1280 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into

You're looking at a score that puts you in range for big-name publics like Florida State and Virginia Tech. A 1280 lands around the 89th percentile, and more than 1,500 colleges match this score. That's a strong score with a lot of solid options.

How 1280 SAT Compares Nationally

  • Percentile: 87th - higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.
  • National average: Above 1050 - you're above the typical score.
  • ACT equivalent: ~27 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
  • College options: Competitive at 1,513 schools (457 target, 67 reach, 989 safety).

Is a 1280 SAT Score Good?

Yes, a 1280 SAT is a good score, and it already overlaps the middle 50% at places like UT Austin (1250-1510) and Clemson (1240-1410).

You are well above the national average, so this is not a number you need to hide. University of Florida (1320-1480) and Ohio State (1310-1480) usually look for higher scores, so those stay tougher to get into.

Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations along with the test. A 1280 will not fix a weak file, but a strong one can help even when the SAT is only one piece.

Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1280 SAT

University of Georgia, Penn State, and Arizona State all have ranges that include a 1280, so you have a good shot there. UCLA and NC State usually enroll students with higher scores, which makes them harder to get into. The tables below sort the rest into good-fit schools, longer shots, and likely backups.

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

A 1280 lines up with the middle 50% at Auburn (1260-1390) and Michigan State (1180-1360). You have a good shot at both.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Austin, TX

 1250-1510 1380 27% Medium

Tallahassee, FL

 1270-1410 1340 24% Medium

Clemson, SC

 1240-1410 1325 38% Medium

Tempe, AZ

 1100-1320 1210 90% Medium

Athens, GA

 1270-1480 1375 38% Medium

University Park, PA

 1240-1420 1330 61% Medium

Blacksburg, VA

 1280-1450 1365 55% Medium

East Lansing, MI

 1180-1360 1270 85% Medium

Tuscaloosa, AL

 1170-1400 1285 77% Medium

Orlando, FL

 1200-1350 1275 40% Medium

San Diego, CA

 1090-1300 1195 36% Medium

Auburn, AL

 1260-1390 1325 46% Medium
View all 457 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Wisconsin (1380-1520) and Maryland (1400-1530) usually post middle 50% bands well above 1280. You can still apply, but they are tougher to get into.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Gainesville, FL

 1320-1480 1400 24% Low

Ann Arbor, MI

 1360-1530 1445 16% Low

Los Angeles, CA

 1300-1530 1415 9% Low

Coral Gables, FL

 1320-1480 1400 19% Low

Chapel Hill, NC

 1390-1530 1460 15% Low

Columbus, OH

 1310-1480 1395 61% Low

College Park, MD

 1400-1530 1465 45% Low

Madison, WI

 1380-1520 1450 45% Low

Raleigh, NC

 1300-1470 1385 42% Low

Villanova, PA

 1395-1510 1452 27% Low

Berkeley, CA

 1310-1530 1420 11% Low

Washington, DC

 1390-1550 1470 13% Low
View all 67 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Your 1280 is clearly above the middle 50% at Washington State (1020-1210) and West Virginia University (1010-1220). Odds look strong, and you have hundreds of options in this group.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Greenville, NC

 1070-1240 1155 89% High

San Marcos, TX

 980-1200 1090 89% High

San Jose, CA

 1010-1240 1125 85% High

Boca Raton, FL

 1040-1200 1120 66% High

San Francisco, CA

 930-1130 1030 96% High

Pullman, WA

 1020-1210 1115 87% High

Savannah, GA

 1030-1270 1150 83% High

Fort Myers, FL

 1040-1200 1120 63% High

Denton, TX

 980-1230 1105 72% High

Allendale, MI

 940-1190 1065 83% High

Morgantown, WV

 1010-1220 1115 89% High

Los Angeles, CA

 870-1060 965 91% High
View all 989 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1280 SAT

Top Choices in Popular U.S. States

Browse colleges for a 1280 SAT in popular states:

Local Options for a 1280 SAT

View by state:

Browse by region:

East 1280 SAT Midwest 1280 SAT Mid-Atlantic 1280 SAT New England 1280 SAT Pacific Northwest 1280 SAT South 1280 SAT Southeast 1280 SAT West 1280 SAT

Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1280?

You do not have to retake a 1280. If schools already in your range feel right, you can stop here. Another sitting is mainly useful if you want a better shot at more selective publics where 1280 falls short of the usual band.

Pros of retaking Cons of retaking
May improve odds at highly selective publics Time away from grades and activities
Gives you another shot at 1300-plus Your score might not move much

Serious prep often adds about 50 to 100 SAT points. Focus on your weaker section, take a couple of timed practice tests, and review every miss. A short weekly plan beats cramming the week before.

You can apply with 1280 as it is, or prep for another sitting if you want more selective options.

1280 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1280 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score ACT Equivalent
1220 25
1240 26
1260 27
1280 27
1300 28
1320 28
1340 29

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

Frequently Asked Questions

A 1280 SAT places you in about the 87th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.

Next Steps

Published: August 19, 2026