Washington Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT

With a 1290 SAT, you are competitive at 32 four-year colleges in Washington (9 target, 1 reach, 22 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 27 ACT.

Colleges in Washington 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 Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	1200-1453	1326	39%	Medium
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA	1150-1390	1270	93%	Medium
Seattle University Seattle, WA	1200-1430	1315	77%	Medium
Gonzaga University Spokane, WA	1190-1380	1285	82%	Medium
Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA	1050-1320	1185	83%	Medium
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA	1170-1380	1275	72%	Medium
Northwest University Kirkland, WA	1040-1350	1195	83%	Medium
University of Washington Bothell Campus Bothell, WA	1170-1470	1320	91%	Medium
Whitworth University Spokane, WA	1090-1330	1210	90%	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
Whitman College Walla Walla, WA	1310-1480	1395	38%	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
Washington State University Pullman, WA	1020-1210	1115	87%	High
Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA	930-1150	1040	91%	High
Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA	880-1090	985	91%	High
Bellevue College Bellevue, WA	-	-	100%	High
University of Washington Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA	960-1180	1070	83%	High
Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA	1040-1260	1150	78%	High
The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA	1035-1253	1144	96%	High
Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA	1025-1230	1127	90%	High
Walla Walla University College Place, WA	-	-	100%	High
Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA	-	-	100%	High
Antioch University Seattle Seattle, WA	-	-	100%	High
City University of Seattle Seattle, WA	-	-	100%	High

View all 22 safety colleges

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

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