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.

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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B
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 16,920enrollment
  • $20,485net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Troy University
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T
Troy, AL

Troy University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

#9 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 14,156enrollment
  • $13,187net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Idaho
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I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,507enrollment
  • $14,954net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Cloud State University
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S
Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 10,420enrollment
  • $14,065net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1027-1200SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College at Brockport
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B
Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,424enrollment
  • $16,261net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of La Verne
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La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 25,979enrollment
  • $11,462net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due May 15

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Metropolitan State College of Denver
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M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 16,995enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Delaware State University
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D
HBCU
Dover, DE

Delaware State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Delaware

  • 5,826enrollment
  • $11,886net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 830-1060SAT range
  • 20-24ACT range
  • 3.09Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Applications Due Feb 1

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St. Mary's University
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S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Central Washington University
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C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 9,257enrollment
  • $15,864net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Fisk University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ferris State University
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F
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 10,072enrollment
  • $13,978net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 910-1150SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Toledo
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T
Toledo, OH

University of Toledo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 15,545enrollment
  • $17,654net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northern Kentucky University
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N
Highland Heights, KY

Northern Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 15,801enrollment
  • $7,259net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Aug 15

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University of Wisconsin Whitewater
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W
Whitewater, WI

University of Wisconsin Whitewater

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Wisconsin

  • 11,079enrollment
  • $13,322net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance82%

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.