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.

Mount St Mary's University
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M
Emmitsburg, MD

Mount St Mary's University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Maryland

  • 2,456enrollment
  • $24,379net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1250SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Mar 1

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Central Connecticut State University
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C
New Britain, CT

Central Connecticut State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Connecticut

  • 9,468enrollment
  • $17,088net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 940-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 26

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The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
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T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due May 1

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Missouri State University Springfield
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M
Springfield, MO

Missouri State University Springfield

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Missouri

  • 22,535enrollment
  • $17,677net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 973-1230SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Harding University
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H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance34%

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Northeastern Illinois University
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N
Chicago, IL

Northeastern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 5,756enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 810-1010SAT range
  • 15-21ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jul 15

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Rider University
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R
Lawrenceville, NJ

Rider University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in New Jersey

  • 4,054enrollment
  • $26,388net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Edward's University
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S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,470enrollment
  • $27,193net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Monterey Bay
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C
Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#22 Best Public Universities in California

  • 7,045enrollment
  • $11,435net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 960-1160SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Oklahoma State University Main Campus
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O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance63%

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Mount St. Mary's College
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M
Los Angeles, CA

Mount St. Mary's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#27 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 2,440enrollment
  • $28,717net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Pembroke
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N
Pembroke, NC

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,666enrollment
  • $8,208net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 890-1140SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 1

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

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PennWest California
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P
California, PA

PennWest California

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#20 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 6,509enrollment
  • -net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 940-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT

Applications Due Aug 22

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Cleveland State University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Cleveland State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 14,385enrollment
  • $15,719net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 880-1130SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.31Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Aug 15

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College of Coastal Georgia
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C
Brunswick, GA

College of Coastal Georgia

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,147enrollment
  • $12,117net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 900-1140SAT range
  • 15-22ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Aug 5

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Marymount University
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M
Arlington, VA

Marymount University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 3,711enrollment
  • $24,664net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 970-1170SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance72%

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The University of Texas at Tyler
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T
Tyler, TX

The University of Texas at Tyler

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,322enrollment
  • $13,248net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Aug 24

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.