Midwestern Colleges for a 18 on the ACT

With a 18 ACT, you are competitive at 316 four-year colleges in the Midwest (92 target, 142 reach, 82 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 970 SAT.

Colleges in the Midwest for a 18 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 18 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Southern Illinois University Carbondale Carbondale, IL	18-25	21	87%	Medium
Kent State University at Kent Kent, OH	18-25	21	86%	Medium
Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI	18-27	22	80%	Medium
Central State University Wilberforce, OH	14-18	16	99%	Medium
Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN	17-25	21	95%	Medium
Chicago State University Chicago, IL	15-19	17	43%	Medium
Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL	15-21	18	75%	Medium
Cleveland State University Cleveland, OH	18-25	21	91%	Medium
University of Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN	18-25	21	66%	Medium
University of Akron Main Campus Akron, OH	17-25	21	60%	Medium
Western Illinois University Macomb, IL	18-24	21	71%	Medium
Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN	17-24	20	82%	Medium

View all 92 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Iowa State University Ames, IA	21-28	24	89%	Low
Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI	22-30	26	83%	Low
Ball State University Muncie, IN	20-24	22	85%	Low
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA	21-28	24	84%	Low
Illinois State University Normal, IL	21-27	24	88%	Low
Wayne State University Detroit, MI	23-29	26	81%	Low
Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MI	21-27	24	90%	Low
Xavier University Cincinnati, OH	22-29	25	86%	Low
Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI	20-27	23	85%	Low
Northern Illinois University Dekalb, IL	19-25	22	70%	Low
Ohio University Main Campus Athens, OH	22-28	25	85%	Low
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Milwaukee, WI	19-24	21	91%	Low

View all 142 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 18; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Vincennes University Vincennes, IN	-	-	100%	High
Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MI	19-26	22	100%	High
Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO	-	-	100%	High
Harris Stowe State University Saint Louis, MO	-	-	100%	High
Columbia College Columbia, MO	-	-	100%	High
Calumet College of Saint Joseph Whiting, IN	-	-	100%	High
University of Northwestern Ohio Lima, OH	-	-	100%	High
Loras College Dubuque, IA	-	-	100%	High
Franklin University Columbus, OH	-	-	100%	High
Wright State University Lake Campus Celina, OH	18-24	21	100%	High
Madison Area Technical College Madison, WI	-	-	100%	High
Missouri Western State University Saint Joseph, MO	-	-	100%	High

View all 82 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 18 ACT in the Midwest

See all colleges nationally for a 18 ACT

18 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 18 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
15	850
16	890
17	930
18	970
19	1010
20	1040
21	1080

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026