Illinois Colleges for a 1520 on the SAT

With a 1520 SAT, you are competitive at 58 four-year colleges in Illinois (3 target, 2 reach, 53 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 34 ACT.

Colleges in Illinois for a 1520 SAT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 1520 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Champaign, IL	1310-1520	1415	42%	Medium
Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL	1180-1440	1310	55%	Medium
Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL	1120-1340	1230	39%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average SAT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Chicago Chicago, IL	1510-1580	1545	4%	Low
Northwestern University Evanston, IL	1510-1570	1540	8%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average SAT scores well below 1520; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	SAT Range	Avg SAT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL	1130-1350	1240	77%	High
Loyola University Chicago Chicago, IL	1170-1360	1265	82%	High
DePaul University Chicago, IL	1140-1330	1235	76%	High
Illinois State University Normal, IL	990-1210	1100	88%	High
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	940-1170	1055	70%	High
Wheaton College Wheaton, IL	1260-1470	1365	87%	High
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	900-1160	1030	87%	High
Bradley University Peoria, IL	1090-1300	1195	77%	High
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	750-963	856	43%	High
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	810-1010	910	75%	High
Lewis University Romeoville, IL	960-1210	1085	71%	High
Aurora University Aurora, IL	900-1150	1025	81%	High

View all 53 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 1520 SAT in Illinois

See all colleges nationally for a 1520 SAT

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.

Published: August 19, 2026