North Carolina Colleges for a 15 on the ACT

With a 15 ACT, you are competitive at 35 four-year colleges in North Carolina (6 target, 22 reach, 7 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 850 SAT.

Colleges in North Carolina for a 15 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 15 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	15-20	17	78%	Medium
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC	15-19	17	82%	Medium
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC	12-16	14	34%	Medium
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC	13-18	15	45%	Medium
Livingstone College Salisbury, NC	14-21	17	59%	Medium
North Carolina Wesleyan University Rocky Mount, NC	15-21	18	80%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC	19-25	22	82%	Low
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	17-23	20	50%	Low
Wingate University Wingate, NC	18-25	21	91%	Low
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	17-18	17	87%	Low
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC	19-25	22	87%	Low
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC	20-27	23	62%	Low
Catawba College Salisbury, NC	17-25	21	75%	Low
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC	18-23	20	93%	Low
Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC	18-26	22	75%	Low
Gardner Webb University Boiling Springs, NC	19-25	22	77%	Low
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC	16-22	19	64%	Low
Guilford College Greensboro, NC	18-24	21	80%	Low

View all 22 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 15; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC	-	-	100%	High
Carolina Christian College Winston Salem, NC	-	-	100%	High
Carolina College of Biblical Studies Fayetteville, NC	-	-	100%	High
Shepherds Theological Seminary Cary, NC	-	-	100%	High
Heritage Bible College Dunn, NC	-	-	100%	High
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte, NC	-	-	100%	High
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College Wendell, North Carolina	-	-	100%	High

View the full list of colleges that accept a 15 ACT in North Carolina

See all colleges nationally for a 15 ACT

15 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 15 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
14	800
15	850
16	890
17	930
18	970

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026