Colleges for a 21 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 21 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 21 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 692 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 21 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 U.S. colleges

Is a 21 ACT good?

A score of 21 is a little better than average. It situates you in the top 57th percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your slightly above 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 21 score represents 58% of the total possible points. If a 21 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 21

Let's examine how a 21 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 21 is 0.7 points (3%) higher than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 21 is 0.4 points (2%) higher than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 21 is 0.7 points (3%) lower than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 21 is 4.7 points (29%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 21 is 2.7 points (15%) higher than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 21 is 3.9 points (16%) lower than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 21 is 3.8 points (22%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 21 is 4.1 points (24%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 21 is 0.4 points (2%) higher than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 21 is 0.7 points higher than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 21 ACT score?

A 21 on the ACT translates to a 1080 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 21 ACT score?

Scoring a 21 on the ACT places you in the 57th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 57% 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 1,140,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 860,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 21 Public Private 4 year

692 results nationwide

List of 21 ACT Colleges

Displaying 692 colleges where your 21 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 2,034 target schools (good chance), 759 reach (harder) schools and 1,446 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Sam Houston State University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nova Southeastern University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,683enrollment
  • $20,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Florida
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,630enrollment
  • $15,347net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mississippi State University
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M
Mississippi State, MS

Mississippi State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Value Colleges in Mississippi

  • 22,649enrollment
  • $15,364net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Louisville
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Nevada Las Vegas
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N
Las Vegas, NV

University of Nevada Las Vegas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Nevada

  • 30,660enrollment
  • $13,159net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Montana State University
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M
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Montana

  • 16,681enrollment
  • $17,250net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Chico
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C
Chico, CA

California State University Chico

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in California

  • 14,183enrollment
  • $15,517net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Dec 15

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Central Michigan University
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C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,557enrollment
  • $15,605net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of West Georgia
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Kean University
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K
Union, NJ

Kean University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,884enrollment
  • $10,747net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 900-1160SAT range
  • 16-25ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Liberty University
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L
Lynchburg, VA

Liberty University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 96,709enrollment
  • $29,913net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Utah State University
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U
Logan, UT

Utah State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Utah

  • 27,943enrollment
  • $14,577net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1300SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Portland State University
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P
Portland, OR

Portland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 21,609enrollment
  • $16,273net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1250SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hampton University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 21 a good ACT score?

A score of 21 is a little better than average. The score puts you in the top 57th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 21 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 21 ACT score?

Arizona State University, University of Kentucky and East Carolina University are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 21 ACT score.

What percentile is 21 on the ACT?

A 21 ranks in the top 57th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 21 ACT?

A 21 converts to a 1080 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1080 SAT score.