Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT

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Is a 1290 SAT Score Good?

When determining if a 1290 SAT score is good, it?s important to consider how it compares to other test-takers and how college admissions officers view it. A 1290 places you in the 90th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 90% of all students who took the SAT. This score is significantly above the national average SAT score of about 1010, marking it as a strong performance. In terms of ACT equivalency, a 1290 SAT score roughly translates to a 27, further highlighting your academic achievement. This score indicates a commendable level of readiness for college-level coursework, reflecting positively on your analytical and reasoning skills.

Colleges That Accept a 1290 SAT Score

With a 1290 SAT score, you have a wide range of college options available to you, spanning various levels of prestige and selectivity. Many public universities, such as The University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University, Clemson University, Arizona State University, and the University of Georgia, typically admit students with scores around 1290. Private colleges, including Baylor University, Pepperdine University, Howard University, Syracuse University, and the University of San Francisco, also fall within this range. Though selective, these institutions are accessible with your score. If you're aiming for more elite institutions, consider University of Florida, University of Michigan, and University of California, Los Angeles as potential reach schools.

Should You Retake the SAT if You Score a 1290?

Whether you should retake the SAT depends on your college goals and target schools. If you?re aspiring to gain admission to more competitive institutions, such as Ivy League schools, you might consider retaking the test to improve your score. On average, students see an increase of 30-70 points on a retake, though higher gains are possible with diligent preparation. If you believe a higher score is within reach, the effort may open doors to more selective colleges. Additionally, consider bolstering your application through strong extracurriculars, a compelling personal essay, and glowing letters of recommendation to enhance your admissions prospects.

Scholarship Opportunities with a 1290 SAT

A 1290 SAT score can qualify you for various merit-based scholarships, which are awarded based on academic achievement. Many universities offer such scholarships to attract high-achieving students, and a 1290 score places you in a favorable position. Schools often provide automatic scholarships based on SAT scores and GPAs, while others may require a separate application. Look into the specific scholarship opportunities at your target schools and explore national scholarship programs where your score and academic record could make you a competitive candidate. These awards can significantly reduce the financial burden of higher education.

For a comprehensive list of 352 popular colleges where a 1290 SAT is within the typical score range of accepted students, including both public and private institutions, you can explore the full list below. This list includes examples such as The University of Texas at Austin, Florida State University, and Baylor University, along with reach schools like the University of Michigan and UCLA. Use this resource to identify the schools where your score aligns well and to guide your application strategy.

Popular colleges to consider with a 1290 SAT

Displaying 352 colleges where your 1290 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. Search, filter and sort this list or view by admission chance for 1,197 target schools (good chance), 192 reach (harder) schools and 3,498 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

List of Colleges for a 1290 on the SAT
School SAT Score Range
The University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

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1230 to 1500
Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

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1210 to 1370
Clemson University

Clemson, SC

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1220 to 1410
Arizona State University

Tempe, AZ

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1100 to 1320
University of Georgia

Athens, GA

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1220 to 1420
Penn State Main Campus

University Park, PA

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1210 to 1390
Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA

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1240 to 1430
Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

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1160 to 1360
The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL

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1130 to 1410
University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL

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1200 to 1360
San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

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1090 to 1300
Auburn University

Auburn University, AL

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1220 to 1380
University of California Irvine

Irvine, CA

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1230 to 1430
Baylor University

Waco, TX

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1230 to 1410
University of Washington Seattle Campus

Seattle, WA

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1200 to 1453
The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

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1170 to 1330
North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC

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1280 to 1460
University of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

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1070 to 1290
Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

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1200 to 1470
University of California Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, CA

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1230 to 1460
Texas A&M University College Station

College Station, TX

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1150 to 1390
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, HI

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1070 to 1290
University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ

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1140 to 1370
University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO

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1160 to 1390
University of Houston

Houston, TX

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1160 to 1330
University of California Davis

Davis, CA

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1160 to 1400
University of South Carolina Columbia

Columbia, SC

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1180 to 1380
Pepperdine University

Malibu, CA

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1285 to 1480
Colorado State University Fort Collins

Fort Collins, CO

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1080 to 1290
Howard University

Washington, DC

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1050 to 1290

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