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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1
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.

Fisher College
Connect Me
F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $26,257net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gordon College
Connect Me
G
Barnesville, GA
 

Gordon College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,135enrollment
  • $8,185net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
Connect Me
O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $19,100net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Prescott College
Connect Me
P
Prescott, AZ
 

Prescott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 969enrollment
  • $25,317net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1290SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Piedmont International University
Connect Me
P
Winston Salem, NC
 

Piedmont International University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 691enrollment
  • $15,119net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 770-1230SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.07Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance14%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Francis Marion University
Connect Me
F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Edward Waters College
Connect Me
E
HBCU
Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $13,649net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 820-990SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.64Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gallaudet University
Connect Me
G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance48%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Le Moyne Owen College
Connect Me
L
HBCU
Memphis, TN
 

Le Moyne Owen College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 609enrollment
  • $6,308net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 898-1093SAT range
  • 13-17ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Livingstone College
Connect Me
L
HBCU
Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 839enrollment
  • $15,914net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 800-960SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 2.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance55%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern University at New Orleans
Connect Me
S
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Southern University at New Orleans

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $14,999net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.4Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carroll College
Connect Me
C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,168enrollment
  • $23,916net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1200SAT range
  • 13-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Feb 28

Compare Calculate my chances 
Centenary University
Connect Me
C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,498enrollment
  • $21,935net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Wesleyan College
Connect Me
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 15 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi Valley State University
Connect Me
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 15 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilberforce University
Connect Me
W
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH
 

Wilberforce University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 656enrollment
  • $14,070net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 840-940SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.82Estimated Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
York College
Connect Me
Y
York, NE
 

York College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 626enrollment
  • $17,835net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 800-1125SAT range
  • 14-27ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance45%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alderson Broaddus College
Connect Me
A
Philippi, WV
 

Alderson Broaddus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 767enrollment
  • $19,499net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1060SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance47%

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.