1520 SAT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
That's a strong score. A 1520 lands you in the 99th percentile. It keeps highly selective schools like MIT and Stanford in range, even though both stay reaches. You have about 1570 colleges that fit, including plenty of places where this score is more than competitive.
How 1520 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: ~34 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,570 schools (104 target, 53 reach, 1,413 safety).
Is a 1520 SAT Score Good?
Yes, a 1520 SAT is an excellent score. It overlaps the middle 50% at Harvard (1510-1580) and Brown (1510-1580). Those colleges are still reaches because they admit so few students, but your number will not be the problem.
Caltech's middle 50% starts at 1530, so you would be just below that band. Michigan is a clearer target: 1520 is near the top of its 1360-1530 range, which gives you a good shot.
Admissions readers still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations. At the most selective schools, those pieces matter as much as the test, sometimes more.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 1520 SAT
Princeton and Columbia both list a 1510-1580 middle 50%, so a 1520 is inside the band and still a reach. UCLA is another reach even with 1520 at the high end of its 1300-1530 range. UT Austin is a more realistic target (1250-1510). The tables that follow group schools that are harder to get into, a good fit, or a likely backup.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
At Michigan (1360-1530) and Wisconsin (1380-1520), a 1520 is at the high end of the middle 50%. You have a good shot at both.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Even with a 1520, Johns Hopkins (1520-1570) and Northwestern (1510-1570) stay reaches. Many top schools remain tougher to get into because they take so few students, not because your score is low.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Ohio State (1310-1480) and Texas A&M (1150-1400) sit well below a 1520. Your odds look strong here, and this bucket is huge, with more than 1400 schools.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 1520 SAT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 1520 SAT in popular states:
Local Options for a 1520 SAT
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Should you retake the SAT if you have a 1520?
A retake is optional at 1520. You already clear the bar at almost every college, so extra testing only makes sense if you want a bit more room at the most selective schools. If the rest of your application is ready, you can stop here.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| Could lift you inside Caltech's 1530-1580 band | Time away from grades and activities |
| Useful if one section was much weaker | Score jumps are often small this high up |
Focused prep often adds about 50-100 SAT points, though gains shrink once you are already at 1520. If you do test again, drill your weaker section with official practice tests and review every miss.
Apply with the 1520 you have, or prep for one more test if a couple of reaches really matter to you.
1520 SAT to ACT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 1520 SAT to ACT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| SAT Score | ACT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1460 | 33 |
| 1480 | 33 |
| 1500 | 34 |
| 1520 | 34 |
| 1540 | 35 |
| 1560 | 35 |
| 1580 | 36 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 1520 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 1520 SAT
- Compare nearby scores: 1510 and 1530
- Browse the equivalent 34 ACT college list
Published: August 19, 2026