Pennsylvania Colleges for a 1530 on the SAT

With a 1530 SAT, you are competitive at 108 four-year colleges in Pennsylvania (8 target, 4 reach, 96 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 35 ACT.

Colleges in Pennsylvania for a 1530 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 1530 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Villanova University Villanova, PA	1395-1510	1452	27%	Medium
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA	1310-1470	1390	29%	Medium
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA	1370-1500	1435	26%	Medium
Lafayette College Easton, PA	1350-1500	1425	31%	Medium
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA	1270-1460	1365	39%	Medium
Dickinson College Carlisle, PA	1310-1460	1385	42%	Medium
Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA	1310-1463	1386	28%	Medium
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA	1280-1510	1395	29%	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
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA	1510-1570	1540	5%	Low
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA	1500-1570	1535	12%	Low
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA	1490-1560	1525	7%	Low
Haverford College Haverford, PA	1460-1550	1505	12%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 1530; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Penn State Main Campus University Park, PA	1240-1420	1330	61%	High
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA	1280-1460	1370	58%	High
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA	1240-1440	1340	79%	High
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA	1100-1270	1185	78%	High
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA	1120-1310	1215	91%	High
University of Scranton Scranton, PA	1160-1318	1239	81%	High
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA	1180-1340	1260	84%	High
Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA	1250-1410	1330	72%	High
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA	990-1210	1100	87%	High
La Salle University Philadelphia, PA	1050-1268	1159	97%	High
Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA	820-960	890	66%	High
Arcadia University Glenside, PA	1065-1265	1165	80%	High

View all 96 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1530 SAT in Pennsylvania

See all colleges nationally for a 1530 SAT

1530 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1530 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
1470	33
1490	34
1510	34
1530	35
1550	35
1570	36
1590	36

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

Published: August 19, 2026