2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

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The median SAT ranking is a measure of the overall academic performance of students on campus. It's important to note that students often feel most comfortable on campuses where their own academic performance is close to the average performance of other students. Students who fall either far above or below the median can sometimes feel out of place amongst their peers.

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Rank	Institution	Est. Median SAT	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo	1321	31.32	1,230 – 1,420	17453	72358	#1 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Also known as Cal Poly, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is one of two polytechnics in the school system. The university’s motto is “Discere Faciendo,” which is Latin for “Learn by Doing.” Cal Poly participates in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big Sky Conference. Known as the Mustangs, they wear green and gold. Est. Median SAT 1,321 Acceptance Rate 31.3% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,453 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $72,358
2	University of California-Davis	1290	41.83	1,180 – 1,420	17270	58461	#2 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference University of California-Davis Davis, CA The University of California – Davis is the seventh campus within the University of California system. It was originally an agricultural branch when founded in 1905, and was known as University Farm. Famous alumni have included the CEO of Chevron, John S....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,290 Acceptance Rate 41.8% SAT Score 1,180 – 1,420 Avg. Net Price $17,270 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $58,461
3	The University of Montana	1225	95.86	1,140 – 1,310	17370	35729	#3 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference The University of Montana Missoula, MT Located along the Clark Fork River, The University of Montana's Grizzlies and Lady Griz compete in the NCAA Division I-FCS Big Sky Conference. Alumni include Colin Meloy, J.K. Simmons, and Carroll O’Connor, as well as numerous professional athletes, scientists, and politicians. Est. Median SAT 1,225 Acceptance Rate 95.9% SAT Score 1,140 – 1,310 Avg. Net Price $17,370 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $35,729
4	Montana State University	1184	82.14	1,080 – 1,290	20142	44757	#4 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Montana State University Bozeman, MT “Mountains and Mines” is the motto of Montana State University. In the last admissions cycle, the school received 21,700 applications and accepted 82% of them. Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Business/Commerce, General, and Mechanical Engineering are the most popular undergraduate majors....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,184 1.7% Acceptance Rate 82.1% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $20,142 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $44,757
5	University of Idaho	1119	75.53	1,000 – 1,240	15111	42602	#5 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference University of Idaho Moscow, ID “A Legacy of Leading” is the motto of the University of Idaho. Founded in 1889, it was the only university in the state until 1963. The Vandals compete in Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), among others....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,119 2.8% Acceptance Rate 75.5% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $15,111 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $42,602
6	Portland State University	1094	90.87	970 – 1,220	10195	46937	#6 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Portland State University Portland, OR Located in Portland, Portland State University accepts 91% of applicants and requires $60 for undergraduate applications and $67 for graduate applications. About 60% of students at Portland State University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Est. Median SAT 1,094 Acceptance Rate 90.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,220 Avg. Net Price $10,195 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,937
7	Northern Arizona University	1090	89.61	990 – 1,190	16371	47308	#7 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ Northern Arizona University's most popular major is Information Technology, though there are 176 degree programs available. 98% of students receive institutional grant aid, averaging $9,702 each. The Access2Excellence program covers full tuition for qualifying in-state students. Est. Median SAT 1,090 Acceptance Rate 89.6% SAT Score 990 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $16,371 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,308
8	University of Northern Colorado	1085	85.85	970 – 1,200	19376	43756	#8 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO Also known as UNC, the university’s motto is "Sapientia in aeternum est" or “Wisdom is eternal.” 93% of UNC students receive institutional grant aid—$5,393 on average. Klawz the Bear is the school's mascot, and their colors are navy blue and gold. Notable alumni of UNC include musicians, champion athletes, and politicians. Est. Median SAT 1,085 0.5% Acceptance Rate 85.9% SAT Score 970 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $19,376 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,756
9	California State University-Sacramento	1035	93.99	930 – 1,140	10110	51074	#9 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference California State University-Sacramento Sacramento, CA Based in Sacramento, California State University-Sacramento accepted 94% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They request $70 for undergraduate applications, but some schools offer fee waivers. About 57% of attending students currently receive institutional grant aid. At California State......Read more Est. Median SAT 1,035 Acceptance Rate 94.0% SAT Score 930 – 1,140 Avg. Net Price $10,110 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,074
10	Eastern Washington University	995	90.75	890 – 1,100	14767	46469	#10 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA Found in Cheney, Eastern Washington University accepted 91% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle. They require $60 for undergraduate applications. Approximately 70% of students attending Eastern Washington University currently receive grant aid from the school....Read more Est. Median SAT 995 Acceptance Rate 90.8% SAT Score 890 – 1,100 Avg. Net Price $14,767 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,469
11	Idaho State University	0	0	--	12174	41377	#11 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $12,174 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,377
12	Weber State University	0	0	--	11333	47061	#12 2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference Weber State University Ogden, UT Est. Median SAT -- Acceptance Rate -- SAT Score -- Avg. Net Price $11,333 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $47,061

School data is from 2023–2024 (top 500 results shown) for schools with at least 100 undergraduate students.

2026 College Rankings

Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

About

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,321

31.3%

1,230 – 1,420

$17,453

$72,358

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,290

41.8%

1,180 – 1,420

$17,270

$58,461

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,225

95.9%

1,140 – 1,310

$17,370

$35,729

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,184 1.7%

82.1%

1,080 – 1,290

$20,142

$44,757

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,119 2.8%

75.5%

1,000 – 1,240

$15,111

$42,602

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,094

90.9%

970 – 1,220

$10,195

$46,937

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,090

89.6%

990 – 1,190

$16,371

$47,308

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,085 0.5%

85.9%

970 – 1,200

$19,376

$43,756

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

1,035

94.0%

930 – 1,140

$10,110

$51,074

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

995

90.8%

890 – 1,100

$14,767

$46,469

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

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$12,174

$41,377

2026 Top Colleges Ranked by Est. Median SAT – Big Sky Conference

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$11,333

$47,061

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1,184
1.7%

1,119
2.8%

1,085
0.5%