Scoring a 1450 on the SAT is an excellent accomplishment. With the SAT's maximum score being 1600, a 1450 places you among the top 3–5% of all test-takers. This strong performance demonstrates not only academic talent but also college readiness, making you a highly attractive candidate to many competitive colleges—both public and private. In this guide, we explore the best colleges that accept a 1450 SAT score, compare it to national averages, examine scholarship options, and assess if retaking the SAT is worthwhile.

Is 1450 a Good SAT Score for the First Time?

Absolutely. A 1450 SAT score is a stellar achievement—especially for a first-time attempt. It opens the doors to a broad range of selective colleges and universities, including top public flagships, many private research universities, and some elite liberal arts colleges. While a few Ivy League and top-tier schools might prefer even higher scores, your 1450 still gives you a strong shot—especially if you have a compelling GPA, powerful essays, extracurricular involvement, and recommendation letters.

Tip: Focus your efforts now on strengthening your overall application and looking for schools that offer generous merit scholarships to students in the 1450+ score range.

What Colleges Accept a 1450 SAT Score?

A 1450 SAT score is highly competitive for many top 50 U.S. universities and liberal arts colleges. While some Ivy League schools may have average scores slightly higher, they still admit students with 1450s—especially with strong holistic applications. Some schools where a 1450 is within or above their mid-50% SAT range include:

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Boston University
• University of Florida
• Villanova University
• University of Miami
• University of Texas at Austin
• Case Western Reserve University
• University of Wisconsin–Madison
• Northeastern University
• University of Georgia

How Does a 1450 SAT Score Compare to the National Average?

The national average SAT score for the Class of 2024 was 1024. That makes a 1450 score nearly 430 points above average, placing you in the top few percent of all test-takers. Stat Insight: According to the College Board, a 1450 SAT score ranks within the 96th to 98th percentile nationally. That means you're outperforming the vast majority of students across the country.

Should You Retake the SAT if You Score a 1450?

In most situations, you don’t need to retake the SAT. A 1450 is already high enough to qualify for competitive colleges and scholarships. However, there are a few reasons you might consider a retake:

• You’re applying to Ivy League or ultra-selective schools like MIT or Stanford, where the 75th percentile score is 1530+.
• You’re confident you can raise your score to 1500+ with targeted prep.
• You're aiming for top-tier merit-based scholarships that list 1500+ as a benchmark.

Otherwise, your time is better spent on strengthening your application in other areas.

1450 SAT to ACT Equivalent

A 1450 SAT score is approximately equivalent to an ACT score of 32–33. This level of performance is strong enough for admission at most colleges that accept the ACT as an alternative.

College Scholarships That Accept a 1450 SAT Score

Many universities offer merit-based scholarships to students with SAT scores of 1400 or higher. Here are a few notable examples:

• University of Alabama – Offers automatic merit scholarships for scores starting at 1360, with higher awards for 1450+.
• Arizona State University (ASU) – Provides the New American University Scholarship for high-scoring students.
• University of South Carolina – Merit scholarships for in-state and out-of-state students with SAT scores of 1400+.
• Temple University – Scholarships often awarded to applicants with SATs of 1400 or higher.
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) – Offers academic excellence scholarships starting around a 1360 SAT.
• University of Oklahoma – Generous scholarships available for students with a 1450+ SAT, including out-of-state tuition waivers.

Note: Each college sets its own scholarship policies, so check specific requirements and deadlines.

Top Colleges That Accept a 1450 SAT Score

A score of 1450 puts you in the top 5% of test-takers and makes you a very competitive applicant to many selective universities. The best colleges that often accept students with this score include Boston University, Northeastern University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Florida. These institutions highly regard excellent academic achievement coupled with well-rounded applications.

A 1450 SAT score is a powerful tool in your college admissions arsenal. It gives you access to some of the best public and private colleges in the country, increases your chances of landing scholarships, and puts you well above the national average. While it may not be at the level of ultra-elite schools like Harvard or MIT, it’s more than enough to get you into excellent institutions where you can thrive academically and socially.