Southern Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These Southern 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 276 Southern 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 Southern 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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276 results

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 276 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 819 target schools (good chance), 318 reach (harder) schools and 531 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Western Carolina University
W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina A & T State University
N
HBCU
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A & T State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 13,487enrollment
  • $9,189net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due Jun 1

Sam Houston State University
S
Huntsville, TX

Sam Houston State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 21,480enrollment
  • $13,632net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.25Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Texas at San Antonio
T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,393enrollment
  • $12,664net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jun 1

Nova Southeastern University
N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,948enrollment
  • $29,589net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

University of North Florida
N
Jacksonville, FL

University of North Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 16,406enrollment
  • $11,338net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1210SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.89Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

University of Louisville
L
Louisville, KY

University of Louisville

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 22,017enrollment
  • $19,327net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Feb 15

University of West Georgia
W
Carrollton, GA
 

University of West Georgia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 11,893enrollment
  • $15,625net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 930-1140SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Jun 1

Hampton University
H
HBCU
Hampton, VA

Hampton University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,286enrollment
  • $32,421net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 840-1220SAT range
  • 17-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Mar 1

Radford University
R
Radford, VA

Radford University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 7,718enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Wingate University
W
Wingate, NC

Wingate University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 3,396enrollment
  • $18,823net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Jacksonville University
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance42%

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jun 15

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 1

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Aug 15