Colleges for a 15 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 15 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 15 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 67 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 15 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 15 ACT bad?

A score of 15 is not very competitive. It situates you in the bottom 19th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your very 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 15 score represents 42% of the total possible points. If a 15 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 15

Let's examine how a 15 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 15 is 5.3 points (26%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 15 is 5.6 points (27%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 15 is 6.7 points (31%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 15 is 1.3 points (8%) lower than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 15 is 3.3 points (18%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 15 is 9.9 points (40%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 15 is 2.2 points (13%) lower than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 15 is 1.9 points (11%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 15 is 5.6 points (27%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 15 is 5.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 15 ACT score?

A 15 on the ACT translates to a 850 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 15 ACT score?

Scoring a 15 on the ACT places you in the 19th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 19% 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 380,000 students with only 1,620,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 15 Public Private 4 year

67 results nationwide

List of 15 ACT Colleges

Displaying 67 colleges where your 15 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 171 target schools (good chance), 1,638 reach (harder) schools and 1,335 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $14,864net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 903-1115SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance20%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Huston Tillotson University
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H
HBCU
Austin, TX

Huston Tillotson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 840-1000SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.92Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance41%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Paul Quinn College
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P
HBCU
Dallas, TX

Paul Quinn College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 938enrollment
  • $8,994net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 855-1015SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.6Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bloomfield College
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B
Bloomfield, NJ

Bloomfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,153enrollment
  • $20,320net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 770-960SAT range
  • 14-16ACT range
  • 2.69Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Coastal Georgia
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C
Brunswick, GA

College of Coastal Georgia

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,147enrollment
  • $12,117net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern University and A & M College
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S
HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

Southern University and A & M College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,320enrollment
  • $16,959net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Webber International University
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W
Babson Park, FL
 

Webber International University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,133enrollment
  • $27,995net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 853-1060SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.98Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance39%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Johnson C Smith University
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J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,093enrollment
  • $20,045net price
  • 25%acceptance rate
  • 800-980SAT range
  • 13-18ACT range
  • 2.48Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance25%

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Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,058enrollment
  • $15,796net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 840-990SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance28%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wesley College
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W
Dover, DE

Wesley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 917enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.93Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,015enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • 13-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance18%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance52%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,514enrollment
  • $18,779net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Paine College
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P
HBCU
Augusta, GA
 

Paine College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 310enrollment
  • $15,877net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 776-976SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.81Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance36%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $22,396net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 10-27ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 15 a good ACT score?

A score of 15 is not very competitive. The score puts you in the bottom 19th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 15 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 15 ACT score?

California State University Los Angeles, Texas Southern University and Virginia State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 15 ACT score.

What percentile is 15 on the ACT?

A 15 ranks in the bottom 19th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 15 ACT?

A 15 converts to a 850 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 850 SAT score.