Colleges for a 1280 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1280 SAT score?

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 379 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.

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SAT 1280 Public Private 4 year

379 results nationwide

List of 1280 SAT Colleges

Displaying 379 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 1,278 target schools (good chance), 195 reach (harder) schools and 3,402 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Iowa
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I
Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,015enrollment
  • $19,587net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Riverside
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C
Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,809enrollment
  • $14,487net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Chapman University
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C
Orange, CA

Chapman University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1300 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,014enrollment
  • $45,033net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1400SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jan 15

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College of Charleston
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C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1220 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Quinnipiac University
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Q
Hamden, CT

Quinnipiac University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1210 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 8,788enrollment
  • $39,051net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Utah
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U
Salt Lake City, UT

University of Utah

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1290 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Utah

  • 34,734enrollment
  • $12,399net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Apr 1

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Loyola University Chicago
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L
Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

1280 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 16,899enrollment
  • $37,511net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University at Buffalo
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U
Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

1290 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,099enrollment
  • $18,524net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1380SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance67%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Christian University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,273enrollment
  • $44,190net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 41,155enrollment
  • $20,149net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Mar 1

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DePaul University
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D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 20,917enrollment
  • $32,151net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY Hunter College
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H
New York, NY

CUNY Hunter College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 22,970enrollment
  • $4,848net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance53%

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Mercer University
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M
Macon, GA

Mercer University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1280 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Value Colleges in Georgia

  • 8,889enrollment
  • $22,087net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,948enrollment
  • $29,589net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Connecticut
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C
Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1330 Average SAT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,003enrollment
  • $23,985net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1440SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance48%

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1230 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 28,308enrollment
  • $22,601net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1160 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,082enrollment
  • $21,294net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jan 18

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Emerson College
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E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1340 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,891enrollment
  • $51,432net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Feb 20

Compare Calculate my chances 

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.