Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

20 ACT Score, 51% Percentile

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 20 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 596 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 20 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 20 ACT good?

A score of 20 is about average. It situates you in the top 51st percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your about 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 20 score represents 56% of the total possible points. If a 20 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 20

Let's examine how a 20 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 20 is 0.3 points (1%) lower than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 20 is 0.6 points (3%) lower than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 20 is 1.7 points (8%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 20 is 3.7 points (23%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 20 is 1.7 points (9%) higher than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 20 is 4.9 points (20%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 20 is 2.8 points (16%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 20 is 3.1 points (18%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 20 is 0.6 points (3%) lower than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 20 is 0.3 points lower than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 20 ACT score?

A 20 on the ACT translates to a 1040 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 20 ACT score?

Scoring a 20 on the ACT places you in the 51st percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 51% 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 1,020,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 980,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

What are the best colleges can I get into with a 20?

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.


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596 results nationwide

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 596 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 1,746 target schools (good chance), 900 reach (harder) schools and 1,248 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

East Carolina University
E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,021enrollment
  • $15,403net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Apr 15

University of Hawaii at Manoa
H
Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Hawaii

  • 19,098enrollment
  • $15,193net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Feb 1

Texas State University
T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

21 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 37,864enrollment
  • $13,750net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 990-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due May 1

Georgia State University
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,973enrollment
  • $17,750net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT

Applications Due Mar 1

San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,133enrollment
  • $15,995net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Feb 10

California State University Long Beach
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,190enrollment
  • $10,568net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Nov 30

Florida Atlantic University
F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 30,155enrollment
  • $11,451net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Apr 1

San Francisco State University
S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,899enrollment
  • $14,757net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due May 1

Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 29,843enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 31

Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 29,843enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 31

Florida Gulf Coast University
F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 15,909enrollment
  • $10,151net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due May 1

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 42,441enrollment
  • $13,781net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Mar 15

California State University Los Angeles
C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,513enrollment
  • $3,859net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Ball State University
B
Muncie, IN

Ball State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

23 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 20,319enrollment
  • $13,195net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due May 15

California State University Fullerton
C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,738enrollment
  • $8,322net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Nov 30

Spelman College
S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,417enrollment
  • $43,920net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Applications Due Dec 31

California State University Sacramento
C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 32,498enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Coastal Carolina University
C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Composite

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,473enrollment
  • $14,716net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jun 1

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, University of Hawaii at Manoa and Texas 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.