Colleges for a 18 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 18 ACT score?

18 ACT Score, 38% Percentile

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 18 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 371 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 18 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 18 ACT bad?

You can probably do better than a score of 18. It situates you in the bottom 38th percentile on the national scale, underperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your 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 18 score represents 50% of the total possible points. If a 18 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 18

Let's examine how a 18 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 18 is 2.3 points (11%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 18 is 2.6 points (13%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 18 is 3.7 points (17%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 18 is 1.7 points (10%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 18 is 0.3 points (2%) lower than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 18 is 6.9 points (28%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 18 is 0.8 points (5%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 18 is 1.1 points (7%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 18 is 2.6 points (13%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 18 is 2.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 18 ACT score?

A 18 on the ACT translates to a 970 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 18 ACT score?

Scoring a 18 on the ACT places you in the 38th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 38% 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 760,000 students with only 1,240,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

What are the best colleges can I get into with a 18?

Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.


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371 results nationwide

List of 18 ACT Colleges

Displaying 371 colleges where your 18 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 1,059 target schools (good chance), 1,344 reach (harder) schools and 1,179 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 37,864enrollment
  • $13,750net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Jun 1

San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,899enrollment
  • $14,757net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,513enrollment
  • $3,859net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jan 19

California State University Fullerton
C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,738enrollment
  • $8,322net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance46%

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 32,498enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Nov 30

Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,055enrollment
  • $29,100net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 860-1053SAT range
  • 17-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Apr 1

Morgan State University
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

18 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 8,469enrollment
  • $16,651net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 850-1090SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Apr 15

Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 27,076enrollment
  • $15,463net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due May 1

Alabama State University
A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

17 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,964enrollment
  • $13,282net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 839-1050SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance98%

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

19 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,322enrollment
  • $9,541net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 990-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Jun 1

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,612enrollment
  • $13,904net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1120SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,734enrollment
  • $10,934net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jun 1

Texas Southern University
T
HBCU
Houston, TX

Texas Southern University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

17 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 7,524enrollment
  • $13,481net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 820-1000SAT range
  • 15-19ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jul 15

California State University Chico
C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,702enrollment
  • $16,109net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Dec 15

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 12,687enrollment
  • $15,749net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Jun 1

Kean University
K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,759enrollment
  • $17,401net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1120SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Aug 15

Virginia State University
V
HBCU
Petersburg, VA

Virginia State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,300enrollment
  • $18,332net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 830-1040SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 2.85Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due May 1

Portland State University
P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 22,858enrollment
  • $12,195net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance97%

FAQs

Is a 18 a good ACT score?

You can probably do better than a score of 18. The score puts you in the bottom 38th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 18 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 18 ACT score?

Texas State University, San Francisco State University and California State University Los Angeles are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 18 ACT score.

What percentile is 18 on the ACT?

A 18 ranks in the bottom 38th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 18 ACT?

A 18 converts to a 970 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 970 SAT score.