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.

Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
College of Coastal Georgia
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Aug 5

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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern University and A & M College
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Life Pacific College
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L
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 500enrollment
  • $22,395net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1085SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Webber International University
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,702enrollment
  • $18,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Mar 1

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Elizabeth City State University
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Jun 30

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California State University San Bernardino
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C
San Bernardino, CA

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Lander University
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L
Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,167enrollment
  • $15,524net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johnson C Smith University
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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 17 ACT
Admission Chance36%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Washington Tacoma Campus
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W
Tacoma, WA

University of Washington Tacoma Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 4,794enrollment
  • $10,680net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jun 30

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

Texas A & M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,306enrollment
  • $13,025net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 913-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Frostburg State University
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F
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,067enrollment
  • $16,114net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Feb 15

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.