Southern Colleges for a 17 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 17 ACT score?

These Southern colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 17 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 145 Southern colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 17 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 Southern colleges

Is a 17 ACT bad?

A score of 17 is pretty low. It situates you in the bottom 31st percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your well below average 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 17 score represents 47% of the total possible points. If a 17 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 17

Let's examine how a 17 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 17 is 3.3 points (16%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 17 is 3.6 points (17%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 17 is 4.7 points (22%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 17 is 0.7 points (4%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 17 is 1.3 points (7%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 17 is 7.9 points (32%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 17 is 0.2 points (1%) lower than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 17 is 0.1 points (1%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 17 is 3.6 points (17%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 17 is 3.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 17 ACT score?

A 17 on the ACT translates to a 930 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 17 ACT score?

Scoring a 17 on the ACT places you in the 31st percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 31% 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 620,000 students with only 1,380,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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145 results

List of 17 ACT Colleges

Displaying 145 colleges where your 17 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 408 target schools (good chance), 627 reach (harder) schools and 474 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Northeastern State University
N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,702enrollment
  • $9,669net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance98%

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 23

Delta State University
D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Warner University
W
Lake Wales, FL
 

Warner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 849enrollment
  • $20,431net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Wayland Baptist University
W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Aug 1

Shorter University
S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,515enrollment
  • $13,490net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1290SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 25

East Central University
E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,376enrollment
  • $10,221net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1078SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Mount Olive College
M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,239enrollment
  • $17,878net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Arizona Christian University
A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,082enrollment
  • $28,755net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Bethel University
B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,686enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 928-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance84%

North Carolina Wesleyan College
N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,337enrollment
  • $18,701net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance63%

New Mexico State University Main Campus
N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,268enrollment
  • $10,407net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Emmanuel College
E
Franklin Springs, GA
 

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 850enrollment
  • $19,921net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance50%

Mississippi Valley State University
M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 1,879enrollment
  • $11,598net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Salem College
S
Winston Salem, NC

Salem College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 469enrollment
  • $18,354net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1053-1200SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Henderson State University
H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,519enrollment
  • $17,656net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Jul 15

Faulkner University
F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,817enrollment
  • $20,050net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Texas A & M University Texarkana
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 17 ACT
Admission Chance87%