Is 1090 a Good SAT Score? Colleges That Accept a 1090 SAT

Many schools in the U.S. use the SAT as part of their college admissions process. The SAT is a standardized test to help schools assess your college readiness, including test-taking and logic skills. Even those who don't use the SAT for admissions often require it for merit-based scholarships and course placement.

As a result, it's important to aim for a good SAT score. There are two parts to the SAT: the reading and writing section and the math section. You'll receive individual scores for each section as well as a combined final score, which can range from 400 to a perfect score of 1600.

A score of 1090 is acceptable, but it's not going to get you into more selective schools. Keep reading to learn more about SAT scores and to find colleges that accept a 1090 SAT score.

Is 1090 a Good SAT Score?

SAT scores can range from 400 to 1600, but what's considered a good score? Is 1090 a good SAT score?

A 1090 is above the national average score of 1050. However, it's still not considered a great SAT score. It's not going to get you into Ivy League colleges or more selective schools. That said, many schools will accept a 1090 SAT score. Whether or not it's a ''good'' score for you will depend on the requirements of your target school.

How Is the SAT Scored?

According to College Board, the organization that distributes the SAT, the exam is scored using the Item Response Theory (IRT) method. This method is highly complex, but essentially takes several things into account when scoring the exam, including the difficulty of the questions.

This is because both the SAT reading and SAT math tests are broken into two modules. The first module for each section has between 20 and 25 questions, and all students have the same mix of easy, medium, and hard questions. The second module varies in difficulty based on how well you answered the questions in your first module.

What Percentile Is 1090 on the SAT?

A 1090 score is in the 65th percentile, according to the SAT percentiles released by College Board. This means that test takers scoring a 1090 scored higher than 65% of all test takers.

For context, the 65th percentile in the reading and writing section is a 550 � in the math section it's a 540. Since the total score is a combination of these, your individual scores may vary slightly.

Will Colleges Accept a 1090 SAT Score?

There are many colleges that accept a 1090 SAT score. Depending on the school, you may need to meet other requirements aside from your score. You may also need to submit letters of recommendation and personal essays.

Often, colleges use a holistic admissions process. This means they consider not just your SAT scores but things like your GPA, class rank, extracurricular activities, and life experiences. To increase your admissions chances, try to have a well-rounded college application.

Should I Retake the SAT if I Got a 1090?

If there are still test dates before your application is due, it may be wise to retake your SAT, especially if you believe you can get a higher score. Many students struggle on their first attempt but do much better on their second, as they know what to expect.

Before your second attempt, take some time to do some test prep, like an SAT prep course or SAT practice tests. Focus on the areas you struggled with the first time around.

Colleges That Accept a 1090 on the SAT

While 1090 isn't a great score, there are still many schools in the U.S. that will accept it. Below, we've highlighted some of the top schools that accept a 1090 SAT score.

1. Franklin University

Franklin University is a nonprofit private school in Columbus, OH. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields like business, criminal justice, healthcare, and social sciences.

The university has an open admissions policy, meaning it accepts all students who meet the minimum requirements. At Franklin, this is a high school diploma; the school does not take GPA or test scores into consideration.

SAT requirements: Test blind

Average in-state tuition: $9,577

Average out-of-state tuition: $9,577

Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission

2. Thomas Edison State University

At Thomas Edison State University, students can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online. The school is geared toward adult learners, and areas of study include business, liberal arts, health sciences, and social sciences.

TESU is also open admissions and test blind. Students under the age of 20 must complete a free online orientation course before they enroll.

SAT requirements: Test blind

Average in-state tuition: $6,838

Average out-of-state tuition: $8,856

Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3. California State University, Chico

California State University, Chico offers bachelor's and master's degrees online and on campus in fields like business, engineering, and social sciences. CSU Chico is a public university in Chico, CA. Students here may qualify for free tuition through the Cal Grant.

The school is test blind; however, students who have taken standardized tests should send in their scores so the college can determine math and English course placement. California residents with a GPA above 2.5 are automatically admitted to CSU Chico, while those with a score between 2.0 and 2.49 are considered based on additional factors.

SAT requirements: Test blind

Average in-state tuition: $8,472

Average out-of-state tuition: $21,072

Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WASCUC)

4. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in both in-person and online formats. Areas of study include business, computer science, healthcare, and psychology.

SNHU, located in Manchester, NH, is a private, nonprofit school known best for its variety of online programs. It does not look at SAT or ACT scores for admissions, and other requirements vary depending on whether the student is studying on campus or online.

SAT requirements: Test blind

Average in-state tuition: $17,200

Average out-of-state tuition: $17,200

Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)

5. North Dakota State University

North Dakota State University is a public research institution in Fargo, ND. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields like business, engineering, family sciences, and health sciences.

NDSU is test-optional, meaning students do not have to submit standardized test scores, but they can if they believe it will boost their college application. According to College Navigator, only one applicant submitted test scores for the 2023 school year. The school instead focuses on things like high school coursework and GPA.

North Dakota and Minnesota residents may qualify for free tuition through the NDSU Tuition Award Program.

SAT requirements: Test optional

Average in-state tuition: $11,110

Average out-of-state tuition: $15,764

Accreditation: HLC

6. University of Texas at El Paso

Students at the University of Texas at El Paso can earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in person and online. Areas of study include biological sciences, business, engineering, and healthcare. Texas residents may qualify for free tuition through the school's Paydirt Promise.

UTEP, a public university, is located in El Paso, TX. It determines acceptance based on class rank and test scores, with guaranteed admission for students with an SAT score above 1070. The average SAT score range here is 870 to 1090.

SAT requirements: 1070 minimum for guaranteed admission

Average in-state tuition: $9,744

Average out-of-state tuition: $25,502

Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

7. University of Alabama

The University of Alabama offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields such as business communication, health sciences, and social sciences. The University of Alabama is a public research institution in Tuscaloosa, AL.

Bama is test-optional, with an average SAT range of 1170 to 1400 for those who do choose to submit scores. The university employs a holistic admissions process, allowing students to increase their chances of admission in other ways. Bama also offers several financial aid options to help students pay for their degrees.

SAT requirements: Test optional

Average in-state tuition: $12,180

Average out-of-state tuition: $34,172

Accreditation: SACSCOC

8. Georgia State University

In-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at Georgia State University. Areas of study include biological sciences, business, computer science, and social sciences.

GSU, located in Atlanta, is a public research university. It only requires standardized test scores for students with a GPA under 2.0.

However, it's recommended that all applicants with a GPA under 3.1 submit test scores to determine placement for their English and math courses. The minimum scores for placement are a 480 in the reading section and a 440 in the math section. The average SAT scores at GSU range from 970 to 1210.

SAT requirements: 480 for reading and 440 for math for collegiate placement

Average in-state tuition: $8,664

Average out-of-state tuition: $24,840

Accreditation: SACSCOC

9. East Carolina University

East Carolina University is a public institution in Greenville, NC. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields like business, education, engineering, and healthcare.

ECU is test-optional for students with a GPA above 2.8. The average SAT score range here is 1030 to 1200, but there is no minimum SAT score required.

SAT requirements: Test optional for students with a GPA above 2.8, no minimum

Average in-state tuition: $7,361

Average out-of-state tuition: $23,638

Accreditation: SACSCOC

10. Texas State University

Through Texas State University, students can earn in-person and online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Areas of study include business, communications, healthcare, and humanities.

TXST, a public research institution, is located in San Marcos, TX. It does not require those who rank in the top 75th percentile of their graduating class do not need to submit test scores.

There is no minimum test score requirement, but if you graduated in the 50th percentile of your class with a distinguished or recommended diploma and have an SAT score of 1090 or above, you qualify for assured admissions. The average SAT score for applicants is between 980 and 1190.

SAT requirements: No minimum

Average in-state tuition: $11,450

Average out-of-state tuition: $22,930

Accreditation: SACSCOC

How We Rank Schools

To choose the schools for this college list, we focused on four-year public or nonprofit private institutions that meet the following criteria:

• Accreditation: All schools are regionally accredited.
• Admissions requirements: Every school on this list accepts an SAT score of 1090, though some may require you to meet additional admissions requirements.
• Affordability: Each institution either has highly affordable tuition or offers comprehensive financial aid packages to students.

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