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.

California State University Sacramento
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C
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

  • 31,818enrollment
  • $11,596net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Towson University
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T
Towson, MD

Towson University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 19,793enrollment
  • $14,443net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Apr 1

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Clark Atlanta University
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C
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Clark Atlanta University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 4,000enrollment
  • $30,015net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 880-1120SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Morgan State University
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M
HBCU
Baltimore, MD

Morgan State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 9,101enrollment
  • $13,956net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1060SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Apr 15

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Georgia Southern University
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G
Statesboro, GA

Georgia Southern University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 25,481enrollment
  • $15,352net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 980-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Memphis
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M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Alabama State University
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A
HBCU
Montgomery, AL

Alabama State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $13,176net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 828-1041SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 2.95Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Jul 31

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The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,946enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Mar 1

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North Carolina A & T State University
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N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Sam Houston State University
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S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,393enrollment
  • $12,664net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,948enrollment
  • $29,589net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

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University of North Florida
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N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,406enrollment
  • $11,338net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Louisville
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L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,017enrollment
  • $19,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Nevada Las Vegas
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N
Las Vegas, NV

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Nevada

  • 30,660enrollment
  • $13,159net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Montana State University
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M
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Montana

  • 16,681enrollment
  • $17,250net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

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.