What colleges accept a 26 ACT score?
Based on 2021 freshman class ACT scores for all U.S. colleges, here are 455 schools where submitting a 26 with your college application places you around the middle ACT score range of admitted students. This list represents the most popular schools where you will be a competitive applicant and those which have historically accepted a 26 ACT score. Keep in mind, an ACT score alone won't get you admitted. It's equally important to have the GPA that the college is expecting for incoming students.
Yes, a score of 26 is very competitive. It places you in the top 82nd percentile nationally out of the 2 million test takers of the ACT entrance exam. The score indicates you've done a well above above average job answering the questions on the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the test. If a 26 isn't strong enough to get into your dream school, consider taking a test prep course to see if you can raise your score.
For comparison purposes, a 26 on the ACT converts to a 1240 on the SAT based on the College Board / ACT concordance. Not all colleges report both SAT and ACT score admission data so you should check our comparable listings for both standardized tests to find academically similar schools.
Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.
College | Average ACT |
---|---|
Yeshiva University | 27 |
University of Denver | 28 |
Texas Christian University | 28 |
University of California Irvine | 29 |
Sewanee The University of the South | 27 |
The University of Texas at Austin | 29 |
University of California Davis | 29 |
Bentley University | 28 |
DePauw University | 25 |
Muhlenberg College | 28 |
Chapman University | 27 |
Purdue University Main Campus | 29 |
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 28 |
Texas A & M University College Station | 29 |
Saint Louis University Main Campus | 28 |
455 results nationwide
Displaying 455 colleges where your 26 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 1,500 target schools (good chance), 207 reach (harder) schools and 2,445 safety (easier) schools you can consider.
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
29 Average ACT
#11 Best Public Universities in America
Applications Due Dec 1
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
24 Average ACT
#3 Best Colleges in Arizona
Applications Due May 1
Public 4 Year
0 reviews
26 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
28 Average ACT
#24 Best Public Universities in America
Applications Due Feb 1
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
26 Average ACT
#3 Best Colleges in Michigan
Public 4 Year
7 reviews
27 Average ACT
#1 Best Value in Alabama
Applications Due Apr 1
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
27 Average ACT
#3 Best Public Universities in Florida
Applications Due Mar 1
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
25 Average ACT
#10 Best Public Universities in California
Applications Due Nov 30
Public 4 Year
9 reviews
28 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Alabama
Applications Due Jan 15
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
29 Average ACT
#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio
Applications Due Feb 1
Public 4 Year
2 reviews
29 Average ACT
#10 Best Public Universities in America
Applications Due Nov 30
Public 4 Year
4 reviews
28 Average ACT
#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee
Applications Due Apr 1
Public 4 Year
2 reviews
25 Average ACT
#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky
Applications Due Feb 15
Public 4 Year
4 reviews
29 Average ACT
#16 Best Public Universities in America
Applications Due Mar 1
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
29 Average ACT
#18 Best Public Universities in America
Applications Due Dec 1
Public 4 Year
2 reviews
24 Average ACT
#1 Best Public Universities in Hawaii
Applications Due Feb 1
Public 4 Year
0 reviews
25 Average ACT
#1 Best Value in Arizona
Applications Due May 1
Public 4 Year
4 reviews
28 Average ACT
#3 Best Colleges in Colorado
Applications Due Jan 15
Yes, a score of 26 is very competitive. The score puts you in the top 82nd percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 26 ACT score.
The University of Texas at Austin, Arizona State University and Penn State Main Campus are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 26 ACT score.
A 26 ranks in the top 82nd percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.
A 26 converts to a 1240 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1240 SAT score.