Virginia Colleges for a 20 on the ACT

What Virginia colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

These Virginia 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 13 Virginia 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 Virginia 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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13 results

List of 20 ACT Colleges

Displaying 13 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 36 target schools (good chance), 45 reach (harder) schools and 21 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

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%

Norfolk State University
N
HBCU
Norfolk, VA

Norfolk State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

17 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 5,783enrollment
  • $14,652net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 840-1040SAT range
  • 15-20ACT range
  • 2.9Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 31

Longwood University
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Marymount University
M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Shenandoah University
S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,260enrollment
  • $26,143net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Aug 1

Southern Virginia University
S
Buena Vista, VA

Southern Virginia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $23,274net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 900-1250SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Regent University
R
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $17,341net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.34Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance23%

Applications Due Aug 1

Averett University
A
Danville, VA

Averett University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,363enrollment
  • $23,781net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 850-1170SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Mary Baldwin College
M
Staunton, VA

Mary Baldwin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#18 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,957enrollment
  • $18,746net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1120SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT

Emory and Henry College
E
Emory, VA

Emory and Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,358enrollment
  • $20,834net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance96%

The University of Virginia's College at Wise
V
Wise, VA

The University of Virginia's College at Wise

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,704enrollment
  • $9,923net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 915-1160SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Aug 1

Virginia Intermont College
V
Bristol, Virginia
 

Virginia Intermont College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 549enrollment
  • $24,154net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 870-1100SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
  • 3.1Estimated Avg GPA
Your 20 ACT
Admission Chance98%