Best Private Colleges for a 1350 SAT Score: Reach, Match, and Likely Options

A 1350 SAT score is a strong result. College Board’s current percentile data places it at about the 94th nationally representative percentile and the 89th percentile among recent SAT test takers, meaning you performed better than most students nationwide.

But a 1350 does not mean the same thing at every private college. At one university, it may sit almost exactly at the middle of the enrolled-student range. At another, it may fall well below the scores submitted by most admitted students. At a third, it may place you toward the stronger end of the applicant pool.

That is why the better question is not simply, “What private colleges can I get into with a 1350?”

It is:

“Where does my complete academic profile fit, and where does submitting a 1350 actually help me?”

The reach, match, and likely categories below should be used as planning guides rather than admission guarantees. GPA, course rigor, intended major, essays, activities, recommendations, application round, financial need, and each college’s current testing policy can all change the picture.

Reach Private Colleges for a 1350 SAT

A 1350 can still be part of a strong application to highly selective private universities, but at several of them the score currently falls below the typical submitted-score range.

Boston University should generally be treated as a reach. BU’s Fall 2024 Common Data Set reported a middle 50% SAT range of 1430–1510 among enrolled students who submitted testing. For the Class of 2030, BU reported an average SAT of 1470 and an overall admit rate of 14.8%. BU remains test-optional through fall 2028, including for scholarship consideration.

With a 1350, the more important decision may therefore be whether submitting the score strengthens the rest of your academic profile. If your GPA and course rigor are considerably stronger than the test result, BU’s test-optional policy gives you flexibility.

Northeastern University is an even more ambitious option from a testing perspective. Northeastern currently reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1480–1540 for admitted students, while its Fall 2025 Common Data Set shows a 1440–1510 range among enrolled students who submitted scores. Only 22% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores.

A 1350 is therefore well below Northeastern’s recent submitted-score profile. If the rest of the application is strong, a test-optional strategy may make more sense than assuming the SAT needs to be included.

Villanova University should also remain a reach. For the Class of 2030, Villanova reports a 1440–1520 middle 50% SAT range, a 29.6% admit rate, and middle 50% unweighted GPAs of 3.85–4.10. Nearly half of admitted students applied test-optional, and Villanova’s test-optional policy currently continues through the Class of 2031.

A 1350 sits below the recently submitted score range, so the transcript, rigor, activities, essays, and recommendations become especially important.

The University of Rochester is another reasonable reach. Its 2025–26 Common Data Set reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1400–1510, with a median of 1450. More than 72% of students who submitted SAT scores earned a 1400 or higher.

A 1350 is below that recent range, so Rochester should not be treated as a comfortable match simply because the score is nationally strong.

Private Colleges Where 1350 Fits More Naturally

The middle of your college list should include institutions where a 1350 compares reasonably well with current student data and where the rest of your academic profile can make you genuinely competitive.

Fordham University is a useful example. For the Class of 2030, Fordham reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1380–1490 among admitted students and 1355–1470 among enrolled students. Fordham is test-optional, and 70.2% of enrolled students did not submit test scores.

A 1350 sits just below the enrolled middle 50% range, so Fordham may be a realistic match or high match depending on GPA, coursework, campus, intended program, and the rest of the application. It is close enough that the submission decision should be made in context rather than by a rigid cutoff.

At Drexel University, a 1350 fits almost exactly in the center of the recently submitted-score profile. Drexel’s 2025–26 Common Data Set reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1260–1430, with a median of 1350. Drexel also uses a “No Harm Test-Optional” policy: strong scores can strengthen an application, but scores that would hurt the application are not used in the admission review.

That makes Drexel one of the clearest examples of a private university where a 1350 can be a useful score to submit, assuming the rest of the application is solid.

The University of Denver also fits well into this portion of the list. For students accepted for Fall 2025, Denver reports a middle 50% SAT range of 1230–1410, with an average around 1320. The university uses holistic review and considers essays, recommendations, activities, and the academic record alongside testing.

A 1350 sits comfortably inside Denver’s current range, making it a reasonable college to research for students whose GPA and coursework also align.

Hofstra University is another strong fit. For Fall 2026 admitted students who submitted SAT scores, Hofstra reports a middle range of 1300–1450. Only 32% of admitted students submitted scores, and Hofstra remains test-optional for most applicants.

A 1350 therefore sits comfortably within Hofstra’s current submitted-score range. That does not make admission automatic, but it means the SAT is unlikely to look out of place in the academic profile.

Strong Likely Options to Research

A likely college should be a school where your full academic profile makes admission more predictable—not simply a university where your SAT is above average. It should also be somewhere you would genuinely be willing to attend.

At Loyola University Chicago, the middle 50% SAT range for Fall 2025 admitted students who submitted scores was 1200–1370, with a mean weighted high-school GPA of 3.82. Loyola is test-optional.

A 1350 sits near the upper end of that current range, so Loyola may be a strong likely or lower-match option for a student with solid grades and appropriate coursework.

DePaul University provides an even stronger score comparison. For Fall 2025 first-year students, DePaul reports an overall middle 50% SAT range of 1070–1290 among students who submitted scores. The range varies by college—for example, Computing and Digital Media reported 1100–1322—but a 1350 remains above the university-wide range.

That makes DePaul a strong likely option to investigate for many students with a 1350, while still paying attention to the competitiveness of the intended program.

At Quinnipiac University, the current published first-year profile reports an average SAT score of 1238 and an average high-school GPA of 3.60.

A 1350 is substantially above that average, which can make Quinnipiac a useful option for students whose GPA and overall record are also strong.

Pace University can also provide a more predictable option. Pace reports that it admitted 24,918 of 31,753 first-year applicants, or about 78%, in its current university statistics, with an average incoming high-school GPA of 3.6.

That does not mean every applicant with a 1350 will be admitted—specific programs can be more competitive—but Pace may offer a useful combination of admission predictability and professional opportunities in the New York area.

Should You Submit a 1350 at a Test-Optional College?

This decision should be made college by college.

At Drexel, Denver, Hofstra, Loyola Chicago, and similar schools where 1350 falls within or above the recent submitted-score range, the score can provide useful academic evidence.

At Northeastern, Villanova, Rochester, or BU, a 1350 sits below recent submitted-score ranges. If your transcript shows stronger academic performance than the score, test-optional may allow the rest of your record to represent you more effectively.

But do not use the middle 50% range as an absolute rule.

At test-optional colleges, those ranges often reflect only students who chose to submit scores. The strongest test takers may be disproportionately represented, which can push the published range upward.

Instead, ask whether the score adds something useful.

Does it support strong grades? Does one section align particularly well with your intended major? Does the college consider scores for scholarships or special programs? Does it provide useful academic context for your school?

Those questions are more meaningful than simply asking whether 1350 is above or below one percentile line.

Your Intended Major Can Change the Category

A college that appears to be a match overall may still be a reach for a selective program.

Architecture, nursing, direct-entry health programs, business, engineering, computer science, and performing arts programs can have additional requirements or much more competitive applicant pools.

Drexel provides a clear example. Its university-wide SAT profile places 1350 at the median, but students applying to its BA/BS+MD Early Assurance Program for Fall 2026 had an average SAT of 1523 among those admitted.

The same university can therefore be a reasonable match for one applicant and an extreme reach for another depending on program choice.

Always research the actual school, college, or major—not simply the university name.

Private Colleges Can Look Expensive Before Aid

Private universities often have high published tuition, but the sticker price does not tell you what your family will actually pay.

Institutional grants, merit scholarships, and need-based financial aid can substantially change the final cost. That means a private college that initially looks unaffordable may sometimes have a net price comparable to—or lower than—a public option.

The University of Denver, for example, reported that 99% of new undergraduates received financial assistance in its recently published profile, with annual merit scholarships ranging from $12,000 to $33,000 at that time.

Loyola Chicago similarly reports that 99% of students receive grants or scholarships, with recent initial merit scholarship ranges of $14,000–$31,000.

These figures can change by entering the year, so do not treat them as guaranteed awards. Use each college’s official net-price calculator and current scholarship pages before deciding whether the school is financially realistic.

The Prepitus Scholarship and Merit Aid Estimator can help you explore possible scenarios before checking the university’s official criteria.

Should You Retake a 1350?

A retake should have a purpose.

If most of your target colleges look like Drexel, Denver, Hofstra, Loyola, or similar institutions, a 1350 may already support your application well. Spending months chasing another 20 points might have less value than improving essays, protecting senior-year grades, or preparing scholarship applications.

The situation changes if your list is dominated by BU, Northeastern, Villanova, Rochester, or similarly selective universities. Their recently submitted score ranges begin well above 1350, so moving toward 1400–1450 or higher could make your testing profile more competitive.

Another attempt may also make sense when your practice tests are consistently above 1350, or one section is clearly weaker than the other.

Do not retake simply because a higher score sounds better.

Ask:

“What would 1400 or 1450 change about my college list?”

If the answer is very little, your time may be more valuable elsewhere.

Build a Private-College List Around More Than Prestige

One of the biggest mistakes students make is filling the entire list with famous private universities because a 1350 feels like a high score.

Nationally, it is.

But highly selective admissions operate in applicant pools where many students also have exceptional grades, rigorous courses, high test scores, strong activities, and compelling applications.

A balanced private-college list might include ambitious reaches such as BU, Northeastern, Villanova, or Rochester; more realistic options such as Fordham, Drexel, Denver, or Hofstra; and stronger likely options such as Loyola Chicago, DePaul, Quinnipiac, or Pace.

The exact categories should move according to your GPA, intended program, academic rigor, testing decision, activities, application round, and financial situation.

Your likely schools should not be afterthoughts. They should be places where you can genuinely imagine studying, growing, and affording four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 1350 SAT score good?

Yes. College Board currently places a 1350 at about the 94th nationally representative percentile and the 89th percentile among recent SAT test takers.

Is a 1350 competitive for Boston University?

BU’s recent enrolled-student middle 50% SAT range was 1430–1510, and its Class of 2030 average SAT was 1470. A 1350 is therefore below the current submitted-score profile, so BU should generally remain a reach.

Is a 1350 a good score for Fordham?

Fordham’s Class of 2030 enrolled-student middle 50% SAT range is 1355–1470. A 1350 is just below that range, making the score close enough to evaluate in the context of GPA, rigor, program, and the rest of the application.

Is 1350 competitive for Drexel?

Yes. Drexel’s 2025–26 Common Data Set reports a middle 50% range of 1260–1430 and a median SAT of exactly 1350 among enrolled students who submitted scores.

What private colleges may be likely options with a 1350?

Depending on GPA and the rest of the application, schools such as Loyola Chicago, DePaul, Quinnipiac, and Pace may provide more predictable options. A likely school should still be evaluated for major strength, cost, campus fit, and program-specific requirements.

Should I retake a 1350?

Retake if a higher score would materially change your target-college positioning, scholarship opportunities, or section balance, and your practice results show realistic improvement potential. Otherwise, another part of your application may deserve more attention.

Final Thoughts

A 1350 SAT score gives you a wide range of private-college options, but the strongest list will not be built from the score alone.

BU, Northeastern, Villanova, and Rochester remain ambitious because their recently submitted score profiles are higher. Fordham, Drexel, Denver, and Hofstra can fit more naturally into the middle of a balanced list. Loyola Chicago, DePaul, Quinnipiac, Pace, and similar institutions can provide strong options where 1350 compares more favorably with recent data.

Use those categories as a starting point—not a prediction.

Then compare your GPA, course rigor, intended major, application strength, financial aid, scholarship possibilities, campus environment, and career opportunities.

You can use the Prepitus College Match Tool as one planning input and the College Cost Reality Check to keep affordability in the conversation.

If you are also considering colleges where 1300-level scores fit well, continue with Best Private Colleges for Students With a 1300 SAT Score.

A 1350 is already a strong score.

The smarter strategy is making sure the colleges on your list are equally strong academic, personal, and financial fits.