Midwestern Colleges for a 21 on the ACT

What Midwestern colleges accept a 21 ACT score?

These Midwestern 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 214 Midwestern 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 Midwestern 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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214 results

List of 21 ACT Colleges

Displaying 214 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 630 target schools (good chance), 156 reach (harder) schools and 345 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Iowa State University
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%

Grand Valley State University
G
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 21,648enrollment
  • $17,105net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 960-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due May 1

Illinois State University
I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,683enrollment
  • $20,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Apr 1

Wayne State University
W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,630enrollment
  • $15,347net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Aug 1

Central Michigan University
C
Mount Pleasant, MI

Central Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,557enrollment
  • $15,605net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 980-1220SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Western Michigan University
W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Northern Illinois University
N
Dekalb, IL

Northern Illinois University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 15,649enrollment
  • $13,884net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Aug 1

Southern Illinois University Carbondale
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%

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
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

Concordia University Ann Arbor
C
Ann Arbor, MI

Concordia University Ann Arbor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 1,203enrollment
  • $26,353net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Kent State University at Kent
K
Kent, OH

Kent State University at Kent

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 25,854enrollment
  • $19,046net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Aug 1

Eastern Michigan University
E
Ypsilanti, MI

Eastern Michigan University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 14,018enrollment
  • $15,826net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
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

Saint Cloud State University
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

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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

Ferris State University
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%

University of Toledo
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%

University of Wisconsin Whitewater
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%