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 615 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
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome24
University of Redlands22
Elizabethtown College23
Rowan University24
Rider University23
University of Illinois at Springfield23
Rutgers University Newark20
Lebanon Valley College23
George Fox University23
Queens University of Charlotte23
Elmhurst College23
Gordon College24
Seattle Pacific University23
Trinity Christian College23
-1 +1
Schools By US Region
ACT 20 Public Private 4 year

615 results nationwide

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 615 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 1,842 target schools (good chance), 819 reach (harder) schools and 1,164 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

East Carolina University
Connect Me
E
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,798enrollment
  • $15,403net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas State University
Connect Me
T
San Marcos, TX
Texas State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

22 Average ACT

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 37,812enrollment
  • $13,750net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1180SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia State University
Connect Me
G
Atlanta, GA
Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,360enrollment
  • $17,750net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance73%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Jose State University
S
San Jose, CA
San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,208enrollment
  • $15,995net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.55Avg Weighted GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance60%
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

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,069enrollment
  • $10,568net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.68Avg Weighted GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance30%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Francisco State University
Connect Me
S
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,349enrollment
  • $14,757net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Washington State University
W
Pullman, WA
Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 31,159enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX
University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,953enrollment
  • $13,781net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance77%
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

  • 26,745enrollment
  • $3,859net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Fullerton
C
Fullerton, CA
California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 42,051enrollment
  • $8,322net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance68%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Spelman College
S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA
Spelman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT

#3 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,207enrollment
  • $43,920net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance42%
Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Sacramento
Connect Me
C
Sacramento, CA
California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 32,293enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Coastal Carolina University
Connect Me
C
Conway, SC
Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,118enrollment
  • $14,716net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1180SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance62%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Towson University
Connect Me
T
Towson, MD
Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $16,082net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg Weighted GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Old Dominion University
Connect Me
O
Norfolk, VA
Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 24,286enrollment
  • $17,162net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Clark Atlanta University
Connect Me
C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA
Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,776enrollment
  • $29,100net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 880-1040SAT range
  • 17-20ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance74%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Morgan State University
Connect Me
M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD
Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

18 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,634enrollment
  • $16,651net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 910-1070SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Southern University
Connect Me
G
Statesboro, GA
Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT

#5 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 26,949enrollment
  • $15,463net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 993-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.47Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance89%
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.