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.

Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 80,065enrollment
  • $14,808net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY

University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 31,547enrollment
  • $18,693net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Feb 15

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 27,151enrollment
  • $14,410net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Manoa
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H
Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Hawaii

  • 19,074enrollment
  • $13,639net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance73%

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University of Arizona
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A
Tucson, AZ

University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 49,403enrollment
  • $17,075net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance78%

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Kennesaw State University
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K
Kennesaw, Georgia

Kennesaw State University

Public 4 Year

20 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 24,176enrollment
  • $15,451net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • 3.33Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance52%

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Texas State University
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T
San Marcos, TX

Texas State University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 38,171enrollment
  • $14,120net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 980-1180SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jun 1

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Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Apr 1

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Dec 15

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California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Howard University
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H
HBCU
Washington, DC

Howard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 12,886enrollment
  • $28,279net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance42%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Florida Atlantic University
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F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due May 1

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San Francisco State University
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S
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in California

  • 25,282enrollment
  • $13,267net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 930-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.31Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 31

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 16,414enrollment
  • $45,976net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

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Oregon State University
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O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 34,292enrollment
  • $21,163net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 29,969enrollment
  • $15,310net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance84%

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.