Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

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 614 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.

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ACT 20 Public Private 4 year

614 results nationwide

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 614 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 1,788 target schools (good chance), 936 reach (harder) schools and 1,407 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Reinhardt University
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R
Waleska, GA

Reinhardt University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,141enrollment
  • $26,845net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY Morrisville
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S
Morrisville, NY
 

SUNY Morrisville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,803enrollment
  • $16,070net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 2.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carthage College
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C
Kenosha, WI

Carthage College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 2,667enrollment
  • $26,209net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Elmhurst College
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E
Elmhurst, IL

Elmhurst College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 3,731enrollment
  • $24,108net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
St. Thomas University
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S
Miami Gardens, FL
 

St. Thomas University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 6,370enrollment
  • $28,654net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 860-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marshall University
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M
Huntington, WV

Marshall University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in West Virginia

  • 10,691enrollment
  • $8,756net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Aug 10

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gainesville State College
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G
Oakwood, Georgia
 

Gainesville State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 8,568enrollment
  • -net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Minnesota State University Mankato
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M
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University Mankato

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 14,590enrollment
  • $16,809net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Guilford College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Guilford College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,167enrollment
  • $23,882net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 910-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.14Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance81%

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Greensboro College
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G
Greensboro, NC

Greensboro College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 826enrollment
  • $19,581net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 900-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Illinois University
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W
Macomb, IL

Western Illinois University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 7,643enrollment
  • $11,213net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Tennessee State University
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E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College at Oswego
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O
Oswego, NY

SUNY College at Oswego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,906enrollment
  • $17,376net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 19-29ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Jan 15

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University of Central Oklahoma
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C
Edmond, OK

University of Central Oklahoma

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#3 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 12,250enrollment
  • $18,055net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Vanguard University of Southern California
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V
Costa Mesa, CA
 

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,256enrollment
  • $24,279net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne
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I
Fort Wayne, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 9,069enrollment
  • $11,951net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 980-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Maryland Institute College of Art
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M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $43,545net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 967-1362SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Connecticut Stamford
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C
Stamford, CT

University of Connecticut Stamford

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 2,297enrollment
  • $13,933net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 990-1240SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

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, 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.