Colleges for a 17 on the ACT

What colleges can I apply to with an ACT score of 17?

With a 17 on the ACT, these colleges are a good match for your score

Looking at the most recent published freshman class ACT scores for all U.S. colleges, we've found 264 schools where submitting a 17 with your college application places you around the middle ACT score range of admitted students' average ACT scores. They represent the most popular schools where you will be a competitive applicant and those which have historically accepted a 17 ACT score. You can view your reach schools and safety schools by using the admission chance filter. Keep in mind, an ACT score alone won't get you admitted. It's equally important to have the GPA that the college is expecting for incoming students.

Is a 17 a good ACT score?

A score of 17 is pretty low. It places you in the bottom 31st percentile nationally out of the 2 million test takers of the ACT entrance exam. The score indicates you've done a well below average job answering the questions on the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the test. Since your score is on the lower end of the range, consider taking a test prep course and re-taking the ACT to see if you can do better.

What is the SAT equivalent to a 17 ACT score?

For comparison purposes, a 17 on the ACT converts to a 930 on the SAT based on the College Board / ACT concordance. Not all colleges report both SAT and ACT score admission data so you should check our comparable listings for both standardized tests to find academically similar schools.

What colleges can I get into?

Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.

Best ranked colleges for a 17 ACT score
CollegeAverage ACT
Woodbury University22
University of Alaska Fairbanks21
Notre Dame of Maryland University21
Gwynedd Mercy College20
Mount St. Mary's College19
Marymount University20
Pacific Union College21
Ursuline College20
Washington Adventist University20
Jefferson College of Health Sciences19
Saint Thomas Aquinas College20
Southern Connecticut State University20
Life University20
University of Hawaii at Hilo20
Central Connecticut State University20
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Schools By US Region
ACT 17 Public Private 4 year

264 results nationwide

List of 17 ACT Colleges

Displaying 264 colleges where your 17 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 771 target schools (good chance), 1,914 reach (harder) schools and 978 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 29,778enrollment
  • $15,166net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA
California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 28,036enrollment
  • $3,255net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 890-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance48%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA
California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,902enrollment
  • $10,271net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance76%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA
Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,911enrollment
  • $27,931net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1080SAT range
  • 17-20ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance46%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Morgan State University
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD
Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,712enrollment
  • $15,998net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 570-840SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.65Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Alabama State University
A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL
Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

17 Average ACT

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 4,413enrollment
  • $13,476net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 880-1020SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.89Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance97%
Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC
North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 12,142enrollment
  • $9,097net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 2.68Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance47%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Southern University
T
HBCU
Houston, TX
Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

16 Average ACT

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,732enrollment
  • $14,540net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 840-1000SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.96Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Kean University
Yes, connect me!
K
Union, NJ
Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

20 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 14,056enrollment
  • $17,490net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 920-1100SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance57%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA
Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,385enrollment
  • $18,034net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 830-1010SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance95%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Fresno
C
Fresno, CA
California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,137enrollment
  • $6,002net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance49%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Savannah State University
S
HBCU
Savannah, GA
Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 4,077enrollment
  • $9,557net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 900-1030SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 2.74Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance33%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
S
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,459enrollment
  • $17,086net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance86%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Albany State University
A
HBCU
Albany, GA
Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

16 Average ACT

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,371enrollment
  • $12,500net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 740-890SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.94Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Barry University
Yes, connect me!
B
Miami, FL
Barry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 7,186enrollment
  • $18,721net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 930-1080SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 2.92Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance38%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA
California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,212enrollment
  • $8,694net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance50%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX
Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,516enrollment
  • $13,460net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 870-1040SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance75%
Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC
North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 8,207enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 890-1050SAT range
  • 17-19ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance56%
Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 17 a good ACT score?

A score of 17 is pretty low. The score puts you in the bottom 31st percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 17 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 17 ACT score?

San Francisco State University, California State University Los Angeles and California State University Sacramento are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 17 ACT score.

What percentile is 17 on the ACT?

A 17 ranks in the bottom 31st percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 17 ACT?

A 17 converts to a 930 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 930 SAT score.