Colleges for a 16 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 16 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 16 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 150 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 16 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 16 ACT bad?

A score of 16 is in the lower quarter of those who take the test. It situates you in the bottom 25th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your 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 16 score represents 44% of the total possible points. If a 16 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 16

Let's examine how a 16 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 16 is 4.3 points (21%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 16 is 4.6 points (22%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 16 is 5.7 points (26%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 16 is 0.3 points (2%) lower than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 16 is 2.3 points (13%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 16 is 8.9 points (36%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 16 is 1.2 points (7%) lower than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 16 is 0.9 points (5%) lower than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 16 is 4.6 points (22%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 16 is 4.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 16 ACT score?

A 16 on the ACT translates to a 890 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 16 ACT score?

Scoring a 16 on the ACT places you in the 25th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 25% 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 500,000 students with only 1,500,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 16 Public Private 4 year

150 results nationwide

List of 16 ACT Colleges

Displaying 150 colleges where your 16 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 411 target schools (good chance), 1,692 reach (harder) schools and 1,335 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fort Valley State University
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F
HBCU
Fort Valley, GA

Fort Valley State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,605enrollment
  • $13,016net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 810-950SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.87Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Jun 15

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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 16 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance84%

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of the Incarnate Word
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T
San Antonio, TX

University of the Incarnate Word

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 7,305enrollment
  • $20,832net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 910-1133SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jackson State University
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J
HBCU
Jackson, MS

Jackson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $15,292net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1073-1210SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jul 15

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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 16 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 16,995enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Jul 1

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance81%

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance85%

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance73%

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,208enrollment
  • $14,911net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 16 ACT
Admission Chance41%

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 16 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 16 ACT
Admission Chance22%

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Clayton State University
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C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,847enrollment
  • $9,792net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 890-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Jul 17

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 16 a good ACT score?

A score of 16 is in the lower quarter of those who take the test. The score puts you in the bottom 25th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 16 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 16 ACT score?

San Francisco State University, California State University Los Angeles and Clark Atlanta University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 16 ACT score.

What percentile is 16 on the ACT?

A 16 ranks in the bottom 25th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 16 ACT?

A 16 converts to a 890 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 890 SAT score.