Iowa Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What Iowa colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These Iowa 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 17 Iowa 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 Iowa 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.

ACT 20 Iowa Public Private 4 year

17 results

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List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 17 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 48 target schools (good chance), 15 reach (harder) schools and 18 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Northwestern College

N

Orange City, IA

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Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,651enrollment
$25,198net price
87%acceptance rate
940-1240SAT range
20-27ACT range
3.57Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances

University of Northern Iowa

N

Cedar Falls, IA

credit: source / license

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

8,945enrollment
$15,782net price
95%acceptance rate
1020-1330SAT range
20-26ACT range
3.61Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances

University of Dubuque

D

Dubuque, IA

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University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,776enrollment
$22,879net price
85%acceptance rate
828-1070SAT range
17-23ACT range
3.24Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances

Wartburg College

W

Waverly, IA

Wartburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,444enrollment
$23,683net price
97%acceptance rate
970-1120SAT range
19-25ACT range
3.48Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances

Saint Ambrose University

S

Davenport, IA

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Saint Ambrose University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

2,747enrollment
$23,359net price
74%acceptance rate
1020-1240SAT range
20-27ACT range
3.39Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances

Grand View University

G

Des Moines, IA

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,827enrollment
$20,236net price
98%acceptance rate
920-1080SAT range
17-22ACT range
3.3Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances

Upper Iowa University

U

Fayette, IA

Upper Iowa University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

#13 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

3,072enrollment
$24,563net price
54%acceptance rate
890-1050SAT range
18-24ACT range
3.34Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance49%

Compare Calculate my chances

Central College

C

Pella, IA

credit: source / license

Central College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,169enrollment
$23,303net price
79%acceptance rate
1040-1218SAT range
19-26ACT range
3.52Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances

Buena Vista University

B

Storm Lake, IA

credit: source / license

Buena Vista University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,973enrollment
$19,204net price
77%acceptance rate
930-1130SAT range
20-24ACT range
3.49Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances

Clarke University

C

Dubuque, IA

Clarke University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

965enrollment
$27,275net price
85%acceptance rate
920-1160SAT range
18-23ACT range
3.36Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances

Simpson College

S

Indianola, IA

credit: source / license

Simpson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Iowa

1,151enrollment
$23,185net price
89%acceptance rate
890-1280SAT range
20-27ACT range
3.62Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances

William Penn University

W

Oskaloosa, IA

William Penn University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,473enrollment
$20,922net price
58%acceptance rate
850-1080SAT range
16-21ACT range
3.0Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance70%

Compare Calculate my chances

Iowa Wesleyan College

I

Mount Pleasant, IA

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Iowa Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

871enrollment
$20,074net price
81%acceptance rate
830-1010SAT range
16-22ACT range
3.02Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances

Graceland University Lamoni

G

Lamoni, IA

Graceland University Lamoni

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

1,237enrollment
$16,627net price
74%acceptance rate
880-1120SAT range
16-24ACT range
3.22Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance74%

Compare Calculate my chances

Mercy College of Health Sciences

M

Des Moines, IA

Mercy College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

911enrollment
$22,433net price
97%acceptance rate
-SAT range
19-24ACT range
3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances

Emmaus Bible College

E

Dubuque, IA

Emmaus Bible College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

206enrollment
$15,521net price
100%acceptance rate
1100-1240SAT range
18-26ACT range
3.58Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

F

Ankeny, IA

Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

448enrollment
$14,845net price
52%acceptance rate
940-1230SAT range
17-23ACT range
3.42Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances