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.

Northwood University Florida
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N
West Palm Beach, Florida
 

Northwood University Florida

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 664enrollment
  • $16,764net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.13Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Point University
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P
East Point, GA
 

Point University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,015enrollment
  • $19,890net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 850-1100SAT range
  • 13-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance22%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Wesleyan University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,578enrollment
  • $15,652net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Notre Dame College
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N
Cleveland, OH
 

Notre Dame College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,444enrollment
  • $20,151net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.09Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dominican University
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D
River Forest, IL

Dominican University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,196enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 31

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San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus
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S
Calexico, California

San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 808enrollment
  • -net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 850-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sul Ross State University
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S
Alpine, TX

Sul Ross State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,987enrollment
  • $13,130net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 850-1080SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Roosevelt University
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R
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,725enrollment
  • $22,117net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 840-1080SAT range
  • 16-26ACT range
  • 3.13Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance81%

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Claflin University
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C
HBCU
Orangeburg, SC

Claflin University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,830enrollment
  • $19,951net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance78%

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Columbia College
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,514enrollment
  • $18,779net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 850-1140SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Averett University
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A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance67%

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Lincoln College
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L
Lincoln, IL

Lincoln College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 888enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 710-800SAT range
  • 16-18ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Macon State College
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M
Macon, Georgia
 

Macon State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 5,702enrollment
  • -net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.96Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance39%

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Paine College
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P
HBCU
Augusta, GA
 

Paine College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 310enrollment
  • $15,877net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 776-976SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.81Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Hartwick College
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H
Oneonta, NY

Hartwick College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#41 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $22,396net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 10-27ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance58%

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University of South Carolina Beaufort
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S
Bluffton, SC

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 2,124enrollment
  • $16,113net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 940-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance71%

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Newberry College
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N
Newberry, SC

Newberry College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,312enrollment
  • $19,405net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 928-1103SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance66%

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Fisher College
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F
Boston, MA

Fisher College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#32 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,421enrollment
  • $26,257net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 800-1070SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance68%

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.