Colleges for a 1280 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1280 SAT score?

1280 SAT Score, 86% Percentile

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 1280 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 324 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 1280 SAT score. However, it's crucial to remember that a good SAT score is not the sole criterion for admission. In fact, may colleges are now test optional. It's equally significant to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) that aligns with the college's expectations for incoming students. The creation of this list is rooted in a comprehensive analysis of SAT scores from students admitted to all U.S. colleges

Is a 1280 SAT good?

Yes, you have a lot of opportunities at very good schools with a score of 1280. It situates you in the top 86th percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your significantly above average performance in answering questions in the Math and Evidence-Based Reading & Writing sections of the exam. The SAT is scored out of a maximum of 1600 and a minimum of 400, meaning your 1280 score represents 80% of the total possible points. If a 1280 does not meet the requirements of your preferred college, you might want to consider enrolling in a test prep course to potentially enhance your score.

Demographic comparisons for a 1280

Let's examine how a 1280 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 1280 is 213 points (20%) higher than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 1280 is 226 points (21%) higher than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 1280 is 168 points (15%) higher than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 1280 is 346 points (37%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 1280 is 313 points (32%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 1280 is 41 points (3%) higher than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 1280 is 330 points (35%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 1280 is 353 points (38%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 1280 is 164 points (15%) higher than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 1280 is 220 points higher than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 1280 SAT score?

A 1280 on the SAT translates to a 27 on the ACT according to the concordance provided by the College Board and ACT. It's important to note that not all colleges disclose admission data for both the SAT and ACT. As such, we recommend checking our listings for each test to identify schools with similar academic profiles.

What percentile is a 1280 SAT score?

Scoring a 1280 on the SAT places you in the 86th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 86% of all test takers. To put this in perspective, about 1.7 million students sit for the SAT each year. Thus, with your score, you've outperformed about 1,462,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 238,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

What are the best colleges can I get into with a 1280?

Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.


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324 results nationwide

List of 1280 SAT Colleges

Displaying 324 colleges where your 1280 SAT score is within the typical range of past accepted students. You have a chance at being accepted but admission may be challenging at more selective colleges. Hint: Filter by admission chance for 1,098 target schools (good chance), 180 reach (harder) schools and 3,102 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Delaware
D
Newark, DE

University of Delaware

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1250 Average SAT Composite

 

#1 Best Value in Delaware

  • 23,996enrollment
  • $19,747net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1155-1340SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 15

Syracuse University
S
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1310 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 21,772enrollment
  • $47,177net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Jan 1

George Mason University
G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1250 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 38,628enrollment
  • $18,285net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Feb 1

Miami University
M
Oxford, OH

Miami University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1270 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 19,264enrollment
  • $24,345net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.85Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Feb 1

University of Oregon
O
Eugene, OR

University of Oregon

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1190 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 22,257enrollment
  • $17,646net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jan 15

Indiana University Bloomington
I
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1270 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 45,328enrollment
  • $13,191net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Oregon State University
O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1250 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 33,193enrollment
  • $21,444net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Feb 1

Iowa State University
I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1210 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,708enrollment
  • $16,105net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1083-1330SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance94%

University of Massachusetts Amherst
M
Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1360 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 32,045enrollment
  • $22,505net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1460SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Jan 15

University of San Francisco
S
San Francisco, CA

University of San Francisco

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1290 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,034enrollment
  • $42,801net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jan 15

United States Air Force Academy
A
USAFA, Colorado

United States Air Force Academy

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

1350 Average SAT Composite

 

 

  • 4,181enrollment
  • -net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1208-1490SAT range
  • 29-34ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance9%

Applications Due Dec 31

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
P
Pittsburgh, PA

University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

1360 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 33,230enrollment
  • $22,346net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1470SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance56%

James Madison University
J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1230 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,166enrollment
  • $18,592net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1310SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Illinois at Chicago
I
Chicago, IL

University of Illinois at Chicago

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1200 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 34,199enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Feb 1

SUNY at Albany
A
Albany, NY

SUNY at Albany

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1190 Average SAT Composite

 

#9 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 17,075enrollment
  • $17,486net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Feb 1

Loyola Marymount University
L
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1340 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,184enrollment
  • $48,758net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance36%

Applications Due Jan 15

University of South Florida Main Campus
S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

1240 Average SAT Composite

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 49,708enrollment
  • $10,004net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due May 1

Elon University
E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1230 Average SAT Composite

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,127enrollment
  • $39,401net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jan 10

FAQs

Is a 1280 a good SAT score?

Yes, you have a lot of opportunities at very good schools with a score of 1280. The score puts you in the top 86th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 1280 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 1280 SAT score?

The University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University and Clemson University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 1280 SAT score.

What percentile is 1280 on the SAT?

A 1280 ranks in the top 86th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 1280 SAT?

A 1280 converts to a 27 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 27 ACT score.