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.

LeTourneau University
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L
Longview, TX

LeTourneau University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,536enrollment
  • $26,974net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Wesleyan College
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V
Norfolk, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1280 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,538enrollment
  • $23,046net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1365SAT range
  • 27-29ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance81%

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Northwest University
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N
Kirkland, WA

Northwest University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 1,014enrollment
  • $23,722net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Baldwin Wallace College
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B
Berea, OH

Baldwin Wallace College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1170 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,220enrollment
  • $28,705net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1043-1298SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance85%

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Taylor University
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T
Upland, IN

Taylor University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

1200 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,221enrollment
  • $27,366net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
St John's College
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S
Annapolis, MD

St John's College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1360 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 541enrollment
  • $27,643net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance39%

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Caldwell University
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C
Caldwell, NJ
 

Caldwell University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1170 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,028enrollment
  • $20,612net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1320SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance76%

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Agnes Scott College
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A
Decatur, GA

Agnes Scott College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,114enrollment
  • $24,305net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 1

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Drew University
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D
Madison, NJ

Drew University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1230 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 2,092enrollment
  • $28,183net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Kalamazoo College
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K
Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1290 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,210enrollment
  • $26,981net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Otis College of Art and Design
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O
Los Angeles, CA

Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $48,198net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 20-29ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

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Kettering University
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K
Flint, MI

Kettering University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,769enrollment
  • $34,486net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of the Holy Cross
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H
Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1350 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,083enrollment
  • $34,679net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Ohio Northern University
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O
Ada, OH

Ohio Northern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,015enrollment
  • $27,398net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.78Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Aug 15

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United States Coast Guard Academy
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C
New London, Connecticut

United States Coast Guard Academy

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,037enrollment
  • -net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1365SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Champlain College
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C
Burlington, VT

Champlain College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Vermont

  • 3,543enrollment
  • $35,133net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1163-1348SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Saint Anselm College
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S
Manchester, NH

Saint Anselm College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1210 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in New Hampshire

  • 1,977enrollment
  • $35,080net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1290SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Hobart William Smith Colleges
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H
Geneva, NY

Hobart William Smith Colleges

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1310 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,607enrollment
  • $34,259net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1400SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Feb 1

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.