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.

East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Manoa
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H
Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Hawaii

  • 19,074enrollment
  • $13,639net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

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Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Apr 1

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Howard University
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H
HBCU
Washington, DC

Howard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 12,886enrollment
  • $28,279net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 1

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jan 31

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 16,414enrollment
  • $45,976net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance71%

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Florida Gulf Coast University
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F
Fort Myers, FL

Florida Gulf Coast University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 15,969enrollment
  • $10,834net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Nov 1

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University of North Texas
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N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 44,767enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Aug 1

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West Virginia University
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W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,741enrollment
  • $12,202net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

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California State University Los Angeles
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C
Los Angeles, CA

California State University Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,460enrollment
  • $5,801net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 870-1060SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jan 19

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University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 29,551enrollment
  • $13,951net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jun 1

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Spelman College
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S
HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $37,085net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Feb 1

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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.