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.

Wichita State University
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W
Wichita, KS

Wichita State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Kansas

  • 16,216enrollment
  • $13,553net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 953-1260SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Austin Peay State University
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A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,326enrollment
  • $16,140net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 983-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Aug 4

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Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
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S
Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#11 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 8,221enrollment
  • $17,873net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

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Gardner Webb University
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G
Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner Webb University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,144enrollment
  • $22,339net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M University Corpus Christi
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T
Corpus Christi, TX

Texas A & M University Corpus Christi

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,778enrollment
  • $15,181net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 982-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Regis University
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R
Denver, CO

Regis University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Colorado

  • 4,668enrollment
  • $26,377net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Elizabeth City State University
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E
HBCU
Elizabeth City, NC

Elizabeth City State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,149enrollment
  • $4,120net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 850-1070SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jun 30

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University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
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Oshkosh, WI

University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 13,705enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

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

California State University San Bernardino

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Public Universities in California

  • 19,803enrollment
  • $8,805net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 910-1080SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Aurora University
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A
Aurora, IL

Aurora University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,918enrollment
  • $19,350net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 980-1198SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance75%

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Lander University
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Greenwood, SC

Lander University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,167enrollment
  • $15,524net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 950-1190SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

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University of Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

University of Indianapolis

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,018enrollment
  • $22,283net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 960-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

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University of Akron Main Campus
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A
Akron, OH

University of Akron Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 13,465enrollment
  • $14,667net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Oregon University
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S
Ashland, OR

Southern Oregon University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 5,204enrollment
  • $17,976net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1230SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

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

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 12,519enrollment
  • $13,586net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 930-1160SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due May 1

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University of Washington Tacoma Campus
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W
Tacoma, WA

University of Washington Tacoma Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 4,794enrollment
  • $10,680net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 960-1180SAT range
  • 16-24ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Jun 30

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Texas A & M University Commerce
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T
Commerce, TX

Texas A & M University Commerce

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,306enrollment
  • $13,025net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 913-1150SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Frostburg State University
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Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 4,067enrollment
  • $16,114net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1200SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Feb 15

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.