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.

Lincoln College
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L
Lincoln, IL

Lincoln College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 888enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 710-800SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 16 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Macon State College
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M
Macon, Georgia
 

Macon State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 5,702enrollment
  • -net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.96Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance32%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Paine College
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P
HBCU
Augusta, GA
 

Paine College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 310enrollment
  • $15,877net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 776-976SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.81Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $22,396net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 10-27ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $19,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 928-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fisher College
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F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $26,257net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gordon College
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G
Barnesville, GA
 

Gordon College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,135enrollment
  • $8,185net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $29,238net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1122SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
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O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $19,100net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT

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Prescott College
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P
Prescott, AZ
 

Prescott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 969enrollment
  • $25,317net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1290SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Piedmont International University
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P
Winston Salem, NC
 

Piedmont International University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 691enrollment
  • $15,119net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 770-1230SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.07Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance16%

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Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance77%

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Edward Waters College
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E
HBCU
Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $13,649net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 820-990SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.64Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance84%

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Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance54%

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University of Hawaii West Oahu
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H
Pearl City, HI

University of Hawaii West Oahu

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 2,913enrollment
  • $9,103net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1180SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Le Moyne Owen College
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L
HBCU
Memphis, TN
 

Le Moyne Owen College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 609enrollment
  • $6,308net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 898-1093SAT range
  • 13-17ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT

Applications Due Apr 1

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Livingstone College
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L
HBCU
Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 839enrollment
  • $15,914net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 800-960SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 2.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance60%

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Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 16 ACT
Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Aug 1

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.