Southwestern Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

With a 20 ACT, you are competitive at 116 four-year colleges in the Southwest (56 target, 18 reach, 42 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 1040 SAT.

Colleges in the Southwest for a 20 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 20 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	19-25	22	89%	Medium
University of North Texas Denton, TX	19-27	23	72%	Medium
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	19-27	23	80%	Medium
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	17-24	20	90%	Medium
The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	19-25	22	87%	Medium
Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX	18-24	21	94%	Medium
Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX	19-24	21	90%	Medium
Prairie View A & M University Prairie View, TX	16-21	18	79%	Medium
Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TX	20-26	23	89%	Medium
Texas Woman's University Denton, TX	17-23	20	96%	Medium
Lamar University Beaumont, TX	18-25	21	86%	Medium
University of the Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX	17-24	20	98%	Medium

View all 56 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ	21-28	24	90%	Low
Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX	25-31	28	57%	Low
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	21-29	25	86%	Low
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	23-28	25	73%	Low
University of Houston Houston, TX	23-29	26	74%	Low
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX	24-32	28	65%	Low
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK	23-29	26	77%	Low
University of Dallas Irving, TX	22-29	25	53%	Low
Abilene Christian University Abilene, TX	22-28	25	66%	Low
University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK	25-34	29	62%	Low
Austin College Sherman, TX	23-29	26	48%	Low
Saint Edward's University Austin, TX	22-28	25	81%	Low

View all 18 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 20; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	15-19	17	97%	High
Paul Quinn College Dallas, TX	14-17	15	40%	High
The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX	17-22	19	100%	High
South Texas College McAllen, TX	-	-	100%	High
Arlington Baptist University Arlington, TX	-	-	100%	High
Midland College Midland, TX	-	-	100%	High
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, TX	15-23	19	100%	High
Northeastern State University Tahlequah, OK	18-23	20	100%	High
Texas Southmost College Brownsville, TX	-	-	100%	High
Texas College Tyler, TX	-	-	100%	High
Jarvis Christian University Hawkins, TX	-	-	100%	High
Brazosport College Lake Jackson, TX	-	-	100%	High

View all 42 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 20 ACT in the Southwest

See all colleges nationally for a 20 ACT

20 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 20 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
17	930
18	970
19	1010
20	1040
21	1080
22	1110
23	1140

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026