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.

Gordon College
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G
Barnesville, GA
 

Gordon College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,135enrollment
  • $8,185net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 870-1080SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern Kentucky University
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E
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 14,324enrollment
  • $10,806net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 940-1185SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johnson & Wales University Charlotte
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J
Charlotte, NC
 

Johnson & Wales University Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,140enrollment
  • $29,238net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 890-1122SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Young Harris College
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Y
Young Harris, GA

Young Harris College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,511enrollment
  • $18,910net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 17-26ACT range
  • 3.15Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Virginia State University
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W
HBCU
Institute, WV

West Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in West Virginia

  • 3,785enrollment
  • $11,684net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 840-1065SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Neumann University
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N
Aston, PA
 

Neumann University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#53 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,155enrollment
  • $28,707net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 905-1085SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio
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O
San Antonio, TX

Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#27 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $19,100net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 890-1070SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wright State University Main Campus
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W
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 9,678enrollment
  • $15,650net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 913-1168SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Aug 23

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Prescott College
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P
Prescott, AZ
 

Prescott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 969enrollment
  • $25,317net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1095-1290SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Dubuque
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D
Dubuque, IA

University of Dubuque

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,776enrollment
  • $22,879net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 828-1070SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Piedmont International University
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P
Winston Salem, NC
 

Piedmont International University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 691enrollment
  • $15,119net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 770-1230SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.07Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance19%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Francis Marion University
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F
Florence, SC

Francis Marion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,045enrollment
  • $12,614net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 890-1123SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Edward Waters College
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E
HBCU
Jacksonville, FL

Edward Waters College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,181enrollment
  • $13,649net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 820-990SAT range
  • 14-18ACT range
  • 2.64Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gallaudet University
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G
Washington, DC

Gallaudet University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#1 Best Value Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 1,322enrollment
  • $13,787net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 752-1089SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance59%

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University of Hawaii West Oahu
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H
Pearl City, HI

University of Hawaii West Oahu

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 2,913enrollment
  • $9,103net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1180SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Le Moyne Owen College
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L
HBCU
Memphis, TN
 

Le Moyne Owen College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 609enrollment
  • $6,308net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 898-1093SAT range
  • 13-17ACT range
  • 2.5Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Applications Due Apr 1

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Arkansas Tech University
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A
Russellville, AR

Arkansas Tech University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,445enrollment
  • $12,016net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance90%

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Livingstone College
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L
HBCU
Salisbury, NC

Livingstone College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 839enrollment
  • $15,914net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 800-960SAT range
  • 14-21ACT range
  • 2.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance64%

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.