Colleges That Accept a 960 SAT Score | Scholarships and Admission Info

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If you got a 960 on the SAT Exam, you’re not alone—and you still have plenty of college choices. A 960 is close to the national average, which means you’ve shown you have the basic skills in reading, writing, and math. The SAT helps colleges see if you're ready for college-level work. While a 960 might not get you into the most competitive schools, it’s still a solid start. Many public and private colleges accept this score, and some may even offer scholarships or financial aid based on your GPA, activities, and essays. With some effort, you can find a college that's a great fit for you.

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Is 960 a good SAT score for the First Time?

A 960 SAT score is a good starting point, especially if it was your first time taking the test. It’s just a bit below the national average of around 1024, and it shows you have the basics down in reading, writing, and math. Many colleges accept students with this score, so you still have plenty of options. With more practice and studying, you can improve your score and have more schools to choose from.

What Colleges Accept a 960 SAT Score?

A 960 SAT score can help you get into many good colleges. Schools like Texas State University, University of North Texas, and Arkansas State University often accept students with this score. These colleges have great classes, fun campus life, and plenty of support to help you succeed. While a 960 might not be enough for the top schools in the U.S., it’s still a solid score that gives you lots of options to start your college journey.

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How Does a 960 SAT Score Compare to the National Average?

A 960 SAT score is just slightly below the national average SAT score of 1024 from last year. That means your score is close to what most students in the U.S. get. With a 960, you're in the 40th percentile, meaning you scored better than 40 out of every 100 students. It’s not a top score, but it still shows you're ready for college-level work and gives you plenty of college options.

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Should You Retake the SAT if You Score a 960?

Retaking the SAT can be a smart choice. Many students improve their scores by 60–70 points when they try again. Just getting 4 more questions right could raise your score to 1050, which is above the national average.

If you’re a junior, you still have time to study. You can use free practice tests, take an SAT prep course, or get help from a tutor. Even a small improvement of 50 to 100 points can help you get into more colleges.

If you're a senior and college application deadlines are coming up, check if any schools accept SAT scores from January to March. If not, don't worry—many schools are test-optional, which means they focus more on your GPA, essays, and recommendation letters. You could also consider starting at a community college and transferring later.

📌 Read about What is SAT Superscore? How to Calculate It?

960 SAT to ACT Equivalent

A 960 on the SAT is about the same as getting an 18 on the ACT Exam. These scores are a little below the national average, but they still show you have the basic reading, writing, and math skills for college. If you’re not sure which test is better for you, try taking practice tests for both the SAT and ACT. That way, you can see which one feels easier and helps you get a higher score.

📌 Know about SAT vs ACT: Which Test Should You Take for College Admissions?

Colleges Scholarships That Accept a 960 SAT Score

A 960 SAT score can help you get scholarships at many colleges. How much money you get depends on the school, but lots of colleges give scholarships based on your SAT score. Here are some schools and the scholarships they offer.

University of Arizona - Merit-based scholarships up to $10,000 per year.
University of Alabama - Scholarships up to $8,000 annually.
University of Oklahoma - Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 for eligible students.
University of Mississippi - Merit scholarships up to $4,000 per year.
University of Kansas - Academic scholarships up to $5,000 for students.

📌 Read about ACT to SAT Conversion: Convert SAT Scores Into ACT Scores

Top 15 Colleges That Accept a 960 SAT Score

If you got a 960 on the SAT, you still have plenty of good colleges to choose from in the U.S. Even though it’s not a really high score, lots of schools accept students with a 960. These colleges offer good classes, fun campus life, and even scholarships. Here’s a list of 15 colleges that accept a 960 SAT score and what they offer.

University Name	SAT Score Range	Average GPA	ACT Score Range	Acceptance Rate	Tuition Fees (In-state)	Graduation Rate	Enrollment
California State University, Fresno	950–1150	3.3	19–24	58%	~$6,587	51%	24,000+
San Francisco State University	950–1150	3.4	19–24	94%	~$7,484	53%	27,000+
University of Texas at El Paso	960–1180	3.2	19–24	100%	~$9,450	39%	24,000+
California State University, East Bay	950–1150	3.2	18–24	76%	~$7,000	47%	14,000+
California State University, Los Angeles	950–1150	3.3	17–23	76%	~$6,782	47%	27,000+
California State University, Stanislaus	950–1150	3.3	18–24	89%	~$7,542	53%	10,000+
University of Houston-Downtown	950–1150	3.3	18–24	88%	~$6,848	22%	15,000+
Ferris State University	950–1150	3.3	19–24	81%	~$13,290	49%	14,000+
Madonna University	950–1150	3.3	19–24	93%	~$24,900	52%	3,000+
University of Providence	950–1150	3.3	19–24	64%	~$26,400	49%	1,000+
Benedict College	950–1150	3.3	16–22	68%	~$14,291	26%	2,100+
Bloomfield College	950–1150	2.7	17–23	78%	~$30,680	33%	1,800+
St. Andrews University	950–1150	3.1	21–26	65%	~$28,730	38%	600+
Ferrum College	950–1150	3.1	18–24	84%	~$36,250	35%	1,000+
Notre Dame College	950–1150	3.1	18–24	79%	~$30,160	38%	1,500+

Note: Tuition fees are approximate and pertain to in-state students. Graduation rates and enrollment figures are based on the most recent data available from official university sources.

These colleges have many programs and helpful services to support you. If you’re planning to apply, it’s a good idea to visit their websites or contact their admissions offices to get the latest info about what they need and what they offer.

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Latest SAT Exam Updates

Last updated: Jun 7, 2025

-> The next SAT 2025 Exam is going to be held on June 7, 2025. The Regular Registration Deadline for the same has ended on May 22, 2025 and the late registration deadline ended May 27, 2025.

-> According to the SAT Exam Schedule, the next fall semester SAT after the June exam is on August 23, 2025.

-> Top US Universities use SAT Scores to measure a student’s preparedness for college-level studies in a consistent and standardized way.

-> The candidates can attempt the SAT Practice Tests by Testbook that offers a suite of solutions for high schoolers who want to improve their SAT score above 1400.

Colleges That Accept 960 SAT Score FAQs

Is a 960 SAT score good?

A 960 SAT score is just below the national average, but it’s still a solid score. It shows you’re ready for college-level work. While it might not get you into the most competitive schools, it opens doors to many good colleges.

What colleges accept a 960 SAT score?

Many colleges accept a 960 SAT score, including schools like California State University, Fresno, University of Texas at El Paso, and San Francisco State University. These schools offer strong programs, good campus life, and support for students.

Should I retake the SAT if I scored a 960?

It can be a good idea to retake the SAT if you want to improve your score. Many students increase their score by 60-70 points when they retake the test. A higher score could make you a stronger candidate for more competitive schools.

Can I get scholarships with a 960 SAT score?

Yes, you can qualify for scholarships with a 960 SAT score! Some colleges offer merit-based scholarships for students with scores like this. For example, the University of Arizona offers up to $10,000 per year in scholarships.

How does a 960 SAT score compare to other students?

A 960 SAT score is around the 40th percentile, which means you did better than 40 out of every 100 students who took the SAT. It's not a top score, but it's still a good score that shows you have the basic skills needed for college.

Can I get into college with a 960 SAT score?

Yes! A 960 SAT score can get you into many colleges across the U.S. While it might not be enough for very competitive schools, there are plenty of colleges that will accept it and offer great programs.