Colleges for a 1540 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1540 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 1540 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 168 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 1540 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 U.S. colleges

Is a 1540 SAT good?

Absolutely. You're amongst the truly elite and should qualify to get into any top tier school with a score of 1540. It situates you in the top 99th percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your nearly perfect 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 1540 score represents 96% of the total possible points. If a 1540 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 1540

Let's examine how a 1540 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 1540 is 473 points (44%) higher than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 1540 is 486 points (46%) higher than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 1540 is 428 points (38%) higher than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 1540 is 606 points (65%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 1540 is 573 points (59%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 1540 is 301 points (24%) higher than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 1540 is 590 points (62%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 1540 is 613 points (66%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 1540 is 424 points (38%) higher than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 1540 is 480 points higher than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 1540 SAT score?

A 1540 on the SAT translates to a 35 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 1540 SAT score?

Scoring a 1540 on the SAT places you in the 99th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 99% 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 1,683,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 17,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 1540 Public Private 4 year

168 results nationwide

List of 1540 SAT Colleges

Displaying 168 colleges where your 1540 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 279 target schools (good chance), 147 reach (harder) schools and 4,593 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Harvard University
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H
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

1540 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,631enrollment
  • $19,491net price
  • 3%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance3%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stanford University
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S
Stanford, CA

Stanford University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

1540 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,283enrollment
  • $18,279net price
  • 4%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance4%

Applications Due Jan 2

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University of Florida
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F
Gainesville, FL

University of Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1400 Average SAT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in America

  • 55,211enrollment
  • $11,740net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1490SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due Mar 1

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The University of Texas at Austin
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T
Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1370 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,384enrollment
  • $17,434net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1500SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Michigan
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M
Ann Arbor, MI

University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

1440 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,225enrollment
  • $19,318net price
  • 18%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance31%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1420 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,430enrollment
  • $16,999net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance17%

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Southern California
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S
Los Angeles, CA

University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1500 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 48,945enrollment
  • $36,808net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance19%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Miami
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M
Coral Gables, FL

University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

1400 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 19,402enrollment
  • $36,467net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance41%

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of Georgia
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G
Athens, GA

University of Georgia

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1320 Average SAT Score

 

#3 Best Colleges in Georgia

  • 40,607enrollment
  • $17,180net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1420SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 1

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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N
Chapel Hill, NC

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1440 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 31,705enrollment
  • $10,614net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
  • 3.83Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance29%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Virginia Tech
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V
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1340 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 38,170enrollment
  • $19,301net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1430SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jan 15

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New York University
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N
New York, NY

New York University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1520 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 59,144enrollment
  • $29,499net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance15%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Duke University
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D
Durham, NC

Duke University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

1530 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,023enrollment
  • $23,694net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 3

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Vanderbilt University
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V
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

1530 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,710enrollment
  • $25,606net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance8%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Princeton University
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P
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1540 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,842enrollment
  • $18,698net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.93Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johns Hopkins University
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J
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1550 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 31,275enrollment
  • $24,034net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1520-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 3

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Boston University
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B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

1430 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,714enrollment
  • $27,829net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Jan 4

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Ohio State University
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O
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1400 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 60,540enrollment
  • $19,582net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.76Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1540 SAT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 1540 a good SAT score?

Absolutely. You're amongst the truly elite and should qualify to get into any top tier school with a score of 1540. The score puts you in the top 99th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 1540 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 1540 SAT score?

Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Florida are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 1540 SAT score.

What percentile is 1540 on the SAT?

A 1540 ranks in the top 99th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 1540 SAT?

A 1540 converts to a 35 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 35 ACT score.