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.

Midwestern State University
Connect Me
M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Alcorn State University
Connect Me
A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $14,864net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 903-1115SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance33%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Longwood University
Connect Me
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Southeastern University
Connect Me
S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,044enrollment
  • $27,910net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Clayton State University
Connect Me
C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,847enrollment
  • $9,792net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 890-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Jul 17

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Hilo
Connect Me
H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,977enrollment
  • $13,867net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Huston Tillotson University
Connect Me
H
HBCU
Austin, TX

Huston Tillotson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,025enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 840-1000SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.92Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Seattle Pacific University
Connect Me
S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 3,118enrollment
  • $26,549net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1350SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jul 11

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Nevada Reno
Connect Me
N
Reno, NV

University of Nevada Reno

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Nevada

  • 20,945enrollment
  • $16,670net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Apr 7

Compare Calculate my chances 
Eastern Washington University
Connect Me
E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,910enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Sep 10

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Montana
Connect Me
M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 9,955enrollment
  • $16,361net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Aug 18

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount St Mary's University
Connect Me
M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Central Connecticut State University
Connect Me
C
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 9,468enrollment
  • $17,088net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Aug 26

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Connect Me
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Missouri State University Springfield
Connect Me
M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 22,535enrollment
  • $17,677net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 973-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Harding University
Connect Me
H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance30%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern Illinois University
Connect Me
N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Edward's University
Connect Me
S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,470enrollment
  • $27,193net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance77%

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.