Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What colleges can I apply to with an ACT score of 20?

With a 20 on the ACT, these colleges are a good match for your score

Looking at the most recent published freshman class ACT scores for all U.S. colleges, we've found 689 schools where submitting a 20 with your college application places you around the middle ACT score range of admitted students' average ACT scores. They represent the most popular schools where you will be a competitive applicant and those which have historically accepted a 20 ACT score. You can view your reach schools and safety schools by using the admission chance filter. Keep in mind, an ACT score alone won't get you admitted. It's equally important to have the GPA that the college is expecting for incoming students.

Is a 20 a good ACT score?

A score of 20 is about average. It places you in the top 51st percentile nationally out of the 2 million test takers of the ACT entrance exam. The score indicates you've done an about average job answering the questions on the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the test. If a 20 isn't strong enough to get into your dream school, consider taking a test prep course to see if you can raise your score.

What is the SAT equivalent to a 20 ACT score?

For comparison purposes, a 20 on the ACT converts to a 1040 on the SAT based on the College Board / ACT concordance. Not all colleges report both SAT and ACT score admission data so you should check our comparable listings for both standardized tests to find academically similar schools.

What colleges can I get into?

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.

Best ranked colleges for a 20 ACT score
CollegeAverage ACT
University of Illinois at Springfield23
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome24
Linfield College McMinnville Campus22
The College of Saint Scholastica23
Rutgers University Newark21
Saint Joseph's College New York22
Roberts Wesleyan College23
Citadel Military College of South Carolina22
St Catherine University22
Hamline University23
Rowan University23
Washington State University23
Augsburg College21
Saint Ambrose University23
Elmhurst College23
ACT 20 Public Private 4 year

689 results found

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 689 colleges where your 20 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 1,376 target schools (good chance), 704 reach (harder) schools and 684 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,718enrollment
  • $13,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX
Texas State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

23 Average ACT

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,644enrollment
  • $13,579net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1180SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.38*Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance33%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA
San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,400enrollment
  • $13,906net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance47%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Long Beach
C
Long Beach, CA
California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,466enrollment
  • $9,654net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance21%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 29,778enrollment
  • $13,551net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 950-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Washington State University
Yes, connect me!
W
Pullman, WA
Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 31,478enrollment
  • $17,885net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance66%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA
California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 28,036enrollment
  • $3,907net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 890-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance58%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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California State University Fullerton
C
Fullerton, CA
California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,280enrollment
  • $8,562net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance38%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA
California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,902enrollment
  • $9,841net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance68%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC
Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,641enrollment
  • $16,224net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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Towson University
T
Towson, MD
Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 22,923enrollment
  • $15,250net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 24,176enrollment
  • $15,213net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Clark Atlanta University
C
Atlanta, GA
Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,911enrollment
  • $26,809net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 950-1110SAT range
  • 18-21ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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Morgan State University
M
Baltimore, MD
Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT

#8 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,712enrollment
  • $15,508net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 920-1080SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.65Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance77%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN
University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,458enrollment
  • $13,663net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 970-1210SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Alabama State University
A
Montgomery, AL
Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 4,413enrollment
  • $12,327net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 860-1030SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.89Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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The University of Texas at Arlington
T
Arlington, TX
The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 47,899enrollment
  • $12,533net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.43*Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC
Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

22 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,639enrollment
  • $14,456net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance30%
Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 20 a good ACT score?

A score of 20 is about average. The score puts you in the top 51st percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 20 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 20 ACT score?

East Carolina University, Texas State University and San Jose State University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 20 ACT score.

What percentile is 20 on the ACT?

A 20 ranks in the top 51st percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 20 ACT?

A 20 converts to a 1040 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1040 SAT score.