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.

Bethel University
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B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,686enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 928-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Compare Calculate my chances 
John Paul the Great Catholic University
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J
San Diego, CA

John Paul the Great Catholic University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 300enrollment
  • $31,354net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1125SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus
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I
Indiana, PA

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,816enrollment
  • $20,205net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Centenary University
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C
Hackettstown, NJ

Centenary University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 1,498enrollment
  • $21,935net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.23Estimated Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southeast Missouri State University
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S
Cape Girardeau, MO

Southeast Missouri State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 9,927enrollment
  • $14,519net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 970-1180SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Northwood University Michigan
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N
Midland, MI

Northwood University Michigan

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 2,246enrollment
  • $24,616net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Wesleyan College
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N
Rocky Mount, NC
 

North Carolina Wesleyan College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,337enrollment
  • $18,701net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 860-1120SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Muskingum University
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M
New Concord, OH
 

Muskingum University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,117enrollment
  • $19,682net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College of Technology at Canton
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O
Canton, NY

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,836enrollment
  • $14,049net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance91%

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Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
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M
Mansfield, PA

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#23 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,796enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eureka College
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E
Eureka, IL

Eureka College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 559enrollment
  • $19,443net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1155SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.22Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Avila University
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A
Kansas City, MO
 

Avila University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in Missouri

  • 1,306enrollment
  • $17,210net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 933-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
New Mexico State University Main Campus
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N
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 14,268enrollment
  • $10,407net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emmanuel College
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E
Franklin Springs, GA
 

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 850enrollment
  • $19,921net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 980-1160SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance50%

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University of Wisconsin Parkside
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W
Kenosha, WI

University of Wisconsin Parkside

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 3,947enrollment
  • $8,510net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi Valley State University
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M
HBCU
Itta Bena, MS

Mississippi Valley State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 1,879enrollment
  • $11,598net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 13-22ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Salem College
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S
Winston Salem, NC

Salem College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 469enrollment
  • $18,354net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1053-1200SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance78%

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Henderson State University
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H
Arkadelphia, AR

Henderson State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 2,519enrollment
  • $17,656net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 903-1073SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Jul 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.