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.

Colorado Mesa University
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C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 8,905enrollment
  • $15,085net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance82%

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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
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F
HBCU
Tallahassee, FL

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#10 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 9,215enrollment
  • $11,583net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1150SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due May 1

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 3,419enrollment
  • $18,080net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Augusta State University
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A
Augusta, Georgia

Augusta State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 6,685enrollment
  • -net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance63%

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University of North Carolina at Asheville
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N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,914enrollment
  • $14,730net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1340SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Catawba College
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C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,599enrollment
  • $12,838net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance82%

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Midwestern State University
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M
Wichita Falls, TX

Midwestern State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 5,784enrollment
  • $11,361net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 910-1100SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.2Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

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Alcorn State University
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A
HBCU
Alcorn State, MS

Alcorn State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 2,933enrollment
  • $14,864net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 903-1115SAT range
  • 15-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance36%

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Longwood University
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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 21 ACT
Admission Chance83%

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Southeastern University
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S
Lakeland, FL

Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,044enrollment
  • $27,910net price
  • 61%acceptance rate
  • 960-1183SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due May 1

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Clayton State University
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C
Morrow, GA

Clayton State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 5,847enrollment
  • $9,792net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 890-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.0Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Jul 17

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University of Hawaii at Hilo
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H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,977enrollment
  • $13,867net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Seattle Pacific University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 3,118enrollment
  • $26,549net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1350SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Jul 11

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University of Nevada Reno
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N
Reno, NV

University of Nevada Reno

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Nevada

  • 20,945enrollment
  • $16,670net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1270SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Apr 7

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Eastern Washington University
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E
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 10,910enrollment
  • $12,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 880-1090SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Sep 10

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The University of Montana
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M
Missoula, MT

The University of Montana

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Montana

  • 9,955enrollment
  • $16,361net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 18

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Concordia University Irvine
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C
Irvine, CA

Concordia University Irvine

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#26 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,744enrollment
  • $29,508net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance54%

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.