Southern Colleges for a 16 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 16 ACT score?

These Southern 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 95 Southern 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 Southern 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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95 results

List of 16 ACT Colleges

Displaying 95 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 258 target schools (good chance), 708 reach (harder) schools and 474 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Jackson State University
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

Fayetteville State University
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

Bethune Cookman University
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%

Saint Augustines College
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%

University of Houston Downtown
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

Kentucky State University
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%

Midwestern State University
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%

Alcorn State University
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%

Clayton  State University
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

Huston Tillotson University
H
HBCU
Austin, TX

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

Paul Quinn College
P
HBCU
Dallas, TX

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

University of North Carolina at Pembroke
N
Pembroke, NC

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

College of Coastal Georgia
C
Brunswick, GA

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

Southern University and A & M College
S
HBCU
Baton Rouge, LA

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

University of Maryland Eastern Shore
M
HBCU
Princess Anne, MD

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

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%

Elizabeth City State University
E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

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

Johnson C Smith University
J
HBCU
Charlotte, NC

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%