Colleges for a 18 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 18 ACT score?

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 399 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.

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ACT 18 Public Private 4 year

399 results nationwide

List of 18 ACT Colleges

Displaying 399 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 1,125 target schools (good chance), 1,380 reach (harder) schools and 1,347 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance21%

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance83%

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Brewton Parker College
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B
Mount Vernon, GA
 

Brewton Parker College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 911enrollment
  • $21,874net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 880-1010SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Aug 1

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marywood University
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M
Scranton, PA

Marywood University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#44 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,729enrollment
  • $22,504net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 18 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nyack College
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N
Nyack, NY

Nyack College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#59 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,595enrollment
  • $22,184net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 848-1093SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 2.76Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT

Applications Due Aug 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 18 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
McKendree University
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M
Lebanon, IL

McKendree University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 1,960enrollment
  • $22,431net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 871-1277SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 18 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne
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S
Fort Wayne, IN
 

University of Saint Francis Fort Wayne

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,903enrollment
  • $18,162net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 18 ACT
Admission Chance41%

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance55%

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 18 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Jul 1

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North Greenville University
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N
Tigerville, SC

North Greenville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 2,125enrollment
  • $11,705net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Aug 22

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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Feb 28

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Emory and Henry College
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E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,358enrollment
  • $20,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances 

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?

University of Hawaii at Manoa, 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.