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 696 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
Linfield College McMinnville Campus23
Azusa Pacific University23
Hampden Sydney College23
Westminster College24
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome24
Mills College24
Eastern Mennonite University22
Indiana Wesleyan University23
Ramapo College of New Jersey23
Citadel Military College of South Carolina22
Springfield College23
Rider University22
Roberts Wesleyan College22
Rutgers University Newark22
University of Illinois at Springfield22
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Schools By US Region
ACT 20 Public Private 4 year

696 results nationwide

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 696 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 2,064 target schools (good chance), 939 reach (harder) schools and 1,083 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
  • $13,635net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1190SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX
Texas State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

22 Average ACT

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,644enrollment
  • $13,178net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.38*Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia State University
Yes, connect me!
G
Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 34,316enrollment
  • $14,136net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA
San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,400enrollment
  • $14,471net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1260SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance58%
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
  • $9,903net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance27%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 29,778enrollment
  • $15,166net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%
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
  • $18,002net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%
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
  • $3,255net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 890-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.18Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance64%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Boise State University
Yes, connect me!
B
Boise, ID
Boise State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Idaho

  • 25,504enrollment
  • $13,237net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance66%
Compare Calculate my chances 
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
  • $8,294net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1200SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance48%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA
California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,902enrollment
  • $10,271net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC
Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,641enrollment
  • $15,111net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance64%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Towson University
T
Towson, MD
Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 22,923enrollment
  • $16,161net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1220SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 24,176enrollment
  • $16,681net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Clark Atlanta University
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA
Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT

#15 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,911enrollment
  • $27,931net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 940-1080SAT range
  • 17-20ACT range
  • 3.05Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Morgan State University
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD
Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,712enrollment
  • $15,998net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 570-840SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.65Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Southern University
G
Statesboro, GA
Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,408enrollment
  • $15,374net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance43%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN
University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,458enrollment
  • $13,481net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance81%
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 Georgia 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.