Colleges for a 17 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 17 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 17 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 252 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 17 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 17 ACT bad?

A score of 17 is pretty low. It situates you in the bottom 31st percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your well below average 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 17 score represents 47% of the total possible points. If a 17 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 17

Let's examine how a 17 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 17 is 3.3 points (16%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 17 is 3.6 points (17%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 17 is 4.7 points (22%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 17 is 0.7 points (4%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 17 is 1.3 points (7%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 17 is 7.9 points (32%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 17 is 0.2 points (1%) lower than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 17 is 0.1 points (1%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 17 is 3.6 points (17%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 17 is 3.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 17 ACT score?

A 17 on the ACT translates to a 930 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 17 ACT score?

Scoring a 17 on the ACT places you in the 31st percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 31% 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 620,000 students with only 1,380,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 17 Public Private 4 year

252 results nationwide

List of 17 ACT Colleges

Displaying 252 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 705 target schools (good chance), 1,623 reach (harder) schools and 1,338 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
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M
North Adams, MA
 

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 938enrollment
  • $15,377net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Defiance College
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D
Defiance, OH
 

Defiance College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 540enrollment
  • $23,196net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 860-1110SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.12Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilberforce University
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W
HBCU
Wilberforce, OH
 

Wilberforce University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 656enrollment
  • $14,070net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 840-940SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.82Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Faulkner University
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F
Montgomery, AL

Faulkner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,817enrollment
  • $20,050net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rochester College
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R
Rochester Hills, MI
 

Rochester College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $18,665net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 840-1060SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M University Texarkana
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T
Texarkana, TX

Texas A & M University Texarkana

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 2,110enrollment
  • $10,646net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hiram College
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H
Hiram, OH

Hiram College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,018enrollment
  • $19,384net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tusculum College
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T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,303enrollment
  • $20,414net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southwestern College
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S
Winfield, KS
 

Southwestern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,174enrollment
  • $27,003net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1220SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Aug 22

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Louisiana State University Alexandria
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L
Alexandria, LA

Louisiana State University Alexandria

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 4,289enrollment
  • $7,274net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance45%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rust College
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R
HBCU
Holly Springs, MS

Rust College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 755enrollment
  • $8,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 440-1339SAT range
  • 17-18ACT range
  • 2.66Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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Coker College
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C
Hartsville, SC

Coker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,160enrollment
  • $19,345net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Thiel College
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T
Greenville, PA
 

Thiel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 907enrollment
  • $22,732net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 965-1165SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Medaille College
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M
Buffalo, NY
 

Medaille College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#57 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,727enrollment
  • $14,992net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.14Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Alaska Fairbanks
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A
Fairbanks, AK

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#1 Best Public Universities in Alaska

  • 6,607enrollment
  • $9,450net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Applications Due Jun 15

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Erskine College
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E
Due West, SC

Erskine College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 956enrollment
  • $36,581net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 920-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance37%

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Oakland City University
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O
Oakland City, IN
 

Oakland City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 880enrollment
  • $17,103net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 850-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Aug 1

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York College
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Y
York, NE
 

York College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 626enrollment
  • $17,835net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 800-1125SAT range
  • 14-27ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance50%

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.