Colleges for a 16 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 16 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 16 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 150 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 16 ACT score. However, it's crucial to remember that a good ACT score is not the sole criterion for admission. In fact, may colleges are now test optional. It's equally significant to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) that aligns with the college's expectations for incoming students. The creation of this list is rooted in a comprehensive analysis of ACT scores from students admitted to all U.S. colleges

Is a 16 ACT bad?

A score of 16 is in the lower quarter of those who take the test. It situates you in the bottom 25th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your poor performance in answering questions in the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the exam. The ACT is scored out of a maximum of 36 and a minimum of 1, meaning your 16 score represents 44% of the total possible points. If a 16 does not meet the requirements of your preferred college, you might want to consider enrolling in a test prep course to potentially enhance your score.

Demographic comparisons for a 16

Let's examine how a 16 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 16 is 4.3 points (21%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 16 is 4.6 points (22%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 16 is 5.7 points (26%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 16 is 0.3 points (2%) lower than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 16 is 2.3 points (13%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 16 is 8.9 points (36%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 16 is 1.2 points (7%) lower than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 16 is 0.9 points (5%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 16 is 4.6 points (22%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 16 is 4.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 16 ACT score?

A 16 on the ACT translates to a 890 on the SAT according to the concordance provided by the College Board and ACT. It's important to note that not all colleges disclose admission data for both the SAT and ACT. As such, we recommend checking our listings for each test to identify schools with similar academic profiles.

What percentile is a 16 ACT score?

Scoring a 16 on the ACT places you in the 25th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 25% of all test takers. To put this in perspective, about 2 million students sit for the ACT each year. Thus, with your score, you've outperformed about 500,000 students with only 1,500,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1
ACT 16 Public Private 4 year

150 results nationwide

List of 16 ACT Colleges

Displaying 150 colleges where your 16 ACT score is within the typical range of past accepted students. You have a chance at being accepted but admission may be challenging at more selective colleges. Hint: Filter by admission chance for 411 target schools (good chance), 1,692 reach (harder) schools and 1,335 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Texas A & M University Texarkana
Connect Me
T
Texarkana, TX

Texas A & M University Texarkana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 2,110enrollment
  • $10,646net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hiram College
Connect Me
H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,018enrollment
  • $19,384net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Coker College
Connect Me
C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,160enrollment
  • $19,345net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
York College
Connect Me
Y
York, NE
 

York College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 626enrollment
  • $17,835net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 800-1125SAT range
  • 14-27ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilmington College
Connect Me
W
Wilmington, OH
 

Wilmington College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $24,528net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 850-1010SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alderson Broaddus College
Connect Me
A
Philippi, WV
 

Alderson Broaddus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 767enrollment
  • $19,499net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1060SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance52%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Connect Me
A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $9,959net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 805-1045SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Blackburn College
Connect Me
B
Carlinville, IL

Blackburn College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 382enrollment
  • $21,575net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 888-1125SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance48%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Union College
Connect Me
U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 970enrollment
  • $18,221net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 955-1148SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Connect Me
E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,106enrollment
  • $8,702net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance17%

Applications Due Aug 24

Compare Calculate my chances 
Keuka College
Connect Me
K
Keuka Park, NY
 

Keuka College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#55 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,250enrollment
  • $28,397net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1133SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bethany College
Connect Me
B
Lindsborg, KS
 

Bethany College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 744enrollment
  • $29,546net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 883-1020SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tougaloo College
Connect Me
T
HBCU
Tougaloo, MS
 

Tougaloo College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 677enrollment
  • $13,718net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 790-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Multnomah University
Connect Me
M
Portland, OR
 

Multnomah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 608enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 16-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dickinson State University
Connect Me
D
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $14,971net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rockford University
Connect Me
R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $25,047net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 840-1086SAT range
  • 12-20ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance55%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Saint Mary
Connect Me
S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,267enrollment
  • $21,887net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 935-1066SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Judson University
Connect Me
J
Elgin, IL

Judson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 973enrollment
  • $19,268net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance42%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 16 a good ACT score?

A score of 16 is in the lower quarter of those who take the test. The score puts you in the bottom 25th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 16 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 16 ACT score?

San Francisco State University, California State University Los Angeles and Clark Atlanta University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 16 ACT score.

What percentile is 16 on the ACT?

A 16 ranks in the bottom 25th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 16 ACT?

A 16 converts to a 890 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 890 SAT score.