Decoding Your SAT Score: Is 1170 a Good Score?

So you’ve scored 1170 on the SAT and plan to use your score to apply to colleges. You may wonder, “Is 1170 a good SAT score?” In this article, we’ll discover that yes, 1170 is a very respectable score, and we'll explore what that means for your college aspirations. The truth is, it depends on your personal college goals and where you want to apply. We have the complete guide for you here. On this page, you'll find statistics about your score and what colleges you're competitive for. Can you get into your top choice colleges?

Here are the topics we’ll cover:

Is 1170 on the SAT Better Than Average?
1170 SAT Score Percentile
Is 1170 a Competitive SAT Score?
What Colleges Can I Get Into with an 1170 SAT Score?
Is 1170 a Good SAT Score for More Competitive Schools?
How Does 1170 on the SAT Compare with Average SAT Scores of Top Schools?
Are There 1170 SAT Score Scholarships?
Is 1170 a Good SAT Score for a Junior?
Is 1170 a Good PSAT Score?
Key Takeaways: Is 1170 a Good SAT Score?
What’s Next?

Let’s begin by seeing how an 1170 SAT score compares with worldwide SAT statistics.

Above Average: Placing Your 1170 SAT Score

One question many people have about their SAT scores is, “Is my SAT score better than average?” So, let’s see what the answer is for an 1170 SAT score.

According to the College Board, since the SAT changed to having two sections in 2016, the average SAT score is between 1024 and 1068. So, we can say with confidence that 1170 is a better-than-average SAT score.

Understanding Your Percentile

An 1170 SAT score, according to the College Board, was a 73rd percentile score in 2024. That means that 1170 is higher than the scores of 73 percent of SAT test-takers. So, 1170 is higher than the great majority of SAT scores.

Is 1170 a Competitive SAT Score?

Whether 1170 is a competitive SAT score for you depends on what colleges you plan to apply to. It may also depend on whether you want to use your SAT score to get a scholarship. So, let’s consider some different scenarios.

College Options with an 1170 SAT Score

An 1170 SAT score may be high enough to get into some well-known private colleges and universities. For instance, it may be high enough for the University of Tampa, whose 2024 SAT middle-50% range was 1120-1290. It also may be sufficient for Baylor University, whose 2024 middle-50% range was 1160-1340. However, 1170 is below the average SAT score for these schools. So, other parts of your application would have to be strong for you to get into those schools with an 1170 SAT score.

The average SAT scores at many state colleges and universities tend to range from the 1100s to the upper 1200s. Some are under 1100, and others are well above 1300. For example, the middle-50% SAT score range at the University of Colorado ranges from 1150 to 1390. Similarly, the middle 50% of scores at the University of Alabama range from 1120 to 1370. So, an 1170 SAT score is sufficient for getting into either of those schools and other respected public colleges and universities.

Also, many top 200 schools would be happy to admit an applicant with an 1170 SAT score. So, with an 1170 SAT score, you have a choice of many relatively high-ranking and well-regarded schools.

Read also: Computer Science College Guide

Aiming Higher: Top-Tier Universities

To see whether 1170 is a good SAT score for more competitive schools, let’s consider the SAT score statistics of some top 50 schools. The middle-50% range of SAT scores for the 2024 entering class at Harvard is 1460 to 1550. For a recent entering class at Georgia Tech, the middle-50% range was slightly wider, at 1400 to 1550. The middle 50 percent ranges of SAT scores at other top 50 schools are similar to these.

Now, it’s true that these schools do accept applicants with SAT scores below the middle-50% range. Still, 1170 is significantly lower than the bottom bound of any of the top 50 schools’ middle-50% ranges. So, unless there is something particularly strong about another part of your profile, to get into a top 50 school, you’ll need an SAT score higher than 1170.

The Top 20: What Score Do You Need?

In recent years, the average SAT score at the top 20 colleges has been around 1500. As a result, 1400 could be considered the minimum SAT score you’d want to apply to a top school.

So, if currently your highest SAT score is 1170 and you want to apply to top 20 schools, then your move is to prepare some more so you can increase your SAT score. To get into top 20 schools, a smart move is to aim for an SAT score of at least 1450.

Scholarship Opportunities with an 1170 SAT Score

For most scholarships whose awarding processes include consideration of SAT scores, you need an SAT score of at least 1200 to be eligible. However, there are some scholarships that you can be eligible for with an SAT score of 1170. For instance, the minimum SAT score for eligibility for a Texas State University Achievement scholarship is 1160. (There are other requirements as well.) Another example is the New Mexico Scholars Program, which requires an SAT score of 1140 or higher.

Read also: Becoming a Better Student

Scoring 1170 as a Junior: What It Means

If you took the SAT for the first time as a junior and plan to take the SAT again as a senior, I have good news for you. The College Board reports that two-thirds of students who retake the SAT score higher on their retakes. Also, the average score increase on a retake is around 40 points. So, students who scored 1170 on the SAT as juniors typically score above 1200 on retakes as seniors.

An SAT score above 1200 works for getting into many schools and is high enough for eligibility for numerous scholarships. So, if you scored 1170 as a junior and will retake the SAT, you’re off to a good start.

PSAT Performance: A Stepping Stone

The average PSAT score for tenth graders is 920, and the average for eleventh graders is 1010. So, an 1170 PSAT score is significantly above average. Also, for tenth graders, 1170 is a 90th percentile PSAT score. For eleventh graders, it’s an 80th percentile score. So, we can see that 1170 is a relatively strong PSAT score.

On another note, students typically score 60 points higher on the SAT than the PSAT, without additional SAT test prep. Also, students who prepare for the SAT on their own or by taking a prep course see even larger increases. For example, on average, students who prepare for the SAT for 20 hours score 115 points higher on the SAT than on the PSAT. So, an 1170 PSAT score is a good starting point for eventually scoring high on the SAT.

Key Takeaways: Is 1170 a Good SAT Score?

Here is what we’ve learned about an 1170 SAT score.

1170 on the SAT may be sufficient for getting into some top 100 private colleges and universities, but it is below average for those schools.
An 1170 SAT score is sufficient for getting into some relatively high-ranking state schools.
1170 is generally not a high enough SAT score to get into more competitive schools or top 20 schools.
You can be eligible for some scholarships with an SAT score of 1170.

If you’ve scored 1170 on the SAT, you can certainly get into a school where you’ll get a good education. If you want to attend a more competitive school, you can consider 1170 a good starting point. Then, prepare more for the SAT so you can score higher.

What’s Next?

For tips on how to increase your SAT Math score, see our post on how to prepare for SAT Math.

Also, if you’re having trouble focusing on your SAT preparation, you can read our post on how to motivate yourself to study for the SAT. The PSAT 8/9 is a diagnostic test that tells you about your strengths and opportunities for growth. The PSAT 10 and PSAT/NMSQT are benchmark tests that can track your progress throughout high school and give you an idea of how you may score on the SAT when you take it in 11th or 12th grade. By taking the PSAT/NMSQT, your scores will be shared with National Merit Scholarship Corporation, the cosponsor of the test, who will determine whether you qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships. Further information about the National Merit Scholarship Program is in Understanding PSAT/NMSQT Scores for Students and Families. Finally, a good SAT score is one that helps you get admitted to a college you want to go to! Don’t ever count yourself out from applying to a school, even if your think your score is low compared to the school’s average. Your SAT score is only one piece of the puzzle. The average SAT score is around 1050, so if your score is higher than that, it’s above average. A score of 1350 or higher is in the top 10% of SAT test takers. Even if your score is lower than you’d like it to be, there are many amazing colleges and universities around the world looking for students like you. Each school has its own score expectations, and a score that may be average at a highly selective school might be in the top percentiles at another.

Beyond the Score: Holistic Admissions

It's important to remember that each college has its own criteria and expectations regarding test scores, and there is no universal answer to whether this score will be sufficient for every college on your list. A "decent" college can also vary depending on what you're looking for in terms of academics, campus life, and location. While your 1170 SAT score may be below average for some highly competitive schools, it would be within the range for many state universities and liberal arts colleges. To give yourself a better sense of your chances, research the middle 50% SAT score range for the specific schools you're interested in. These ranges provide an idea of the typical scores for previously admitted students. For example, if a school's middle 50% SAT range is 1050-1250, your score of 1170 would fall right in that range, indicating you'd be considered competitive academically.

Keep in mind that many colleges also use a holistic review process when evaluating applicants. Admissions committees will consider other factors beyond test scores, such as your grades, coursework, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. You can also experiment with entering slightly higher SAT scores, to see how much, say, a 1210 would raise your chances at your top choice schools.

Finally, some institutions are currently operating under test-optional policies, which means they do not require SAT or ACT scores as part of their admission process. Research the schools you are interested in to determine if they are test-optional, as this policy might work to your advantage if your test score isn't as strong as the rest of your application.

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