Best colleges for 1250 SAT Score are listed here. If you have achieved a SAT score of 1250, 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 1250 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 1250 SAT Score Good for 2026?
Yes, a 1250 SAT score is considered Solid / Competitive. Nationally, this performance puts you in the 75th-88th percentile of nearly 2 million annual test-takers.
Strategic Admissions Guidance
Scoring a 1250 puts you well above the national average. You are a competitive applicant for the majority of four-year universities in the US and Canada. For the 2026 cycle, we recommend identifying 'Target' schools where your score is at or above their 75th percentile; this strategy maximizes your chances for automatic merit scholarships. If your GPA is also strong, you have a very high probability of admission at your listed Match schools.
What does a 1250 mean for your applications?
In the 2026 admissions cycle, universities are increasingly looking for 'data-backed' proof of academic readiness. A 1250 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 1250 applicant.
Best Colleges for 1250 SAT Score
Following is the list of colleges that accept 1250 SAT Score.
| Logo | Institute | State | Average SAT Score | SAT Reading Scores | SAT Math Scores | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo | Institute | State | Average SAT Score | SAT Reading Scores | SAT Maths Scores | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|
Gonzaga University | Washington | 1329 | 610 - 700 | 600 - 710 | 69.74% | Match |
|
Thomas Aquinas College | California | 1328 | 640 - 730 | 580 - 680 | 84.73% | Match |
|
Illinois Institute of Technology | Illinois | 1328 | 610 - 680 | 610 - 730 | 61.44% | Match |
|
University of Portland | Oregon | 1326 | 610 - 720 | 618 - 690 | 92.51% | Match |
|
United States Naval Academy | Maryland | 1326 | 600 - 720 | 600 - 720 | 10.75% | Reach |
|
Fairfield University | Connecticut | 1325 | 620 - 680 | 620 - 690 | 52.18% | Match |
|
New Jersey Institute of Technology | New Jersey | 1325 | 580 - 700 | 610 - 750 | 65.99% | Match |
|
University of San Francisco | California | 1323 | 610 - 700 | 600 - 710 | 71.18% | Match |
|
Indiana University-Bloomington | Indiana | 1322 | 590 - 690 | 590 - 710 | 82.41% | Match |
|
University of Washington-Bothell Campus | Washington | 1322 | 570 - 680 | 640 - 770 | 88.08% | Match |
|
Holy Cross College | Indiana | 1320 | 610 - 703 | 593 - 670 | 76.17% | Match |
|
Missouri University of Science and Technology | Missouri | 1320 | 570 - 660 | 603 - 710 | 81.49% | Match |
|
Warren Wilson College | North Carolina | 1320 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 83.98% | Safety |
|
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | New York | 1320 | 600 - 710 | 620 - 760 | 66.29% | Match |
|
Gustavus Adolphus College | Minnesota | 1320 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 73.9% | Safety |
|
Seton Hall University | New Jersey | 1317 | 620 - 700 | 610 - 690 | 75.07% | Match |
|
Pratt Institute-Main | New York | 1317 | 590 - 710 | 570 - 720 | 50.45% | Match |
|
Chapman University | California | 1316 | 600 - 700 | 600 - 700 | 72.52% | Match |
|
Covenant College | Georgia | 1315 | 590 - 710 | 550 - 670 | 84.13% | Match |
|
Miami University-Oxford | Ohio | 1312 | 600 - 690 | 600 - 700 | 87.92% | Match |
|
Knox College | Illinois | 1311 | 580 - 720 | 580 - 700 | 73.32% | Match |
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Florida State University | Florida | 1309 | 620 - 690 | 590 - 680 | 25.04% | Reach |
|
Ithaca College | New York | 1308 | 613 - 700 | 590 - 680 | 75.2% | Match |
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Loyola University Chicago | Illinois | 1308 | 600 - 690 | 580 - 680 | 79.15% | Match |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus | Pennsylvania | 1308 | 600 - 680 | 610 - 710 | 55.21% | Match |
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Texas Christian University | Texas | 1307 | 580 - 680 | 560 - 680 | 56.1% | Match |
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Beloit College | Wisconsin | 1306 | 610 - 690 | 580 - 670 | 65.86% | Match |
|
The University of Alabama | Alabama | 1304 | 570 - 690 | 560 - 720 | 80.06% | Match |
|
University of South Carolina-Columbia | South Carolina | 1304 | 600 - 690 | 580 - 690 | 64.05% | Match |
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Drake University | Iowa | 1304 | 560 - 670 | 550 - 670 | 67.23% | Match |
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The University of Texas at Dallas | Texas | 1304 | 580 - 700 | 590 - 730 | 84.74% | Match |
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The King's College | New York | 1302 | 620 - 700 | 570 - 640 | 45.27% | Match |
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Marquette University | Wisconsin | 1302 | 590 - 670 | 580 - 690 | 87.21% | Match |
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University of Colorado Boulder | Colorado | 1301 | 590 - 690 | 570 - 700 | 80.73% | Match |
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University of Puget Sound | Washington | 1301 | 600 - 700 | 570 - 690 | 82.66% | Match |
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DigiPen Institute of Technology | Washington | 1301 | 590 - 700 | 580 - 703 | 66.37% | Match |
|
Wofford College | South Carolina | 1300 | 610 - 680 | 590 - 673 | 60.18% | Match |
|
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Tennessee | 1299 | 590 - 660 | 580 - 670 | 68.41% | Match |
|
School of Visual Arts | New York | 1298 | 600 - 700 | 610 - 720 | 87.41% | Match |
|
Simmons University | Massachusetts | 1297 | 610 - 700 | 590 - 690 | 76.46% | Match |
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University of Maryland-Baltimore County | Maryland | 1295 | 610 - 690 | 600 - 700 | 80.55% | Match |
|
United States Coast Guard Academy | Connecticut | 1294 | 580 - 680 | 580 - 685 | 23.86% | Reach |
|
Roberts Wesleyan University | New York | 1294 | 580 - 650 | 570 - 690 | 99.5% | Match |
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Ursinus College | Pennsylvania | 1293 | 600 - 690 | 580 - 690 | 82.21% | Match |
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Auburn University | Alabama | 1292 | 610 - 680 | 610 - 700 | 43.74% | Match |
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Florida Polytechnic University | Florida | 1292 | 590 - 680 | 600 - 690 | 56.03% | Match |
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University of Alabama at Birmingham | Alabama | 1291 | 610 - 690 | 590 - 720 | 86.68% | Match |
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University of Delaware | Delaware | 1290 | 600 - 680 | 590 - 680 | 73.81% | Match |
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University of St Thomas | Minnesota | 1290 | 590 - 680 | 610 - 710 | 77% | Match |
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Mercer University | Georgia | 1288 | 600 - 680 | 590 - 680 | 74.68% | Match |
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University at Buffalo | New York | 1288 | 590 - 680 | 600 - 700 | 67.71% | Match |
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Marist College | New York | 1288 | 610 - 698 | 590 - 680 | 62.85% | Match |
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Hofstra University | New York | 1285 | 600 - 680 | 590 - 690 | 69.33% | Match |
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Loyola University Maryland | Maryland | 1285 | 600 - 690 | 580 - 670 | 83.48% | Match |
|
University of Dayton | Ohio | 1284 | 588 - 673 | 570 - 690 | 74.05% | Match |
|
The College of New Jersey | New Jersey | 1283 | 570 - 670 | 570 - 680 | 64.43% | Match |
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New Saint Andrews College | Idaho | 1283 | 600 - 680 | 540 - 640 | 82.96% | Match |
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Ohio Northern University | Ohio | 1282 | 570 - 660 | 590 - 680 | 54.37% | Match |
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Clarkson University | New York | 1282 | 580 - 680 | 610 - 690 | 78.42% | Match |
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Union University | Tennessee | 1281 | 570 - 700 | 530 - 670 | 52.55% | Match |
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University of Central Florida | Florida | 1281 | 610 - 680 | 590 - 680 | 41.04% | Match |
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SUNY at Purchase College | New York | 1281 | 620 - 700 | 570 - 650 | 74.68% | Match |
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Lake Forest College | Illinois | 1281 | 590 - 670 | 563 - 670 | 59.72% | Match |
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Texas A & M University-College Station | Texas | 1281 | 570 - 680 | 580 - 710 | 62.65% | Match |
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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Arizona | 1278 | 580 - 680 | 590 - 700 | 68% | Match |
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Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia | 1278 | 605 - 695 | 585 - 670 | 81.43% | Match |
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Elon University | North Carolina | 1278 | 590 - 680 | 580 - 680 | 74.46% | Match |
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Grove City College | Pennsylvania | 1277 | 580 - 690 | 550 - 670 | 70.98% | Match |
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University of Dallas | Texas | 1277 | 590 - 720 | 580 - 680 | 58.7% | Match |
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University of the Pacific | California | 1276 | 560 - 680 | 560 - 743 | 93.23% | Match |
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Agnes Scott College | Georgia | 1276 | 590 - 700 | 540 - 650 | 66.52% | Match |
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DePauw University | Indiana | 1275 | 570 - 670 | 570 - 690 | 65.8% | Match |
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Lipscomb University | Tennessee | 1275 | 580 - 670 | 550 - 650 | 71.12% | Match |
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Michigan State University | Michigan | 1273 | 580 - 670 | 580 - 690 | 87.95% | Match |
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SUNY College at Geneseo | New York | 1272 | 580 - 660 | 580 - 660 | 74.93% | Match |
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University of Oregon | Oregon | 1271 | 580 - 690 | 560 - 680 | 86.29% | Match |
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Belmont University | Tennessee | 1269 | 590 - 690 | 560 - 650 | 96.27% | Match |
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Seattle University | Washington | 1269 | 580 - 690 | 570 - 690 | 85.15% | Match |
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Allegheny College | Pennsylvania | 1269 | 577 - 692 | 537 - 680 | 69.65% | Match |
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University of North Carolina Wilmington | North Carolina | 1266 | 620 - 690 | 600 - 680 | 68.83% | Match |
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Kettering University | Michigan | 1266 | 560 - 680 | 570 - 690 | 80.75% | Match |
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Rollins College | Florida | 1265 | 590 - 690 | 560 - 660 | 49.99% | Match |
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John Carroll University | Ohio | 1264 | 590 - 660 | 570 - 660 | 82.37% | Match |
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Kalamazoo College | Michigan | 1264 | 610 - 700 | 590 - 670 | 79.25% | Match |
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New York Institute of Technology | New York | 1263 | 558 - 660 | 560 - 700 | 75.72% | Match |
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Illinois Wesleyan University | Illinois | 1263 | 560 - 660 | 560 - 670 | 42.22% | Match |
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Calvin University | Michigan | 1263 | 560 - 680 | 560 - 690 | 74.21% | Match |
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Butler University | Indiana | 1262 | 560 - 660 | 550 - 660 | 82.06% | Match |
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Southwestern University | Texas | 1262 | 570 - 685 | 550 - 670 | 44.79% | Match |
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Earlham College | Indiana | 1261 | 590 - 710 | 540 - 670 | 73.24% | Match |
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St. Mary's College of Maryland | Maryland | 1261 | 590 - 710 | 540 - 660 | 77.3% | Match |
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Valparaiso University | Indiana | 1260 | 580 - 680 | 560 - 680 | 94.15% | Match |
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University of Mary Washington | Virginia | 1260 | 610 - 690 | 560 - 650 | 85.79% | Match |
|
University of Alabama in Huntsville | Alabama | 1259 | 613 - 700 | 613 - 730 | 78.1% | Match |
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Saint Mary's College | Indiana | 1259 | 560 - 680 | 540 - 648 | 83.89% | Match |
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Washington College | Maryland | 1259 | 620 - 710 | 570 - 680 | 74.71% | Match |
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Champlain College | Vermont | 1259 | 603 - 698 | 560 - 650 | 55.68% | Match |
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California Lutheran University | California | 1258 | 580 - 660 | 570 - 660 | 87.18% | Match |
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Goucher College | Maryland | 1258 | 580 - 688 | 533 - 640 | 80.24% | Match |
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Duquesne University | Pennsylvania | 1257 | 590 - 670 | 570 - 660 | 87.49% | Match |
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Western Washington University | Washington | 1257 | 590 - 690 | 540 - 650 | 92.69% | Match |
|
Bryant University | Rhode Island | 1256 | 580 - 650 | 583 - 670 | 68.81% | Match |
|
University of North Carolina School of the Arts | North Carolina | 1256 | 590 - 690 | 525 - 660 | 31.78% | Match |
|
George Mason University | Virginia | 1255 | 580 - 670 | 560 - 680 | 90% | Match |
|
University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Massachusetts | 1255 | 580 - 668 | 590 - 680 | 85.95% | Match |
|
State University of New York at New Paltz | New York | 1254 | 590 - 680 | 570 - 660 | 58.27% | Match |
|
Cornell College | Iowa | 1253 | 600 - 690 | 570 - 690 | 79.33% | Match |
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Saint Michael's College | Vermont | 1253 | 600 - 678 | 560 - 637 | 85.15% | Match |
|
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology | South Dakota | 1252 | 570 - 680 | 590 - 698 | 82.69% | Match |
|
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Ohio | 1252 | 580 - 670 | 580 - 690 | 86.22% | Match |
|
Biola University | California | 1250 | 565 - 695 | 540 - 670 | 56.63% | Match |
|
Transylvania University | Kentucky | 1250 | 580 - 700 | 540 - 660 | 90.79% | Match |
|
Cedarville University | Ohio | 1250 | 580 - 690 | 550 - 690 | 64.88% | Match |
|
Hastings College | Nebraska | 1250 | 0 - 0 | 0 - 0 | 71.33% | Safety |
|
University of Missouri-Columbia | Missouri | 1249 | 580 - 670 | 560 - 670 | 79.13% | Match |
|
Westminster College | Utah | 1247 | 608 - 700 | 558 - 673 | 69.75% | Match |
|
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide | Florida | 1247 | 570 - 650 | 550 - 630 | 57.67% | Match |
|
Truman State University | Missouri | 1246 | 510 - 650 | 560 - 680 | 45.05% | Match |
|
Hendrix College | Arkansas | 1246 | 580 - 680 | 553 - 648 | 60.28% | Match |
|
Michigan Technological University | Michigan | 1245 | 560 - 670 | 570 - 680 | 93.68% | Match |
FAQ for SAT Score: 1250
How does a 1250 SAT score compare to the ACT?
A 1250 SAT score is roughly equivalent to a 26-27 on the ACT. While this is above average, it may not be enough to make you competitive for the most selective colleges. However, you can still be a strong applicant for many state universities, private schools with lower selectivity, and a range of mid-tier colleges.
What scholarships are available for a 1250 SAT score?
A 1250 SAT score can qualify you for merit-based scholarships at a variety of schools, especially public universities. Partial-tuition scholarships are common, and some private schools may offer financial assistance packages, although full scholarships are rare for students with scores in this range.
Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 1250 SAT score?
A 1250 SAT score is lower than the typical range for Ivy League schools, which tends to be closer to 1500-1600. This score may limit your chances of admission to these top-tier institutions, but there are still many excellent schools where a 1250 SAT score is competitive.
Should I retake the SAT to improve my score?
If you're targeting selective colleges, retaking the SAT could improve your chances of getting into your top-choice schools. However, if you're aiming for state universities or less competitive private schools, a 1250 may already place you in a competitive position. Consider whether retaking the test would result in a substantial improvement.
What is the national average SAT score?
The national average SAT score is around 1050. With a 1250, you are well above average and in a good position to apply to many public and private universities across the country.
Do test-optional colleges consider a 1250 SAT score if submitted?
Yes, test-optional colleges will still consider your 1250 SAT score if submitted. While your score may not be as high as the average for selective schools, it can still help your application stand out, especially if your essays, GPA, and extracurriculars are strong.
What GPA is a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT score is typically associated with a GPA around 3.4 to 3.6. This indicates that you have a solid academic record and can handle college-level coursework. Your GPA and SAT score combined will help make you a competitive applicant for a variety of colleges.
Can I get into NYU with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT score is below NYU's average, which is closer to 1500, but it’s still competitive for many other schools. For NYU, consider supplementing your application with a strong essay, extracurriculars, and recommendations that show you are a well-rounded applicant.
Is 1250 a good SAT score for Harvard?
A 1250 SAT score is below Harvard's typical range, which is closer to 1500-1600. While this score may not be sufficient for Harvard, it’s still strong and competitive for other excellent schools. Ensure that other aspects of your application are exceptional to compensate for your SAT score.
Can I get into MIT with a 1250 SAT?
MIT’s acceptance rate is very competitive, and a 1250 SAT is below their typical range of around 1500. To improve your chances, focus on strengthening other aspects of your application, such as STEM achievements, leadership roles, and strong letters of recommendation.
Can I get into Princeton with a 1250 SAT score?
Princeton typically admits students with SAT scores in the 1500s. A 1250 is below their typical range, so it may be difficult to gain admission. However, focusing on your essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities could help make your application more competitive.
Is a 1250 SAT score good?
Yes, a 1250 SAT score is good and places you above average, though it may not be competitive for the most selective colleges. For many public and mid-tier private universities, this score is solid, and it will make you a competitive candidate.
Which colleges can I get into with a 1250 SAT score?
A 1250 SAT score opens the door to many solid schools, including state universities and private colleges with moderate selectivity. Some options might include schools like University of Pittsburgh, Florida State University, and University of Alabama.
