Tennessee Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What Tennessee colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These Tennessee 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 24 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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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24 results

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 24 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 72 target schools (good chance), 21 reach (harder) schools and 42 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Memphis
M
Memphis, TN

University of Memphis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 21,917enrollment
  • $13,873net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 930-1230SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Jul 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

Fisk University
F
HBCU
Nashville, TN

Fisk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,055enrollment
  • $20,578net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1450SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 1

Austin Peay State University
A
Clarksville, TN

Austin Peay State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 9,326enrollment
  • $16,140net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 983-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Aug 4

East Tennessee State University
E
Johnson City, TN

East Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 13,483enrollment
  • $14,350net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Lee University
L
Cleveland, TN

Lee University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,927enrollment
  • $19,726net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Maryville College
M
Maryville, TN

Maryville College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,069enrollment
  • $21,583net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 930-1120SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Carson Newman College
C
Jefferson City, TN
 

Carson Newman College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,586enrollment
  • $20,111net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1143SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Johnson University
J
Knoxville, TN
 

Johnson University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 939enrollment
  • $21,012net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1175SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Aug 1

Bethel University
B
McKenzie, TN
 

Bethel University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,686enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 928-1130SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance91%

The University of Tennessee Martin
T
Martin, TN
 

The University of Tennessee Martin

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 6,868enrollment
  • $12,619net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Trevecca Nazarene University
T
Nashville, TN

Trevecca Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 3,327enrollment
  • $16,080net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Aug 1

Tusculum College
T
Greeneville, TN

Tusculum College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,303enrollment
  • $20,414net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.18Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences
B
Memphis, TN
 

Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 797enrollment
  • $9,549net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 990-1090SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Jun 1

Christian Brothers University
C
Memphis, TN
 

Christian Brothers University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 1,934enrollment
  • $18,612net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1280SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Lincoln Memorial University
L
Harrogate, TN

Lincoln Memorial University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,418enrollment
  • $19,162net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 982-1190SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Freed Hardeman University
F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $18,556net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance88%