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.

University of California Merced
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C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Abilene Christian University
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A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Bridgewater State University
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B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,604enrollment
  • $17,225net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Prairie View A & M University
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P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina Central University
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N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Kansas
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K
Lawrence, KS

University of Kansas

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Kansas

  • 26,708enrollment
  • $18,950net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1340SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Middle Tennessee State University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
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J
New York, NY

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 13,921enrollment
  • $5,001net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1160SAT range
  • 21-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance35%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University San Marcos
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C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Nov 30

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University of Colorado Denver
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C
Denver, CO

University of Colorado Denver

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 23,744enrollment
  • $16,079net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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S
Carbondale, IL

Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 11,107enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Humboldt State University
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H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Apr 30

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University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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W
Milwaukee, WI

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 22,676enrollment
  • $16,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.16Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Sep 1

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Georgia Gwinnett College
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G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 3

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North Georgia College & State University
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N
Dahlonega, Georgia

North Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 6,062enrollment
  • -net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance43%

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Tuskegee University
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T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Apr 15

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Georgia College & State University
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G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,315enrollment
  • $20,301net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Apr 1

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance56%

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.