1470 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
MIT and Stanford still treat a 1470 as a reach, and that's expected at schools that turn away most applicants. You're in a good spot anyway. This score sits near the 99th percentile and lines up with well over 1,500 colleges, from highly selective privates to strong state universities.
How 1470 SAT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 99th - higher than about 99% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 1050 - you're above the typical score.
- ACT equivalent: ~33 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,568 schools (144 target, 52 reach, 1,372 safety).
Is a 1470 SAT Score Good?
Yes, a 1470 SAT is an excellent score. It keeps highly selective schools like Harvard and Princeton on the table. They remain reaches, though, because their middle 50% starts around 1510.
UCLA is still a reach at this score. A 1470 overlaps its 1300-1530 middle 50%, but admit rates are very low. Michigan is a better fit, with your score inside its usual range.
Grades, essays, activities, and recommendations still matter a lot at this level. A 1470 will not carry an application by itself at the most competitive schools.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1470 SAT
Caltech and Columbia sit above this score in their middle 50%, so they stay ambitious reaches. University of Chicago belongs in that same group. University of Florida is a more realistic match, with 1470 near the top of its 1320-1480 range.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
At UT Austin and Ohio State, a 1470 falls inside the middle 50%. You have a good shot at both if the rest of your application is solid.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Even a strong 1470 leaves Johns Hopkins and Northwestern as reaches. Their middle 50% starts around 1510, and they take only a small share of applicants.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Your 1470 sits well above the middle 50% at Penn State and Arizona State, so the odds look strong. You have many backups in this range.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 1470 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1470?
A retake is optional with a 1470. You already have a strong score for almost every college. It mainly helps if you are aiming at the most selective schools, where the middle 50% starts a bit higher.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May lift you into some 1510-plus middle 50% ranges | Time away from grades and activities |
| Could help at the most selective private colleges | Score jumps get harder near the top |
Focused prep often adds about 50-100 points when you work your weaker section. Official practice tests and a short weekly plan usually beat last-minute cramming.
Apply with the 1470 if your current options feel right, or prep for one more test if you want a better shot at those 1510-plus ranges.
1470 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1470 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1410 | 31 |
| 1430 | 32 |
| 1450 | 33 |
| 1470 | 33 |
| 1490 | 34 |
| 1510 | 34 |
| 1530 | 35 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1470 SAT places you in about the 99th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 99% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 1470 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 1460 and 1480
- Browse the equivalent 33 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026