California Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT

What California colleges accept a 1290 SAT score?

These California colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 1290 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 21 California colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 1290 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 California colleges

Is a 1290 SAT good?

Yes, you have a lot of opportunities at very good schools with a score of 1290. It situates you in the top 87th 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 1290 score represents 81% of the total possible points. If a 1290 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 1290

Let's examine how a 1290 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

Male: A 1290 is 223 points (21%) higher than the average male SAT score of 1067
Female: A 1290 is 236 points (22%) higher than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

White: A 1290 is 178 points (16%) higher than the average white SAT score of 1112
Black: A 1290 is 356 points (38%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
Hispanic: A 1290 is 323 points (33%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
Asian: A 1290 is 51 points (4%) higher than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
Pacific Islander: A 1290 is 340 points (36%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
American Indian/Alaska Native: A 1290 is 363 points (39%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
Two or more races: A 1290 is 174 points (16%) higher than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

All Students: A 1290 is 230 points higher than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 1290 SAT score?

A 1290 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 1290 SAT score?

Scoring a 1290 on the SAT places you in the 87th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 87% 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 1,479,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 221,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

SAT 1290 California Public Private 4 year

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List of 1290 SAT Colleges

Displaying 21 colleges where your 1290 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 75 target schools (good chance), 15 reach (harder) schools and 231 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

San Diego State University

S

San Diego, CA

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San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1200 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in California

37,402enrollment
$13,017net price
39%acceptance rate
1090-1300SAT range
22-29ACT range
3.82Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California Irvine

C

Irvine, CA

credit: Ariane Middel / license

University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1330 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in America

35,937enrollment
$14,033net price
21%acceptance rate
1230-1430SAT range
26-33ACT range
3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance17%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California Santa Barbara

C

Santa Barbara, CA

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University of California Santa Barbara

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1350 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in America

26,420enrollment
$16,874net price
26%acceptance rate
1230-1460SAT range
28-34ACT range
3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance21%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California Davis

C

Davis, CA

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University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1280 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in America

39,679enrollment
$17,385net price
37%acceptance rate
1160-1400SAT range
25-33ACT range
4.0Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance38%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

Pepperdine University

P

Malibu, CA

credit: Matt McGee / license

Pepperdine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1380 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in California

10,030enrollment
$47,804net price
49%acceptance rate
1285-1480SAT range
28-32ACT range
3.74Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California San Diego

C

La Jolla, CA

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University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1380 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in America

42,006enrollment
$16,111net price
24%acceptance rate
1270-1480SAT range
28-34ACT range
3.82Estimated Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance16%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of San Francisco

S

San Francisco, CA

credit: Michael Fraley / license

University of San Francisco

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1310 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in California

9,688enrollment
$42,953net price
71%acceptance rate
1210-1410SAT range
27-31ACT range
3.57Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances

Santa Clara University

S

Santa Clara, CA

credit: Ed Bierman / license

Santa Clara University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

1390 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in California

9,178enrollment
$50,551net price
52%acceptance rate
1290-1480SAT range
29-33ACT range
3.67Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance36%

Applications Due Jan 7

Compare Calculate my chances

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

C

San Luis Obispo, CA

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1320 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in California

22,000enrollment
$19,184net price
30%acceptance rate
1220-1410SAT range
26-32ACT range
4.0Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance27%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

Chapman University

C

Orange, CA

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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 1290 SAT

Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California Santa Cruz

C

Santa Cruz, CA

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University of California Santa Cruz

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in California

19,478enrollment
$17,975net price
47%acceptance rate
1160-1360SAT range
25-33ACT range
3.63Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of the Pacific

T

Stockton, CA

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University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1270 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

6,277enrollment
$28,164net price
93%acceptance rate
1120-1423SAT range
25-33ACT range
3.58Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances

Point Loma Nazarene University

P

San Diego, CA

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Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

4,319enrollment
$34,933net price
82%acceptance rate
1170-1350SAT range
22-30ACT range
3.65Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances

University of La Verne

L

La Verne, CA

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University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

5,662enrollment
$25,103net price
74%acceptance rate
970-1303SAT range
18-25ACT range
3.24Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance84%

Compare Calculate my chances

Whittier College

W

Whittier, CA

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Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

1,192enrollment
$28,368net price
75%acceptance rate
1140-1340SAT range
24-30ACT range
3.61Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance81%

Compare Calculate my chances

Westmont College

W

Santa Barbara, CA

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1370 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

1,284enrollment
$33,112net price
82%acceptance rate
1280-1458SAT range
30-33ACT range
3.59Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances

Biola University

B

La Mirada, CA

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Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

5,387enrollment
$31,522net price
57%acceptance rate
1105-1365SAT range
23-30ACT range
3.61Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance63%

Compare Calculate my chances

California Lutheran University

C

Thousand Oaks, CA

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California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

3,615enrollment
$30,416net price
87%acceptance rate
1150-1320SAT range
26-30ACT range
3.73Avg GPA

Your 1290 SAT

Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances