Texas Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT

With a 1290 SAT, you are competitive at 83 four-year colleges in Texas (13 target, 2 reach, 68 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 27 ACT.

Colleges in Texas 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
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX	1250-1510	1380	27%	Medium
Baylor University Waco, TX	1200-1400	1300	51%	Medium
Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX	1150-1400	1275	57%	Medium
University of Houston Houston, TX	1160-1340	1250	74%	Medium
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX	1160-1410	1285	65%	Medium
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	1140-1350	1245	44%	Medium
University of Dallas Irving, TX	1120-1370	1245	53%	Medium
St. Mary's University San Antonio, TX	900-1310	1105	98%	Medium
Austin College Sherman, TX	1100-1310	1205	48%	Medium
Huston Tillotson University Austin, TX	800-1160	980	39%	Medium
Southwestern University Georgetown, TX	1130-1300	1215	43%	Medium
LeTourneau University Longview, TX	990-1330	1160	38%	Medium

View all 13 target colleges

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
Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX	1340-1490	1415	63%	Low
Trinity University San Antonio, TX	1340-1500	1420	26%	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
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	980-1200	1090	89%	High
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	1090-1280	1185	73%	High
University of North Texas Denton, TX	980-1230	1105	72%	High
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	1010-1240	1125	80%	High
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	930-1120	1025	90%	High
The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	1000-1220	1110	87%	High
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	800-1000	900	97%	High
Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX	970-1170	1070	94%	High
Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX	980-1160	1070	90%	High
Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX	1070-1270	1170	66%	High
Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX	860-1080	970	79%	High
Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX	960-1213	1086	89%	High

View all 68 safety colleges

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

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