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    Is a 1200 SAT score good?

    Yes. A 1200 is a good score on the SAT. It's at the 75th percentile of recent SAT takers and at the 81st percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, by College Board's percentiles. Whether it's good for you depends on your colleges: it's inside or above the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen at 733 of the 925 colleges we track with published SAT ranges.

    Updated

    percentile of recent SAT takers
    75th
    percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders
    81st
    colleges where it's in or above the middle 50%
    733 of 925
    ACT equivalent
    25

    Percentiles: College Board, SAT Nationally Representative and User Percentiles. User group percentiles count students who graduated in the past three school years; nationally representative ones are weighted to stand for all U.S. 11th and 12th graders. Checked October 31, 2026. ACT equivalent: ACT and College Board concordance (2018).

    Key takeaways

    • A 1200 is below the 25th percentile at Purdue, UCF, Clemson, Georgia, Texas, UConn, Penn State and Tennessee, by 20 to 80 points.
    • At four in five test-optional colleges we can estimate, a 1200 is worth sending, including Indiana, Texas A&M, Michigan State and Alabama.
    • Out-of-state automatic awards at Alabama, Kentucky and Oklahoma pay $6,000 to $13,000 a year at 1200, depending on GPA.

    How a 1200 compares across colleges

    Where 1200 falls against the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen who sent scores, at public and at private colleges.

    Where a 1200 falls in colleges' middle 50% SAT ranges
    Where a 1200 fallsPublic (378)Private (547)
    Above the 75th percentile142102
    Inside the middle 50%191298
    Below the 25th percentile45147
    Colleges we track with a published SAT range: each college's Common Data Set, or the federal College Scorecard where it has none.

    Large public universities where a 1200 is in range

    The largest public universities where 1200 is inside the middle 50%. Each range links to its source and each policy to the college's admissions page. "Sent an SAT" is the share of enrolled first-years the range describes.

    Large public universities where a 1200 is in range
    CollegeMiddle 50% SAT2026-27 test policySent an SAT
    Texas A&M University-College Station1160-1390Optional77%
    University of Arizona1090-1320Optional12%
    Kennesaw State University1010-1210Required41%
    Michigan State University1100-1310Optional52%
    Florida International University1070-1260Required92%
    University of Houston1140-1310Optional55%
    Indiana University-Bloomington1200-1410Optional43%
    University of South Florida1160-1340Required78%
    Texas State University990-1200Varies by applicant41%
    University of North Texas960-1210Optional40%
    Sources: each college's Common Data Set (or College Scorecard) and admissions page, linked in the table.

    Selective private colleges where a 1200 is in range

    The private colleges with the highest middle 50% that still includes 1200, most selective first.

    Selective private colleges where a 1200 is in range
    CollegeMiddle 50% SAT2026-27 test policySent an SAT
    University of San Francisco1200-1380Optional12%
    Lake Forest College1200-1370Optional11%
    University of Puget Sound1200-1370Optional30%
    Siena University1138-1430Optional6%
    Hobart William Smith Colleges1185-1380Optional23%
    Baylor University1190-1370Optional47%
    DePauw University1170-1390Optional53%
    Knox College1150-1410Optional29%
    Clarkson University1190-1360Optional48%
    Bucknell University1170-1360Optional68%
    Sources: each college's Common Data Set (or College Scorecard) and admissions page, linked in the table.

    Where does a 1200 fall short?

    The most selective public universities sit above it. A 1200 is below the 25th percentile at Purdue and UCF (1220), Clemson, Georgia and Texas (1250), UConn (1260), and Penn State and Tennessee (1280). At Ohio State, Florida State and the University of Florida, the 25th percentile is 1300 or higher.

    A score above a range isn't an admission either. Florida A&M admitted about 19% of its first-year applicants for Fall 2025, though a 1200 is above the 75th percentile of the students who enrolled (1050-1180).

    Should you send a 1200 to test-optional colleges?

    At most test-optional colleges, yes. A 1200 is at or above our estimate of the typical SAT of freshmen who enrolled without one at about four in five that we can estimate, including Indiana (1200), Texas A&M (1170), Michigan State and Alabama (1120 at both).

    Below the range, it's a close call. At Penn State we estimate 1210, at UConn 1230 and at Clemson 1240, so your GPA decides. Merit can tip the decision: Alabama's automatic awards require a submitted score, so if you're weighing Alabama out of state, you have a reason to send a 1200 that has nothing to do with admission.

    Which scholarships does a 1200 earn?

    Several public universities publish automatic grids that pay at 1200 for out-of-state students, with no separate application:

    • Alabama. $6,000 a year for 1200 to 1250 with a 3.50 GPA, and $8,000 from 1260. Alabama uses the total from a single test date, not a superscore.
    • Kentucky. The Bluegrass Scholarship pays $10,000 a year from 1200 with a 3.0 GPA, and $13,000 with a 3.5.
    • Oklahoma. Non-residents with a 3.5 GPA receive $12,000 a year for 1160 to 1220, and $14,000 from 1230.

    Grids change every year, so check the college's current page before counting on an award. This page counts only awards with an SAT minimum. Many colleges also give merit aid on GPA alone; our merit aid calculator estimates awards from your GPA and score together.

    Where 1200 fits, college by college

    Each college we track, with its middle 50% of enrolled freshmen, where 1200 falls in it, whether to send it, and the merit aid whose SAT minimum it meets. Pick a score within 20 points of 1200 or a state to redraw the lists.

    At 1200: 500 target, 46 reach and 236 likely colleges; worth sending to 619 of 762 test-optional colleges.

    Target colleges for 1200 (500)

    1200 is inside the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen, or at a test-optional college it's worth sending. Most selective first.

    Target colleges for 1200
    School of Visual ArtsNew York, NY · Admits 93%SAT, middle 50%1188 to 1490Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1150
    Fisk UniversityNashville, TN · Admits 37%SAT, middle 50%1140 to 1510Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1090
    University of Missouri-Kansas CityKansas City, MO · Admits 65%SAT, middle 50%1115 to 1525Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1060
    Beloit CollegeBeloit, WI · Admits 70%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1430Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1180
    Dakota State UniversityMadison, SD · Admits 92%SAT, middle 50%1190 to 1440Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional; required below a 2.6 GPA. Send from 1090Merit at this score$2,000 a yearDSU Merit Champion. 3.00+ GPA, 1160 to 1290 SAT or 24 to 27 ACT, Freshmen under four years out of high school
    Seattle UniversitySeattle, WA · Admits 77%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1430Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1210
    Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, IL · Admits 55%SAT, middle 50%1180 to 1440Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1190
    Centre CollegeDanville, KY · Admits 48%SAT, middle 50%1160 to 1450Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1200
    Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN · Admits 76%SAT, middle 50%1200 to 1410Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1200
    New York Institute of TechnologyOld Westbury, NY · Admits 81%SAT, middle 50%1190 to 1420Lower half of the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1180

    Reach colleges for 1200 (46)

    1200 is below the middle 50% but above the bottom 10% or so, or the college admits under 15% of applicants, a reach for everyone. Closest first.

    Reach colleges for 1200
    Dominican University of CaliforniaSan Rafael, CA · Admits 84%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1300Below the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateTest optional
    New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNewark, NJ · Admits 65%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1460Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1220
    The University of the SouthSewanee, TN · Admits 56%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1360Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1220
    United States Military AcademyWest Point, NY · Admits 12%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1420Below the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest required
    United States Naval AcademyAnnapolis, MD · Admits 9%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1410Below the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest required
    University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY · Admits 81%SAT, middle 50%1210 to 1380Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1210
    Champlain CollegeBurlington, VT · Admits 83%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1380Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1210
    Purdue University-Main CampusWest Lafayette, IN · Admits 43%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1470Below the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest required
    Seton Hall UniversitySouth Orange, NJ · Admits 73%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1390Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1220
    Simmons UniversityBoston, MA · Admits 70%SAT, middle 50%1220 to 1390Below the middle 50%Send this score?Close callYour GPA decides. Send from 1210

    Not listed: 128 more colleges where 1200 is under roughly the 10th percentile of freshmen.

    Likely colleges for 1200 (208)

    1200 is above the 75th percentile of enrolled freshmen at a college admitting 15% or more. Closest first.

    Likely colleges for 1200
    Gardner-Webb UniversityBoiling Springs, NC · Admits 77%SAT, middle 50%975 to 1198Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1050
    McNeese State UniversityLake Charles, LA · Admits 78%SAT, middle 50%940 to 1198Above the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest requiredMerit at this score$5,500 a yearJohn McNeese Award. 3.50+ GPA, 1160 to 1250 SAT or 24 to 26 ACT, 6-semester GPA; ACT/SAT by May 1, 2027; regular admission
    Nicholls State UniversityThibodaux, LA · Admits 91%SAT, middle 50%934 to 1196Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1050
    Louisiana State University-ShreveportShreveport, LA · Admits 51%SAT, middle 50%1000 to 1195Above the middle 50%Send this score?No estimateVaries by applicant
    University of Illinois SpringfieldSpringfield, IL · Admits 83%SAT, middle 50%940 to 1195Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1020
    SUNY OneontaOneonta, NY · Admits 77%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1194Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1040
    Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO · Admits 86%SAT, middle 50%976 to 1193Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional; required below a 3.0 GPA. Send from 1040Merit at this score$4,000 a yearDistinguished Scholar. 3.95+ GPA, 1200 to 1270 SAT or 25 to 26 ACT
    Arkansas State UniversityJonesboro, AR · Admits 78%SAT, middle 50%950 to 1190Above the middle 50%Send this score?RequiredTest requiredMerit at this score$4,000 a yearA-State Enrichment. 3.00+ GPA, 1060 to 1209 SAT or 21 to 24 ACT, ACT superscore or new SAT
    Brigham Young University-HawaiiLaie, HI · Admits 47%SAT, middle 50%960 to 1190Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1070
    Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA · Admits 91%SAT, middle 50%980 to 1190Above the middle 50%Send this score?Send itTest optional. Send from 1030

    Not listed: 28 more colleges where 1200 is more than 150 points above the middle 50%.

    Automatic scholarships with an SAT minimum at or below 1200

    113 colleges we track publish an automatic merit award with an SAT minimum at or below 1200, including colleges not listed above. Each award's other requirements, usually a GPA, are listed with it, and the college's page has every rule. Largest first.

    What 50 more points changes

    At 1250, 190 colleges move up a band, 47 test-optional colleges become worth sending to, and 31 colleges have a larger scholarship whose SAT minimum it meets. See every college at 1250.

    Moves up a band (190)

    Becomes worth sending (47)

    Meets a larger award's SAT minimum (31)

    We sort by score alone, with the same rules as our college pages, because this page doesn't ask for your GPA. SAT ranges are the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen who sent scores, mostly the Fall 2025 entering class, from each college's Common Data Set or the federal College Scorecard. Test policies are for fall 2027. "Send from" is our estimate of the typical SAT of freshmen who enrolled without one. Scholarships come from each college's published policy, linked.

    What costs points at a 1200?

    At 1200 you can miss roughly 13 to 17 Reading and Writing questions and 10 to 11 Math questions. Between 1200 and 1400, the digital SAT's routing starts to set the limit: enough misses in the first module of a section send you to the easier second module, which caps how high that section can go. College Board doesn't publish the cutoff; roughly two-thirds correct in Module 1 is a reasonable working estimate.

    That makes Module 1 accuracy worth more than Module 1 speed. Each module has its own timer, and finishing early gains you nothing in Module 2. Work on medium questions in your weakest domains, usually Advanced Math (quadratics, functions, exponential models) and inference questions in Reading and Writing. We've written more about what to practice between 1200 and 1400.

    Other SAT scores

    1150 is 50 lower; 1250 is 50 higher. Every score from 900 to 1600 is on the SAT scores page. To check one college against your score and GPA, use the submit or retake tool.

    Common questions about a 1200 SAT

    Is a 1200 a good SAT score?
    Yes. A 1200 is a good score on the SAT. It's at the 75th percentile of recent SAT takers and at the 81st percentile of all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, by College Board's percentiles. Whether it's good for you depends on your colleges: it's inside or above the middle 50% of enrolled freshmen at 733 of the 925 colleges we track with published SAT ranges.
    What percentile is a 1200 on the SAT?
    A 1200 is at the 75th percentile among students who took the SAT and graduated in the past three school years (College Board's user group percentiles): about 25% of them scored higher. Against all U.S. 11th and 12th graders, including those who don't take the SAT (College Board's nationally representative percentiles), it's at the 81st percentile.
    What colleges can I get into with a 1200 SAT?
    By score alone, a 1200 makes 500 colleges we track a target, including School of Visual Arts, Fisk University and University of Missouri-Kansas City, and 236 colleges likely: it's above the middle 50% of their freshmen. Grades, courses and the rest of your file count too, and colleges admitting under 15% of applicants are a reach for everyone.
    Should I send a 1200 to test-optional colleges?
    At 619 of the 762 test-optional colleges where we estimate the typical score of freshmen who enrolled without one, a 1200 is at or above it, so sending it helps. Elsewhere, applying without it is usually the better call, unless the score earns a scholarship. Each college's row in the table gives the call.
    What ACT score is a 1200 SAT?
    A 1200 SAT matches a 25 on the ACT, by the concordance tables ACT and College Board published together in 2018.
    Should I retake the SAT with a 1200?
    It depends on your list. Fifty more points, 1250, would move up a band at 190 colleges, become worth sending at 47 colleges and meet a richer scholarship's SAT minimum at 31 colleges. If none of those colleges is on your list, you may get more from spending that time on the rest of your application.

    Have another question? Email us at team@getsharp.app.