1498 SAT Colleges: Best Schools for 1498 SAT Score

Best colleges for 1498 SAT Score are listed here. If you have achieved a SAT score of 1498, then you must choose at least 5 of the below listed colleges, as not only your chances of admissions will be good but also these colleges will be a good match for you. The following list of best suitable colleges for 1498 SAT scores is given so that you can choose a more suitable college, and may not choose a less competitive college or loose admissions because you have applied to a more competitive college.

Is a 1498 SAT Score Good for 2026?

Yes, a 1498 SAT score is considered Outstanding. Nationally, this performance puts you in the 96th-98th percentile of nearly 2 million annual test-takers.

Strategic Admissions Guidance

With a 1498, you are an extremely strong candidate for 'Public Ivies' like UC Berkeley, UVA, and the University of Michigan. While this score is within the middle 50% range for many elite colleges, if you are targeting the most selective Tier 1 schools, ensure your Math subscore is particularly high if you are a STEM major. For 2026, many of these institutions have returned to requiring scores, so your 1498 provides a significant advantage over test-optional applicants.

What does a 1498 mean for your applications?

In the 2026 admissions cycle, universities are increasingly looking for 'data-backed' proof of academic readiness. A 1498 serves as a standardized metric that complements your GPA. However, remember that admissions officers also weigh your extracurricular involvement, leadership roles, and the difficulty of your high school curriculum (AP/IB classes).

To help you build a balanced college list, we have analyzed thousands of data points from the Common Data Set (CDS) to categorize the schools below into Reach, Match, and Safety categories specifically for a 1498 applicant.

Best Colleges for 1498 SAT Score

Following is the list of colleges that accept 1498 SAT Score.

LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Math ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
LogoInstituteStateAverage SAT ScoreSAT Reading ScoresSAT Maths ScoresAcceptance RateStatus
University of Chicago University of ChicagoIllinois1554 740 - 770770 - 800 4.79% Reach
Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins UniversityMaryland1553 750 - 780780 - 800 7.56% Reach
Stanford University Stanford UniversityCalifornia1553 740 - 780770 - 800 3.91% Reach
Rice University Rice UniversityTexas1553 730 - 770770 - 800 7.88% Reach
Harvard University Harvard UniversityMassachusetts1553 740 - 780760 - 800 3.45% Reach
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts1553 730 - 780780 - 800 4.74% Reach
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt UniversityTennessee1550 740 - 770770 - 790 6.28% Reach
Columbia University in the City of New York Columbia University in the City of New YorkNew York1547 730 - 770760 - 800 4.23% Reach
Brown University Brown UniversityRhode Island1546 740 - 770760 - 800 5.23% Reach
University of Pennsylvania University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania1545 730 - 770770 - 800 5.87% Reach
Carnegie Mellon University Carnegie Mellon UniversityPennsylvania1545 730 - 770770 - 800 11.4% Reach
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Franklin W Olin College of EngineeringMassachusetts1540 720 - 770760 - 790 21.66% Reach
Duke University Duke UniversityNorth Carolina1539 740 - 770770 - 800 6.78% Reach
Harvey Mudd College Harvey Mudd CollegeCalifornia1537 720 - 770760 - 790 13.06% Reach
Princeton University Princeton UniversityNew Jersey1535 740 - 780760 - 800 4.5% Reach
Yale University Yale UniversityDelaware1534 740 - 780760 - 800 4.5% Reach
Dartmouth College Dartmouth CollegeNew Hampshire1533 740 - 780760 - 790 6.23% Reach
Washington University in St Louis Washington University in St LouisMissouri1530 730 - 770770 - 800 11.96% Reach
Swarthmore College Swarthmore CollegePennsylvania1527 720 - 770740 - 790 6.94% Reach
New York University New York UniversityNew York1527 720 - 770760 - 800 9.41% Reach
Williams College Williams CollegeMassachusetts1527 730 - 770740 - 790 9.99% Reach
Northwestern University Northwestern UniversityIllinois1526 730 - 770760 - 790 7.15% Reach
Cornell University Cornell UniversityNew York1520 720 - 770760 - 790 8.16% Reach
Pomona College Pomona CollegeCalifornia1520 730 - 770750 - 790 6.76% Reach
Bowdoin College Bowdoin CollegeMaine1514 730 - 760750 - 790 8.02% Reach
Claremont McKenna College Claremont McKenna CollegeCalifornia1514 710 - 770740 - 790 11.12% Reach
Wesleyan University Wesleyan UniversityDelaware1513 720 - 770730 - 770 17.1% Reach
Tufts University Tufts UniversityMassachusetts1513 710 - 760750 - 790 10.13% Reach
Wellesley College Wellesley CollegeMassachusetts1513 720 - 770720 - 780 13.91% Reach
Vassar College Vassar CollegeNew York1513 720 - 770715 - 780 17.73% Reach
Emory University-Oxford College Emory University-Oxford CollegeGeorgia1513 700 - 760750 - 790 17.25% Reach
University of Notre Dame University of Notre DameIndiana1510 710 - 760730 - 780 12.38% Reach
Jewish Theological Seminary of America Jewish Theological Seminary of AmericaNew York1507 730 - 779710 - 780 45.07% Match
Emory University Emory UniversityGeorgia1507 710 - 760750 - 790 11.1% Reach
Northeastern University Northeastern UniversityMassachusetts1505 710 - 760750 - 790 5.65% Reach
Washington and Lee University Washington and Lee UniversityVirginia1504 710 - 750700 - 780 17.36% Reach
University of Southern California University of Southern CaliforniaCalifornia1501 700 - 760740 - 790 10.02% Reach
Case Western Reserve University Case Western Reserve UniversityOhio1501 700 - 750730 - 790 28.68% Reach
Boston College Boston CollegeMassachusetts1501 710 - 760720 - 780 15.65% Reach
Middlebury College Middlebury CollegeVermont1500 720 - 770710 - 780 10.37% Reach
Colby College Colby CollegeMaine1500 710 - 760730 - 790 6.83% Reach
Barnard College Barnard CollegeNew York1500 723 - 770730 - 780 7.96% Reach
Haverford College Haverford CollegePennsylvania1498 710 - 760720 - 780 12.91% Reach
Amherst College Amherst CollegeMassachusetts1494 690 - 770670 - 780 9.82% Reach
Georgetown University Georgetown UniversityDistrict of Columbia1494 700 - 770690 - 780 13.08% Reach
Carleton College Carleton CollegeMinnesota1491 710 - 760720 - 790 22.28% Match
University of Virginia-Main Campus University of Virginia-Main CampusVirginia1488 700 - 750710 - 780 16.86% Reach
Hamilton College Hamilton CollegeNew York1487 700 - 770710 - 780 11.77% Reach
Grinnell College Grinnell CollegeIowa1486 698 - 760720 - 790 12.68% Reach
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and ArtNew York1480 680 - 740720 - 780 19.05% Match
Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island School of DesignRhode Island1480 680 - 760690 - 780 13.81% Reach
Scripps College Scripps CollegeCalifornia1480 720 - 760700 - 770 33.94% Match
Colgate University Colgate UniversityNew York1480 710 - 750720 - 780 11.95% Reach
University of Rochester University of RochesterNew York1480 690 - 750710 - 790 35.85% Match
Webb Institute Webb InstituteNew York1480 670 - 745720 - 780 20% Match
Smith College Smith CollegeMassachusetts1480 718 - 770690 - 770 19.73% Match
University of Richmond University of RichmondVirginia1474 690 - 750720 - 780 23.31% Match
Brandeis University Brandeis UniversityMassachusetts1473 690 - 750700 - 780 35.31% Match
Boston University Boston UniversityMassachusetts1473 680 - 740720 - 780 10.85% Reach
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor University of Michigan-Ann ArborMichigan1473 670 - 750680 - 780 17.94% Reach
Northeastern University Oakland Northeastern University OaklandCalifornia1472 670 - 740720 - 780 16.54% Reach
Wake Forest University Wake Forest UniversityNorth Carolina1469 690 - 740700 - 770 21.56% Match
Villanova University Villanova UniversityPennsylvania1466 690 - 740710 - 770 25.12% Match
University of Maryland-College Park University of Maryland-College ParkMaryland1463 670 - 740700 - 780 44.84% Match
Occidental College Occidental CollegeCalifornia1461 690 - 750670 - 750 39.89% Match
William & Mary William & MaryVirginia1458 695 - 750670 - 760 32.72% Match
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNorth Carolina1454 680 - 750690 - 780 18.74% Match
Davidson College Davidson CollegeNorth Carolina1448 690 - 750670 - 760 14.48% Reach
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusGeorgia1447 650 - 740680 - 790 16.46% Reach
Stevens Institute of Technology Stevens Institute of TechnologyNew Jersey1447 670 - 730700 - 770 43.44% Safety
Bates College Bates CollegeMaine1446 700 - 740700 - 770 13.02% Reach
Colorado College Colorado CollegeColorado1445 690 - 760675 - 760 20.03% Match
Tulane University of Louisiana Tulane University of LouisianaLouisiana1443 690 - 750700 - 760 14.59% Reach
Oberlin College Oberlin CollegeOhio1440 700 - 760670 - 750 32.98% Safety
Kenyon College Kenyon CollegeOhio1440 690 - 750670 - 750 30.71% Safety
Babson College Babson CollegeMassachusetts1435 660 - 720720 - 780 19.74% Match
Hillsdale College Hillsdale CollegeMichigan1433 670 - 760670 - 750 20.59% Match
George Washington University George Washington UniversityDistrict of Columbia1433 680 - 750670 - 750 43.54% Safety
Lehigh University Lehigh UniversityPennsylvania1432 670 - 730680 - 760 29.26% Match
Southern Methodist University Southern Methodist UniversityTexas1424 660 - 730660 - 750 61.22% Safety
Macalester College Macalester CollegeMinnesota1424 680 - 750670 - 760 28.21% Match
Mount Holyoke College Mount Holyoke CollegeMassachusetts1422 690 - 750660 - 750 38.29% Safety
Reed College Reed CollegeOregon1420 670 - 760630 - 750 27.16% Match
Lafayette College Lafayette CollegePennsylvania1419 670 - 730670 - 760 31.47% Safety
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIllinois1418 630 - 730640 - 780 43.69% Safety
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FAQ for SAT Score: 1498

How does a 1498 SAT score compare to the ACT?

A 1498 SAT score is equivalent to about a 32-33 on the ACT. This places you in the top 5% of test takers, indicating solid academic abilities. However, while it’s strong, it’s important to remember that some of the most competitive schools might still expect scores closer to 1500 or higher. Don’t be discouraged—this score is still impressive and can open many doors.

What scholarships are available for a 1498 SAT score?

A 1498 SAT score can help you qualify for various merit-based scholarships, especially at public universities and some private institutions. Many state schools offer automatic scholarships for scores in this range. While this score might not automatically guarantee full scholarships at top-tier universities, you can still apply for competitive scholarships at many schools, especially with strong extracurriculars.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 1498 SAT score?

A 1498 SAT score can be competitive for Ivy League schools, but it may be below their average range, which is closer to 1500-1550. While Ivy League admissions are highly competitive, your application’s overall strength, including strong essays, extracurricular activities, and recommendation letters, can make up for the slightly lower SAT score. Consider applying to a range of schools to increase your chances.

Should I retake the SAT to improve my score?

While a 1498 is a strong score, it’s always worth considering whether retaking the SAT could benefit you. If you're aiming for a higher percentile or applying to highly selective colleges that expect scores closer to 1500 or higher, a retake could help improve your chances. However, if you're applying to schools where a 1498 is within or above the middle 50% range, there may be little benefit to retaking it.

What is the national average SAT score?

The national average SAT score is around 1050, so a 1498 places you well above average. This score demonstrates excellent academic performance and shows that you're on the higher end of the bell curve. You’re definitely in a strong position compared to the general applicant pool.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 1498 SAT score if submitted?

Yes, submitting a 1498 SAT score to test-optional colleges will likely strengthen your application. Even in a test-optional policy, your SAT score can highlight your academic strengths and place you ahead of students who chose not to submit any test scores. It’s still a good idea to submit your score if it is strong enough to enhance your application.

What GPA is a 1498 SAT?

A 1450 SAT score typically correlates with a GPA of around 3.8 or higher, depending on the rigor of your coursework. This indicates that you're excelling academically and would likely be considered a strong applicant at many colleges. If your GPA and SAT score align well, it demonstrates that you can handle challenging courses and have the discipline to succeed.

Can I get into NYU with a 1498 SAT?

A 1498 SAT score is competitive for NYU, but it’s below their average range, which is closer to 1500-1550. NYU looks for well-rounded applicants with strong academic credentials, extracurricular involvement, and compelling essays. If you have these strengths, your 1450 SAT score will be a solid part of your application.

Is 1498 a good SAT score for Harvard?

While a 1498 is a good score, it’s below Harvard’s typical range, which is closer to 1550 or higher. Harvard’s admissions process is extremely selective, and a lower SAT score means you’ll need to stand out in other areas, such as leadership roles, impactful extracurriculars, and a strong personal essay. However, it’s always worth applying if you feel your application is strong overall.

Can I get into MIT with a 1498 SAT?

MIT typically admits students with SAT scores in the 1500-1600 range, so a 1498 would be below their typical threshold. While it’s still a strong score, your application will need to shine in other ways, such as through rigorous coursework, stellar recommendations, and significant achievements in STEM or other relevant areas. It’s worth considering other highly competitive schools as well.

Can I get into Princeton with a 1498 SAT score?

A v SAT score can make you competitive for Princeton, but it's on the lower end of their typical range, which tends to be 1500 or higher. With Princeton’s holistic admissions, your essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities will need to be exceptional to make up for a lower SAT score. If you have unique achievements or experiences, a 1498 can still help you stand out.

Is a 1450 SAT score good?

Yes, a 1498 SAT score is excellent! This score places you in the top 5% of all test-takers and is above the average for most universities. While it may not be in the 1600 range, it's still a very strong score that will make you a competitive applicant for a wide range of schools, including many highly selective ones.

Which colleges can I get into with a 1498 SAT score?

With a 1498 SAT score, you’re competitive at many top universities, including selective schools like UCLA, University of Michigan, and University of North Carolina. While Ivy League and highly selective schools may be more challenging to get into with this score, there are many prestigious colleges that will view you as a strong applicant. Always remember that the rest of your application will play a big role too, so make sure to showcase your full potential.

Best Colleges for SAT Score Ranges

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