Southern Colleges for a 17 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 17 ACT score?

These Southern 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 145 Southern 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 Southern 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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145 results

List of 17 ACT Colleges

Displaying 145 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 408 target schools (good chance), 627 reach (harder) schools and 474 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,000enrollment
  • $30,015net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance48%

Applications Due Apr 1

Morgan State University
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Apr 15

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jul 1

Alabama State University
A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jul 31

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Jun 1

Texas Southern University
T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,632enrollment
  • $11,826net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Jul 15

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Jun 1

Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

15 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,648enrollment
  • $15,773net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 830-1030SAT range
  • 14-17ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 1

Hampton University
H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Mar 1

Savannah State University
S
HBCU
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

 

#13 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 2,945enrollment
  • $9,452net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 845-980SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Applications Due Jul 15

Albany State University
A
HBCU
Albany, GA

Albany State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,334enrollment
  • $14,672net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 740-900SAT range
  • 15-18ACT range
  • 2.77Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jun 15

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 1

Winston Salem State University
W
HBCU
Winston-Salem, NC

Winston Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

16 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 5,004enrollment
  • $14,097net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 830-1050SAT range
  • 14-19ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Feb 15

Georgia Gwinnett College
G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due May 3

Alabama A & M University
A
HBCU
Normal, AL

Alabama A & M University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 6,007enrollment
  • $14,600net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 830-1033SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.02Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 17 ACT
Admission Chance71%