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 138 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Life Pacific College

L

San Dimas, CA

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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

California State University San Bernardino

C

San Bernardino, CA

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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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Vanguard University of Southern California

V

Costa Mesa, CA

Vanguard University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#30 Best Private Colleges in California

2,256enrollment
$24,279net price
75%acceptance rate
980-1200SAT range
19-25ACT range
3.31Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Fresno Pacific University

F

Fresno, CA

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Fresno Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Private Colleges in California

3,032enrollment
$15,255net price
75%acceptance rate
970-1240SAT range
17-24ACT range
3.54Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Aug 1

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La Sierra University

L

Riverside, CA

La Sierra University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#29 Best Private Colleges in California

1,614enrollment
$25,076net price
92%acceptance rate
880-1140SAT range
18-28ACT range
3.54Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance89%

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San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

S

Calexico, California

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San Diego State University Imperial Valley Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

808enrollment
-net price
44%acceptance rate
850-1060SAT range
16-21ACT range
NAAvg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance57%

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Otis College of Art and Design

O

Los Angeles, CA

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Otis College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in California

1,312enrollment
$48,198net price
83%acceptance rate
1130-1360SAT range
20-29ACT range
3.31Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance73%

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John Paul the Great Catholic University

J

San Diego, CA

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John Paul the Great Catholic University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

300enrollment
$31,354net price
80%acceptance rate
1060-1125SAT range
16-22ACT range
3.56Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance83%

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Pacific Union College

P

Angwin, CA

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Pacific Union College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

870enrollment
$21,841net price
48%acceptance rate
990-1200SAT range
18-23ACT range
3.24Estimated Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Admission Chance48%

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San Diego Christian College

S

El Cajon, CA

San Diego Christian College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

355enrollment
$33,393net price
100%acceptance rate
900-1098SAT range
18-24ACT range
3.26Avg GPA

Your 20 ACT

Compare Calculate my chances