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.

Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,884enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 21,609enrollment
  • $16,273net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hampton University
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Mar 1

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California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Savannah State University
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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 18 ACT

Applications Due Jul 15

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Wingate University
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W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Albany State University
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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 18 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stephen F Austin State University
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S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Valdosta State University
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jun 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Prairie View A & M University
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Winston Salem State University
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 18 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Apr 30

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Georgia Gwinnett College
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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 18 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due May 3

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.