed mistake analysis, and clear weekly action plans.
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