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.

SUNY College at Brockport
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B
Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,424enrollment
  • $16,261net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of La Verne
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L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 16,995enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Delaware State University
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D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,826enrollment
  • $11,886net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 830-1060SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance39%

Applications Due Feb 1

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 9,257enrollment
  • $15,864net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fisk University
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F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $20,578net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1450SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 10,072enrollment
  • $13,978net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 910-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Wisconsin Whitewater
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W
Whitewater, WI

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 11,079enrollment
  • $13,322net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%

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Colorado Mesa University
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C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 8,905enrollment
  • $15,085net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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University of Houston Downtown
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston Downtown

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,208enrollment
  • $14,911net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1100SAT range
  • 16-20ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,215enrollment
  • $11,583net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due May 1

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 3,419enrollment
  • $18,080net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Augusta State University
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A
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 6,685enrollment
  • -net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance55%

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Kentucky State University
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K
HBCU
Frankfort, KY

Kentucky State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 1,726enrollment
  • $11,473net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 783-978SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.72Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,599enrollment
  • $12,838net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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.