North Carolina Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What North Carolina colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These North Carolina 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 29 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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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29 results

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 29 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 90 target schools (good chance), 33 reach (harder) schools and 36 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 29,551enrollment
  • $13,951net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jun 1

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due Jun 1

Wingate University
W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

Campbell University
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%

Catawba College
C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Aug 15

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,666enrollment
  • $8,208net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due May 1

Belmont Abbey College
B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $23,522net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Gardner Webb University
G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,144enrollment
  • $22,339net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jun 30

Guilford College
G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $23,882net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Greensboro College
G
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 826enrollment
  • $19,581net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 900-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Barton College
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,265enrollment
  • $23,443net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Chowan University
C
Murfreesboro, NC
 

Chowan University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 886enrollment
  • $17,334net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 880-1085SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 2.89Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%

William Peace University
W
Raleigh, NC

William Peace University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 713enrollment
  • $23,041net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1033-1151SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Brevard College
B
Brevard, NC

Brevard College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 759enrollment
  • $24,220net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 965-1155SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance40%