Southern Colleges for a 21 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 21 ACT score?

These Southern 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 302 Southern 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 Southern 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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302 results

List of 21 ACT Colleges

Displaying 302 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 906 target schools (good chance), 246 reach (harder) schools and 549 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Arkansas
A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 30,936enrollment
  • $16,208net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Aug 1

Stephen F Austin State University
S
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#19 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,327enrollment
  • $13,858net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.26Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Jacksonville University
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Valdosta State University
V
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

 

#8 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 10,209enrollment
  • $12,836net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-21ACT range
  • 3.23Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jun 15

Berry College
B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Jul 15

Tarleton State University
T
Stephenville, TX

Tarleton State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 14,092enrollment
  • $13,755net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 950-1150SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.21Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 1

Abilene Christian University
A
Abilene, TX

Abilene Christian University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 5,079enrollment
  • $28,978net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Feb 15

Prairie View A & M University
P
HBCU
Prairie View, TX

Prairie View A & M University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#26 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 9,056enrollment
  • $12,875net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 860-1050SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Mar 1

North Carolina Central University
N
HBCU
Durham, NC

North Carolina Central University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 7,553enrollment
  • $13,708net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 810-1130SAT range
  • 15-23ACT range
  • 3.27Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Aug 1

Middle Tennessee State University
M
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 20,086enrollment
  • $13,062net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Aug 15

Georgia Gwinnett College
G
Lawrenceville, GA

Georgia Gwinnett College

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 11,030enrollment
  • $10,981net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 2.88Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due May 3

North Georgia College & State University
N
Dahlonega, Georgia

North Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 6,062enrollment
  • -net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1270SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance43%

Tuskegee University
T
HBCU
Tuskegee, AL

Tuskegee University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

 

#2 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 2,570enrollment
  • $35,596net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 970-1215SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Apr 15

Georgia College & State University
G
Milledgeville, GA

Georgia College & State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

#3 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 6,315enrollment
  • $20,301net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1230SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Apr 1

University of Tulsa
T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Dallas Baptist University
D
Dallas, TX

Dallas Baptist University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#15 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 4,348enrollment
  • $27,607net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Jacksonville State University
J
Jacksonville, AL

Jacksonville State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 9,632enrollment
  • $11,953net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 940-1200SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Columbus State University
C
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 7,479enrollment
  • $12,902net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 900-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jun 30