Western Colleges for a 1280 on the SAT

What Western colleges accept a 1280 SAT score?

These Western 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 50 Western 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 Western 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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50 results

List of 1280 SAT Colleges

Displaying 50 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 177 target schools (good chance), 33 reach (harder) schools and 477 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Montana State University
M
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Montana

  • 16,681enrollment
  • $17,250net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Utah State University
U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 27,943enrollment
  • $14,577net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance96%

University of California Santa Cruz
C
Santa Cruz, CA

University of California Santa Cruz

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,478enrollment
  • $17,975net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Nov 30

Western Washington University
W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 14,747enrollment
  • $21,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jan 31

University of the Pacific
T
Stockton, CA

University of the Pacific

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

1270 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 6,277enrollment
  • $28,164net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1423SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jan 15

Seattle University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1270 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,121enrollment
  • $35,412net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jan 15

University of Portland
P
Portland, OR

University of Portland

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1320 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,793enrollment
  • $33,717net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1228-1410SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 15

Point Loma Nazarene University
P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1260 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,319enrollment
  • $34,933net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Feb 15

Gonzaga University
G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1310 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,253enrollment
  • $38,727net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Feb 1

University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1140 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance83%

Whittier College
W
Whittier, CA

Whittier College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,192enrollment
  • $28,368net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance80%

Westmont College
W
Santa Barbara, CA
 

Westmont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1370 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $33,112net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1458SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance71%

Biola University
B
La Mirada, CA

Biola University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,387enrollment
  • $31,522net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1365SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance62%

Seattle Pacific University
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1220 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 3,118enrollment
  • $26,549net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1350SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jul 11

The University of Montana
M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

1180 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 9,955enrollment
  • $16,361net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 18

Lewis & Clark College
L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

1330 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,595enrollment
  • $35,832net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1400SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Jan 15

California Lutheran University
C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1240 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,615enrollment
  • $30,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jan 1

Colorado College
C
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

1370 Average SAT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Colorado

  • 2,203enrollment
  • $33,178net price
  • 16%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA
Your 1280 SAT
Admission Chance10%

Applications Due Jan 15