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.

Tarleton State University
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T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bridgewater State University
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B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,604enrollment
  • $17,225net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
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N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Middle Tennessee State University
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M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,107enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Apr 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,676enrollment
  • $16,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Sep 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Gwinnett College
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G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due May 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Apr 15

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Concordia University Ann Arbor
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C
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,203enrollment
  • $26,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dallas Baptist University
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D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Brigham Young University Idaho
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B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 43,023enrollment
  • $7,899net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jacksonville State University
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J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Columbus State University
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C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,479enrollment
  • $12,902net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jun 30

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Norfolk State University
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N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 31

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.