California Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What California colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These California 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 28 California 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 California 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.

ACT 20 California Public Private 4 year

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List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 28 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 81 target schools (good chance), 36 reach (harder) schools and 141 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

San Jose State University

S

San Jose, CA

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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

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Long Beach

C

Long Beach, CA

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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

Compare Calculate my chances

San Francisco State University

S

San Francisco, CA

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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

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Los Angeles

C

Los Angeles, CA

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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

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Fullerton

C

Fullerton, CA

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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

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Sacramento

C

Sacramento, CA

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California State University Sacramento

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in California

31,818enrollment
$11,596net price
93%acceptance rate
930-1130SAT range
17-23ACT range
3.42Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Chico

C

Chico, CA

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California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

14,183enrollment
$15,517net price
95%acceptance rate
970-1170SAT range
18-24ACT range
3.37Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Fresno

C

Fresno, CA

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California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

23,999enrollment
$7,507net price
95%acceptance rate
890-1100SAT range
16-21ACT range
3.12Estimated Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances

Sonoma State University

S

Rohnert Park, CA

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Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

6,637enrollment
$15,507net price
94%acceptance rate
950-1150SAT range
17-23ACT range
3.4Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University Northridge

C

Northridge, CA

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California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

37,579enrollment
$8,936net price
91%acceptance rate
900-1110SAT range
16-22ACT range
3.38Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of California Merced

C

Merced, CA

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University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

9,103enrollment
$13,549net price
89%acceptance rate
960-1140SAT range
19-24ACT range
3.55Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

California State University San Marcos

C

San Marcos, CA

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California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

15,109enrollment
$10,463net price
95%acceptance rate
950-1130SAT range
17-22ACT range
3.32Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

Humboldt State University

H

Arcata, CA

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Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

6,025enrollment
$14,325net price
98%acceptance rate
970-1190SAT range
17-25ACT range
3.33Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Apr 30

Compare Calculate my chances

California Baptist University

C

Riverside, CA

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California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

11,495enrollment
$27,304net price
80%acceptance rate
960-1150SAT range
18-25ACT range
3.58Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance77%

Compare Calculate my chances

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

C

Pomona, CA

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California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in California

27,503enrollment
$12,480net price
55%acceptance rate
1010-1250SAT range
19-27ACT range
3.69Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances

University of La Verne

L

La Verne, CA

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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

California State University Monterey Bay

C

Seaside, CA

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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

Mount St. Mary's College

M

Los Angeles, CA

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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