Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 20 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 614 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 20 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 20 ACT good?

A score of 20 is about average. It situates you in the top 51st percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your about 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 20 score represents 56% of the total possible points. If a 20 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 20

Let's examine how a 20 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 20 is 0.3 points (1%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 20 is 0.6 points (3%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 20 is 1.7 points (8%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 20 is 3.7 points (23%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 20 is 1.7 points (9%) higher than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 20 is 4.9 points (20%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 20 is 2.8 points (16%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 20 is 3.1 points (18%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 20 is 0.6 points (3%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 20 is 0.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 20 ACT score?

A 20 on the ACT translates to a 1040 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 20 ACT score?

Scoring a 20 on the ACT places you in the 51st percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 51% 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 1,020,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 980,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 20 Public Private 4 year

614 results nationwide

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 614 colleges where your 20 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 1,788 target schools (good chance), 936 reach (harder) schools and 1,407 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

California Baptist University
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C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
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P
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $30,276net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of South Alabama
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S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,438enrollment
  • $15,664net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1003-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Texas Woman's University
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T
Denton, TX

Texas Woman's University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 15,958enrollment
  • $11,682net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Campbell University
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C
Buies Creek, NC

Campbell University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 5,272enrollment
  • $24,280net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

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University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 7,305enrollment
  • $20,832net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 910-1133SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Kent State University at Kent
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K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 25,854enrollment
  • $19,046net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jackson State University
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J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $15,292net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1073-1210SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Eastern Michigan University
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E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,018enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

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Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Sep 6

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Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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B
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 16,920enrollment
  • $20,485net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 14,156enrollment
  • $13,187net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

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Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

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University of Idaho
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I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,507enrollment
  • $14,954net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance62%

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

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Saint Cloud State University
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S
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 10,420enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1027-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 20 a good ACT score?

A score of 20 is about average. The score puts you in the top 51st percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 20 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 20 ACT score?

East Carolina University, University of Hawaii at Manoa and Texas State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 20 ACT score.

What percentile is 20 on the ACT?

A 20 ranks in the top 51st percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 20 ACT?

A 20 converts to a 1040 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1040 SAT score.