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 Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,666enrollment
  • $8,208net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance62%

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PennWest California
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P
California, PA

PennWest California

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#20 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,509enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT

Applications Due Aug 22

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Cleveland State University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,385enrollment
  • $15,719net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Aug 15

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College of Coastal Georgia
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C
Brunswick, GA

College of Coastal Georgia

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,147enrollment
  • $12,117net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Aug 5

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Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
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L
HBCU
Lincoln University, PA

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 1,824enrollment
  • $15,502net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.06Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due May 1

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Aug 24

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University of New Mexico Main Campus
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N
Albuquerque, NM

University of New Mexico Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in New Mexico

  • 21,953enrollment
  • $10,633net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

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Florida College
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F
Temple Terrace, FL
 

Florida College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 622enrollment
  • $21,360net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 930-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.28Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Life Pacific College
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L
San Dimas, CA

Life Pacific College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 500enrollment
  • $22,395net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1085SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 2.91Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Belmont Abbey College
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B
Belmont, NC

Belmont Abbey College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,501enrollment
  • $23,522net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 950-1140SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Webber International University
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W
Babson Park, FL
 

Webber International University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,133enrollment
  • $27,995net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 853-1060SAT range
  • 14-20ACT range
  • 2.98Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Westfield State University
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W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,702enrollment
  • $18,021net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Mar 1

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Farmingdale State College
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F
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 9,314enrollment
  • $8,111net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1178SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due May 1

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.