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 1,440 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

California State University Fresno
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C
Fresno, CA

California State University Fresno

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in California

  • 23,999enrollment
  • $7,507net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 890-1100SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.12Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Dec 15

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Azusa Pacific University
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A
Azusa, CA
 

Azusa Pacific University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 7,169enrollment
  • $26,666net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jun 1

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University of Northern Colorado
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N
Greeley, CO

University of Northern Colorado

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 9,380enrollment
  • $18,310net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Aug 1

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The University of West Florida
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W
Pensacola, FL

The University of West Florida

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

 

#7 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 13,521enrollment
  • $8,609net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Radford University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Wingate University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance86%

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Sonoma State University
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S
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,637enrollment
  • $15,507net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Culinary Institute of America
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C
Hyde Park, NY

Culinary Institute of America

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,124enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas
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A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 30,936enrollment
  • $16,208net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Western Michigan University
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W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

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Stephen F Austin State University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Illinois University
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N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Jacksonville University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance47%

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University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,431enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Valdosta State University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jun 15

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Jul 15

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California State University Northridge
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C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Tarleton State University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 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.