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.

Grambling State University
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G
HBCU
Grambling, LA

Grambling State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 5,058enrollment
  • $15,796net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 840-990SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance34%

Compare Calculate my chances 
St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,370enrollment
  • $28,654net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance53%

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Wesley College
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W
Dover, DE

Wesley College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 917enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 820-1050SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.93Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT

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Greensboro College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 826enrollment
  • $19,581net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 900-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance73%

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The University of Texas at El Paso
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T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 23,880enrollment
  • $9,563net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT

Applications Due May 1

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Texas A & M International University
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T
Laredo, TX

Texas A & M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance36%

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Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
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A
Tifton, GA

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,647enrollment
  • $7,260net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance55%

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The University of Texas Pan American
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T
Edinburg, TX

The University of Texas Pan American

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,559enrollment
  • $8,105net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 830-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,015enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • 13-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance20%

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Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance57%

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Notre Dame College
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N
Cleveland, OH
 

Notre Dame College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $20,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.09Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance66%

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Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Aug 31

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San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus
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S
Calexico, California

San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 808enrollment
  • -net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 850-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance32%

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Sul Ross State University
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S
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,987enrollment
  • $13,130net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance95%

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Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,725enrollment
  • $22,117net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,830enrollment
  • $19,951net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance65%

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,514enrollment
  • $18,779net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance98%

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Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance62%

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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.