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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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.

Martin Luther College
M
New Ulm, MN

Martin Luther College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 880enrollment
  • $22,293net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1051-1316SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance89%

Roberts Wesleyan College
R
Rochester, NY
 

Roberts Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#60 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,573enrollment
  • $23,341net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT

Applications Due Aug 25

St John's College
S
Santa Fe, NM

St John's College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1360 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 439enrollment
  • $29,265net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1460SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance43%

Southern Adventist University
S
Collegedale, TN
 

Southern Adventist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1130 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,903enrollment
  • $24,332net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 980-1280SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance79%

Bethany Lutheran College
B
Mankato, MN
 

Bethany Lutheran College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 830enrollment
  • $18,525net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 990-1290SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.51Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jul 1

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
T
Merrimack, NH
 

Thomas More College of Liberal Arts

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1210 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 89enrollment
  • $15,273net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT

Judson College
J
Marion, AL
 

Judson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1160 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 229enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1350SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT

Hannibal LaGrange University
H
Hannibal, MO
 

Hannibal LaGrange University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 494enrollment
  • $20,537net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1067-1315SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance76%

Montana Tech of the University of Montana
M
Butte, MT
 

Montana Tech of the University of Montana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 1,625enrollment
  • $16,045net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Central Bible College
C
Springfield, Missouri
 

Central Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 669enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1350SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.32Estimated Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT

Principia College
P
Elsah, Illinois
 

Principia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 323enrollment
  • $18,039net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 970-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance62%

Berea College
B
Berea, KY

Berea College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1220 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,433enrollment
  • $2,020net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 1136-1298SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance35%

Applications Due Mar 31

United States Merchant Marine Academy
U
Kings Point, NY

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 943enrollment
  • $4,891net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Mar 1

High Point University
H
High Point, NC

High Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1190 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 5,981enrollment
  • $40,221net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1103-1280SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Mar 1

Grove City College
G
Grove City, Pennsylvania
 

Grove City College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1250 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 2,316enrollment
  • $23,538net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1360SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Mar 20

Thomas Jefferson University
T
Philadelphia, PA
 

Thomas Jefferson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 8,286enrollment
  • $28,110net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jul 31

New Saint Andrews College
N
Moscow, Idaho

New Saint Andrews College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1230 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 294enrollment
  • $15,053net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Feb 15

Patrick Henry College
P
Purcellville, Virginia
 

Patrick Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1340 Average SAT Score

 

 

  • 409enrollment
  • $26,095net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1233-1440SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jul 15

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.