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.

California State University Chico
Connect Me
C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of West Georgia
Connect Me
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Kean University
Connect Me
K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,884enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Utah State University
Connect Me
U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 27,943enrollment
  • $14,577net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Portland State University
Connect Me
P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 21,609enrollment
  • $16,273net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hampton University
Connect Me
H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Fresno
Connect Me
C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Northern Colorado
Connect Me
N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,380enrollment
  • $18,310net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Radford University
Connect Me
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wingate University
Connect Me
W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sonoma State University
Connect Me
S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Culinary Institute of America
Connect Me
C
Hyde Park, NY

Culinary Institute of America

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,124enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Michigan University
Connect Me
W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stephen F Austin State University
Connect Me
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Illinois University
Connect Me
N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jacksonville University
Connect Me
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance42%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Valdosta State University
Connect Me
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jun 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Northridge
Connect Me
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

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.