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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1
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.

The University of Texas at El Paso
Connect Me
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 23,880enrollment
  • $9,563net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Colorado State University Pueblo
Connect Me
C
Pueblo, CO

Colorado State University Pueblo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 6,617enrollment
  • $13,033net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 900-1150SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwestern College
Connect Me
N
Orange City, IA

Northwestern College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Iowa

  • 1,651enrollment
  • $25,198net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Shenandoah University
Connect Me
S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,260enrollment
  • $26,143net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Purdue University Calumet Campus
Connect Me
P
Hammond, IN
 

Purdue University Calumet Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 9,194enrollment
  • $10,908net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 940-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance54%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Southern Mississippi
Connect Me
S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,526enrollment
  • $14,427net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fresno Pacific University
Connect Me
F
Fresno, CA

Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,032enrollment
  • $15,255net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 970-1240SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Barton College
Connect Me
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,265enrollment
  • $23,443net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
La Sierra University
Connect Me
L
Riverside, CA
 

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,614enrollment
  • $25,076net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 880-1140SAT range
  • 18-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Augsburg College
Connect Me
A
Minneapolis, MN

Augsburg College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 3,088enrollment
  • $25,409net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1188-1376SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.27Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Lutheran University
Connect Me
T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,369enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
E
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 5,143enrollment
  • $17,278net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pacific University
Connect Me
P
Forest Grove, OR

Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,559enrollment
  • $33,472net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1350SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 25

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M International University
Connect Me
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A & M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Northern Iowa
Connect Me
N
Cedar Falls, IA

University of Northern Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 8,945enrollment
  • $15,782net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1330SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Adrian College
Connect Me
A
Adrian, MI

Adrian College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,821enrollment
  • $24,870net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Kentucky University
Connect Me
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,493enrollment
  • $12,625net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Charleston Southern University
Connect Me
C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,418enrollment
  • $17,536net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

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.