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.

Columbia International University
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C
Columbia, SC
 

Columbia International University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,481enrollment
  • $19,911net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 990-1195SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Trinity College of Florida
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T
Trinity, FL
 

Trinity College of Florida

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 181enrollment
  • $14,645net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 780-1150SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.04Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Applications Due Jul 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern University at New Orleans
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S
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Southern University at New Orleans

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,950enrollment
  • $14,999net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.4Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carroll College
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C
Helena, MT

Carroll College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Montana

  • 1,168enrollment
  • $23,916net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1200SAT range
  • 13-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Feb 28

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of West Alabama
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W
Livingston, AL
 

University of West Alabama

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#10 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 5,860enrollment
  • $13,786net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 880-980SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.16Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Aug 10

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of New Orleans
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N
New Orleans, LA

University of New Orleans

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Louisiana

  • 7,111enrollment
  • $11,508net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern State University
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N
Tahlequah, OK

Northeastern State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 6,702enrollment
  • $9,669net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 875-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin
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T
Odessa, TX

The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,848enrollment
  • $10,370net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 910-1090SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 23

Compare Calculate my chances 
Delta State University
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D
Cleveland, MS

Delta State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#3 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,556enrollment
  • $14,138net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 940-1280SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Warner University
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W
Lake Wales, FL
 

Warner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 849enrollment
  • $20,431net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 860-1070SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wayland Baptist University
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W
Plainview, TX

Wayland Baptist University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,978enrollment
  • $22,663net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 900-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Husson University
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H
Bangor, Maine
 

Husson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 3,103enrollment
  • $19,068net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.06Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Shorter University
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S
Rome, GA

Shorter University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,515enrollment
  • $13,490net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1290SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 25

Compare Calculate my chances 
Grand View University
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G
Des Moines, IA
 

Grand View University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,827enrollment
  • $20,236net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 15

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East Central University
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E
Ada, OK

East Central University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 3,376enrollment
  • $10,221net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1078SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern Connecticut State University
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E
Willimantic, CT

Eastern Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 4,082enrollment
  • $18,628net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 16-28ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount Olive College
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M
Mount Olive, NC
 

Mount Olive College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 2,239enrollment
  • $17,878net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 990-1150SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance70%

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Arizona Christian University
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A
Phoenix, AZ
 

Arizona Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Arizona

  • 1,082enrollment
  • $28,755net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance62%

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.