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.

Saint Peter's University
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S
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peter's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in New Jersey

  • 3,430enrollment
  • $11,996net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-28ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wilmington College
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W
Wilmington, OH
 

Wilmington College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $24,528net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 850-1010SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus
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S
Magnolia, AR

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 5,094enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 905-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Aug 27

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Alderson Broaddus College
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A
Philippi, WV
 

Alderson Broaddus College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 767enrollment
  • $19,499net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 900-1060SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
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A
HBCU
Pine Bluff, AR

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,387enrollment
  • $9,959net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 805-1045SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Blackburn College
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B
Carlinville, IL

Blackburn College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 382enrollment
  • $21,575net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 888-1125SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance52%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Union College
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U
Barbourville, KY

Union College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 970enrollment
  • $18,221net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 955-1148SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance42%

Compare Calculate my chances 
McPherson College
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M
McPherson, KS
 

McPherson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 822enrollment
  • $25,065net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 908-1120SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southwestern Assemblies of God University
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S
Waxahachie, TX

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,794enrollment
  • $19,217net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 926-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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Kentucky Wesleyan College
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K
Owensboro, KY

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 813enrollment
  • $20,735net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
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E
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in New Mexico

  • 5,106enrollment
  • $8,702net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 840-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance20%

Applications Due Aug 24

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Keuka College
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K
Keuka Park, NY
 

Keuka College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#55 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,250enrollment
  • $28,397net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 940-1133SAT range
  • 16-19ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bethany College
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B
Lindsborg, KS
 

Bethany College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 744enrollment
  • $29,546net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 883-1020SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tougaloo College
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T
HBCU
Tougaloo, MS
 

Tougaloo College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 677enrollment
  • $13,718net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 790-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.8Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance43%

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Multnomah University
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M
Portland, OR
 

Multnomah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 608enrollment
  • $27,695net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1220SAT range
  • 16-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Dickinson State University
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D
Dickinson, ND

Dickinson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in North Dakota

  • 1,473enrollment
  • $14,971net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.11Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance67%

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Rockford University
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R
Rockford, IL
 

Rockford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $25,047net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 840-1086SAT range
  • 12-20ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance59%

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University of Saint Mary
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S
Leavenworth, KS
 

University of Saint Mary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Kansas

  • 1,267enrollment
  • $21,887net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 935-1066SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance76%

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.