Colorado Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT

With a 1290 SAT, you are competitive at 20 four-year colleges in Colorado (4 target, 2 reach, 14 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 27 ACT.

Colleges in Colorado for a 1290 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 1290 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO	1240-1430	1335	78%	Medium
Colorado State University Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO	1080-1290	1185	89%	Medium
University of Denver Denver, CO	1240-1410	1325	78%	Medium
Colorado College Colorado Springs, CO	1230-1460	1345	18%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average SAT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, Colorado	1230-1440	1335	14%	Low
Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO	1320-1480	1400	61%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 1290; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Northern Colorado Greeley, CO	950-1190	1070	86%	High
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, CO	1010-1220	1115	97%	High
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO	980-1220	1100	75%	High
Adams State University Alamosa, CO	910-1130	1020	100%	High
Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO	880-1130	1005	99%	High
Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction, CO	930-1160	1045	82%	High
Regis University Denver, CO	1020-1220	1120	86%	High
Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO	870-1100	985	95%	High
Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO	1163-1353	1258	100%	High
Fort Lewis College Durango, CO	1010-1210	1110	77%	High
Colorado Mountain College Glenwood Springs, CO	-	-	100%	High
Naropa University Boulder, CO	-	-	100%	High

View all 14 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1290 SAT in Colorado

See all colleges nationally for a 1290 SAT

1290 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1290 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
1230	26
1250	26
1270	27
1290	27
1310	28
1330	29
1350	29

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026