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.

Maryland Institute College of Art
M
Baltimore, MD

Maryland Institute College of Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $43,545net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 967-1362SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Feb 1

The University of Texas at El Paso
T
El Paso, TX

The University of Texas at El Paso

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#28 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 23,880enrollment
  • $9,563net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 870-1090SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT

Applications Due May 1

Shenandoah University
S
Winchester, VA

Shenandoah University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 4,260enrollment
  • $26,143net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1230SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Southern Mississippi
S
Hattiesburg, MS

University of Southern Mississippi

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Mississippi

  • 13,526enrollment
  • $14,427net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
F
Orlando, FL

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $27,329net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1140SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance25%

Applications Due Jul 1

Barton College
B
Wilson, NC
 

Barton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#17 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,265enrollment
  • $23,443net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 970-1150SAT range
  • 17-23ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Texas Lutheran University
T
Seguin, TX

Texas Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,369enrollment
  • $21,442net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance89%

University of Lynchburg
L
Lynchburg, VA

University of Lynchburg

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,394enrollment
  • $23,256net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1230SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Sep 1

Texas A & M International University
T
Laredo, TX

Texas A & M International University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

 

#14 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 8,505enrollment
  • $5,383net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 910-1110SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance67%

Western Kentucky University
W
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 16,493enrollment
  • $12,625net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 980-1170SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 1

Charleston Southern University
C
Charleston, SC

Charleston Southern University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 3,418enrollment
  • $17,536net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 940-1170SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
  • 3.24Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Chowan University
C
Murfreesboro, NC
 

Chowan University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 886enrollment
  • $17,334net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 880-1085SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 2.89Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Murray State University
M
Murray, KY

Murray State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 9,479enrollment
  • $11,042net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 965-1190SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Schreiner University
S
Kerrville, TX

Schreiner University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,193enrollment
  • $24,278net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 970-1160SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Piedmont College
P
Demorest, GA

Piedmont College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 1,843enrollment
  • $18,792net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Jul 15

William Peace University
W
Raleigh, NC

William Peace University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 713enrollment
  • $23,041net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1033-1151SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance55%

Southern Virginia University
S
Buena Vista, VA

Southern Virginia University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,053enrollment
  • $23,274net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 900-1250SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
  • 3.19Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Spring Hill College
S
Mobile, AL

Spring Hill College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 1,046enrollment
  • $21,018net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1230SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance73%