1290 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into

You're in a good spot with a 1290 - that's roughly the 90th percentile. The score lines up with popular publics like Florida State and Virginia Tech, and it puts more than 1,500 colleges in range. Hundreds of those are realistic matches, not long shots.

How 1290 SAT Compares Nationally

  • Percentile: 87th - higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.
  • National average: Above 1050 - you're above the typical score.
  • ACT equivalent: ~27 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
  • College options: Competitive at 1,517 schools (434 target, 65 reach, 1,018 safety).

Is a 1290 SAT Score Good?

Yes, a 1290 SAT is a strong score, roughly in line with a 27 ACT. UT Austin's middle 50% runs 1250-1510, so you are inside that band, toward the lower end. The same is true at Georgia (1270-1480) and Penn State (1240-1420).

You are well above the national average, which is why so many well-known publics are realistic. Florida's middle 50% is 1320-1480 and Michigan's is 1360-1530, so a 1290 is below both usual bands. Those are possible, but tougher.

Admissions officers still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations. A 1290 will not paper over a weak transcript, but it is strong enough that the rest of your application can really matter.

Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1290 SAT

Clemson (1240-1410) and Auburn (1260-1390) overlap a 1290 pretty cleanly, so they feel like fair matches. Michigan State leaves you more room, while Ohio State and UCLA ask for higher scores and will be harder to get into. The tables sort the rest into good-fit schools, longer shots, and backups.

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Your 1290 is inside the middle 50% at Arizona State (1100-1320) and Alabama (1170-1400), and it is toward the high end at both. You have a good shot at schools like these.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Austin, TX

 1250-1510 1380 27% Medium

Tallahassee, FL

 1270-1410 1340 24% Medium

Clemson, SC

 1240-1410 1325 38% Medium

Tempe, AZ

 1100-1320 1210 90% Medium

Athens, GA

 1270-1480 1375 38% Medium

University Park, PA

 1240-1420 1330 61% Medium

Blacksburg, VA

 1280-1450 1365 55% Medium

East Lansing, MI

 1180-1360 1270 85% Medium

Tuscaloosa, AL

 1170-1400 1285 77% Medium

Orlando, FL

 1200-1350 1275 40% Medium

San Diego, CA

 1090-1300 1195 36% Medium

Auburn, AL

 1260-1390 1325 46% Medium
View all 434 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

University of Florida (1320-1480) and UNC Chapel Hill (1390-1530) typically look for scores above 1290. You can still apply, but they are selective and the odds are longer.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Gainesville, FL

 1320-1480 1400 24% Low

Ann Arbor, MI

 1360-1530 1445 16% Low

Los Angeles, CA

 1300-1530 1415 9% Low

Coral Gables, FL

 1320-1480 1400 19% Low

Chapel Hill, NC

 1390-1530 1460 15% Low

Columbus, OH

 1310-1480 1395 61% Low

College Park, MD

 1400-1530 1465 45% Low

Madison, WI

 1380-1520 1450 45% Low

Raleigh, NC

 1300-1470 1385 42% Low

Villanova, PA

 1395-1510 1452 27% Low

Berkeley, CA

 1310-1530 1420 11% Low

Charlottesville, VA

 1410-1540 1475 17% Low
View all 65 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

You're well above the middle 50% at Texas Tech (1090-1280) and Appalachian State (1120-1280). Odds look strong at schools like these, and there are more than a thousand in this bucket.

College SAT Range Avg SAT Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Greenville, NC

 1070-1240 1155 89% High

San Marcos, TX

 980-1200 1090 89% High

Lubbock, TX

 1090-1280 1185 73% High

Atlanta, GA

 940-1180 1060 55% High

San Jose, CA

 1010-1240 1125 85% High

Boone, NC

 1120-1280 1200 90% High

Boca Raton, FL

 1040-1200 1120 66% High

San Francisco, CA

 930-1130 1030 96% High

Pullman, WA

 1020-1210 1115 87% High

Savannah, GA

 1030-1270 1150 83% High

Fort Myers, FL

 1040-1200 1120 63% High

Denton, TX

 980-1230 1105 72% High
View all 1,018 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1290 SAT

Top Choices in Popular U.S. States

Browse colleges for a 1290 SAT in popular states:

Local Options for a 1290 SAT

View by state:

Browse by region:

East 1290 SAT Midwest 1290 SAT Mid-Atlantic 1290 SAT New England 1290 SAT Pacific Northwest 1290 SAT South 1290 SAT Southeast 1290 SAT West 1290 SAT

Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1290?

You do not need to retake a 1290 unless you are aiming at more selective schools. If Florida State, Clemson, or Penn State already feel like the right level, you can apply with this score. Another sitting is mainly useful if you want a better shot at places like Florida, Michigan, or UCLA.

Pros of retaking Cons of retaking
May open more selective targets Time away from grades and activities
Could move Florida or Ohio State closer A modest gain may not change much

Focused prep often adds about 50 to 100 points. Drill the section that dragged you down, take a few timed practice tests, and review every miss. A short, structured study plan beats cramming the week before.

Apply with the 1290 if your target schools already fit, or prep for a retake if those extra points would change where you apply.

1290 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1290 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

SAT Score ACT Equivalent
1230 26
1250 26
1270 27
1290 27
1310 28
1330 29
1350 29

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 1290 SAT places you in about the 87th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.

Next Steps

Published: August 19, 2026