North Carolina Colleges for a 1600 on the SAT

With a 1600 SAT, you are competitive at 56 four-year colleges in North Carolina (3 target, 3 reach, 50 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 36 ACT.

Colleges in North Carolina for a 1600 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 1600 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC	1300-1470	1385	42%	Medium
Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC	1410-1520	1465	22%	Medium
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC	1140-1370	1255	30%	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
Duke University Durham, NC	1500-1570	1535	6%	Low
Davidson College Davidson, NC	1400-1530	1465	13%	Low
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	1390-1530	1460	15%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 1600; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	1070-1240	1155	89%	High
Appalachian State University Boone, NC	1120-1280	1200	90%	High
Elon University Elon, NC	1130-1280	1205	66%	High
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC	1140-1330	1235	80%	High
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC	1080-1270	1175	82%	High
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	1020-1190	1105	50%	High
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC	1230-1340	1285	64%	High
Wingate University Wingate, NC	1010-1210	1110	91%	High
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	980-1100	1040	87%	High
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	830-1020	925	78%	High
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC	1030-1230	1130	87%	High
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC	1150-1355	1252	89%	High

View all 50 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1600 SAT in North Carolina

See all colleges nationally for a 1600 SAT

1600 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1600 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score	ACT Equivalent
1540	35
1560	35
1580	36
1600	36

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

Published: August 19, 2026