Western Colleges for a 21 on the ACT

What Western colleges accept a 21 ACT score?

These Western 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 78 Western 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 Western 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.

View Colleges

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1

78 results

List of 21 ACT Colleges

Displaying 78 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 222 target schools (good chance), 78 reach (harder) schools and 285 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs
C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,431enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance77%

California State University Northridge
C
Northridge, CA

California State University Northridge

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,579enrollment
  • $8,936net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 900-1110SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
  • 3.38Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Nov 30

University of California Merced
C
Merced, CA

University of California Merced

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#14 Best Public Universities in California

  • 9,103enrollment
  • $13,549net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 960-1140SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Nov 30

California State University San Marcos
C
San Marcos, CA

California State University San Marcos

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Public Universities in California

  • 15,109enrollment
  • $10,463net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 950-1130SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.32Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Nov 30

University of Colorado Denver
C
Denver, CO

University of Colorado Denver

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 23,744enrollment
  • $16,079net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1260SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Aug 1

Humboldt State University
H
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#19 Best Public Universities in California

  • 6,025enrollment
  • $14,325net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 970-1190SAT range
  • 17-25ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Applications Due Apr 30

Brigham Young University Idaho
B
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Idaho

  • 43,023enrollment
  • $7,899net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1200SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.34Estimated Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Feb 15

California Baptist University
C
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#31 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 11,495enrollment
  • $27,304net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 960-1150SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance80%

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance47%

Applications Due Nov 30

University of Wyoming
W
Laramie, WY

University of Wyoming

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Wyoming

  • 11,100enrollment
  • $12,819net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Aug 10

Adams State College
A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Hawaii Pacific University
H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Sep 6

University of Idaho
I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,507enrollment
  • $14,954net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance66%

University of La Verne
L
La Verne, CA

University of La Verne

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 5,662enrollment
  • $25,103net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 970-1303SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.24Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Metropolitan State College of Denver
M
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College of Denver

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

19 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 16,995enrollment
  • $14,805net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 16-23ACT range
  • 3.03Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Applications Due Jul 1

Central Washington University
C
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 9,257enrollment
  • $15,864net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 930-1150SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
  • 3.08Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Mar 1

Colorado Mesa University
C
Grand Junction, CO

Colorado Mesa University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

21 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 8,905enrollment
  • $15,085net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 930-1180SAT range
  • 18-25ACT range
  • 3.28Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance82%

University of Hawaii at Hilo
H
Hilo, HI

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

18 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Hawaii

  • 2,977enrollment
  • $13,867net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 960-1200SAT range
  • 16-21ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 21 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jul 1