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.

ACT 16 Public Private 4 year

150 results nationwide

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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.

University of Hawaii at Hilo

H

Hilo, HI

credit: source / license

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

2,977enrollment
$13,867net price
84%acceptance rate
960-1200SAT range
16-21ACT range
3.36Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Huston Tillotson University

H

HBCU

Austin, TX

credit: 2C2KPhotography / license

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 16 ACT

Admission Chance47%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Eastern Washington University

E

Cheney, WA

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Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

10,910enrollment
$12,827net price
96%acceptance rate
880-1090SAT range
16-23ACT range
3.29Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Sep 10

Compare Calculate my chances

Paul Quinn College

P

HBCU

Dallas, TX

credit: 2C2KPhotography / license

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 16 ACT

Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Northeastern Illinois University

N

Chicago, IL

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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 16 ACT

Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

N

Pembroke, NC

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University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

7,666enrollment
$8,208net price
90%acceptance rate
890-1140SAT range
16-21ACT range
3.44Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance84%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Bloomfield College

B

Bloomfield, NJ

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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 16 ACT

Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances

College of Coastal Georgia

C

Brunswick, GA

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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 16 ACT

Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 5

Compare Calculate my chances

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

L

HBCU

Lincoln University, PA

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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 16 ACT

Admission Chance77%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Southern University and A & M College

S

HBCU

Baton Rouge, LA

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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 16 ACT

Admission Chance46%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

M

HBCU

Princess Anne, MD

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University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

2,518enrollment
$12,020net price
82%acceptance rate
840-1010SAT range
16-19ACT range
3.07Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Life Pacific College

L

San Dimas, CA

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Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

500enrollment
$22,395net price
94%acceptance rate
930-1085SAT range
16-25ACT range
2.91Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance90%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances

Webber International University

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 16 ACT

Admission Chance44%

Compare Calculate my chances

Elizabeth City State University

E

HBCU

Elizabeth City, NC

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Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

2,149enrollment
$4,120net price
74%acceptance rate
850-1070SAT range
16-22ACT range
3.16Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Jun 30

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University San Bernardino

C

San Bernardino, CA

credit: source / license

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 16 ACT

Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

Johnson C Smith University

J

HBCU

Charlotte, NC

credit: source / license

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 16 ACT

Admission Chance30%

Compare Calculate my chances

University of Washington Tacoma Campus

W

Tacoma, WA

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University of Washington Tacoma Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

4,794enrollment
$10,680net price
88%acceptance rate
960-1180SAT range
16-24ACT range
3.41Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jun 30

Compare Calculate my chances

Texas A & M University Commerce

T

Commerce, TX

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Texas A & M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

11,306enrollment
$13,025net price
86%acceptance rate
913-1150SAT range
16-23ACT range
3.36Avg GPA

Your 16 ACT

Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 15

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.