North Carolina Colleges for a 18 on the ACT

With a 18 ACT, you are competitive at 47 four-year colleges in North Carolina (22 target, 18 reach, 7 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 970 SAT.

Colleges in North Carolina 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
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	17-23	20	50%	Medium
Wingate University Wingate, NC	18-25	21	91%	Medium
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	17-18	17	87%	Medium
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	15-20	17	78%	Medium
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC	15-19	17	82%	Medium
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC	12-16	14	34%	Medium
Catawba College Salisbury, NC	17-25	21	75%	Medium
University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC	18-23	20	93%	Medium
Belmont Abbey College Belmont, NC	18-26	22	75%	Medium
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC	16-22	19	64%	Medium
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC	13-18	15	45%	Medium
Guilford College Greensboro, NC	18-24	21	80%	Medium

View all 22 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
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	21-26	23	89%	Low
Appalachian State University Boone, NC	21-27	24	90%	Low
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC	21-28	24	80%	Low
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC	19-25	22	82%	Low
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC	19-25	22	87%	Low
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC	22-27	24	89%	Low
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC	20-27	23	62%	Low
University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC	23-29	26	92%	Low
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC	22-29	25	30%	Low
Gardner Webb University Boiling Springs, NC	19-25	22	77%	Low
Meredith College Raleigh, NC	23-29	26	74%	Low
William Peace University Raleigh, NC	22-27	24	94%	Low

View all 18 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
St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC	-	-	100%	High
Carolina Christian College Winston Salem, NC	-	-	100%	High
Carolina College of Biblical Studies Fayetteville, NC	-	-	100%	High
Shepherds Theological Seminary Cary, NC	-	-	100%	High
Heritage Bible College Dunn, NC	-	-	100%	High
Charlotte Christian College and Theological Seminary Charlotte, NC	-	-	100%	High
Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College Wendell, North Carolina	-	-	100%	High

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

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