Colleges for a 1280 on the SAT

What colleges accept a 1280 SAT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 1280 on your SATs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 379 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 1280 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 1280 SAT good?

Yes, you have a lot of opportunities at very good schools with a score of 1280. It situates you in the top 86th percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 1.7 million SAT test takers. This score signifies your significantly above average 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 1280 score represents 80% of the total possible points. If a 1280 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 1280

Let's examine how a 1280 SAT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 1280 is 213 points (20%) higher than the average male SAT score of 1067
  • Female: A 1280 is 226 points (21%) higher than the average female SAT score of 1054

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 1280 is 168 points (15%) higher than the average white SAT score of 1112
  • Black: A 1280 is 346 points (37%) higher than the average black SAT score of 934
  • Hispanic: A 1280 is 313 points (32%) higher than the average Hispanic SAT score of 967
  • Asian: A 1280 is 41 points (3%) higher than the average Asian SAT score of 1239
  • Pacific Islander: A 1280 is 330 points (35%) higher than the average Pacific Islander SAT score of 950
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 1280 is 353 points (38%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native SAT score of 927
  • Two or more races: A 1280 is 164 points (15%) higher than the average two or more races SAT score of 1116

All groups

  • All Students: A 1280 is 220 points higher than the average SAT score for all students of 1060

What is the ACT equivalent to a 1280 SAT score?

A 1280 on the SAT translates to a 27 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 1280 SAT score?

Scoring a 1280 on the SAT places you in the 86th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 86% 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 1,462,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 238,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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SAT 1280 Public Private 4 year

379 results nationwide

List of 1280 SAT Colleges

Displaying 379 colleges where your 1280 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 1,278 target schools (good chance), 195 reach (harder) schools and 3,402 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Springfield College
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S
Springfield, MA

Springfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1200 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,921enrollment
  • $27,930net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Northern Iowa
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N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 8,945enrollment
  • $15,782net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1330SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance97%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emmanuel College
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E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,012enrollment
  • $32,273net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
William Paterson University of New Jersey
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W
Wayne, NJ

William Paterson University of New Jersey

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1170 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 9,070enrollment
  • $12,967net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1345SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 2.97Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Allegheny College
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A
Meadville, PA

Allegheny College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,353enrollment
  • $26,719net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1114-1372SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Pacific Lutheran University
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P
Tacoma, WA

Pacific Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1340 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Value Colleges in Washington

  • 2,633enrollment
  • $24,825net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1253-1423SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Meredith College
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M
Raleigh, NC

Meredith College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1230 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,587enrollment
  • $23,259net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Hendrix College
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H
Conway, AR

Hendrix College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1230 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,144enrollment
  • $22,626net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1133-1328SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
St Lawrence University
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S
Canton, NY

St Lawrence University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1330 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,175enrollment
  • $33,283net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Feb 1

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DeSales University
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D
Center Valley, PA

DeSales University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,991enrollment
  • $29,104net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1280SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Susquehanna University
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S
Selinsgrove, PA

Susquehanna University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,231enrollment
  • $28,605net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1088-1280SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham
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F
Madison, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University College at Florham

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,823enrollment
  • $21,408net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 19-30ACT range
  • 3.42Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY at Fredonia
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F
Fredonia, NY

SUNY at Fredonia

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,491enrollment
  • $15,795net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1300SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ursinus College
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U
Collegeville, PA

Ursinus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1280 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,527enrollment
  • $33,546net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due May 1

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Holy Cross College
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H
Notre Dame, IN
 

Holy Cross College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1290 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 434enrollment
  • $22,650net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1203-1373SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Jul 28

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Rutgers University Camden
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R
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1160 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 5,966enrollment
  • $14,151net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western New England University
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W
Springfield, MA

Western New England University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $30,214net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Birmingham Southern College
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B
Birmingham, AL

Birmingham Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1220 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 975enrollment
  • $21,153net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1280SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 1280 a good SAT score?

Yes, you have a lot of opportunities at very good schools with a score of 1280. The score puts you in the top 86th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 1280 SAT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 1280 SAT score?

The University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University and Clemson University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 1280 SAT score.

What percentile is 1280 on the SAT?

A 1280 ranks in the top 86th percentile of all students who take the SAT exam.

What is the equivalent ACT score to a 1280 SAT?

A 1280 converts to a 27 on the ACT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 27 ACT score.