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.

California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,460enrollment
  • $5,801net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Jan 19

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Southern University
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T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Virginia State University
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V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Savannah State University
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S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,945enrollment
  • $9,452net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Albany State University
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A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,334enrollment
  • $14,672net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
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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 15 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Winston Salem State University
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W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alabama A & M University
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A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due May 31

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South Carolina State University
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S
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,649enrollment
  • $17,435net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 800-1050SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lamar University
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L
Beaumont, TX

Lamar University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 16,803enrollment
  • $11,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 15 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Central State University
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C
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH

Central State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 5,434enrollment
  • $10,194net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 770-950SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fayetteville State University
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F
HBCU
Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 6,787enrollment
  • $6,355net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Bethune Cookman University
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B
HBCU
Daytona Beach, FL

Bethune Cookman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,727enrollment
  • $15,769net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 830-980SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Augustines College
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S
HBCU
Raleigh, NC

Saint Augustines College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

14 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,108enrollment
  • $20,081net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 780-940SAT range
  • 12-16ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance66%

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Chicago State University
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C
Chicago, IL

Chicago State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 2,317enrollment
  • $6,446net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 750-963SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance34%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 15 ACT
Admission Chance87%

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.