Colleges for a 26 on the ACT

What colleges can I apply to with an ACT score of 26?

With a 26 on the ACT, these colleges are a good match for your score

Looking at the most recent published freshman class ACT scores for all U.S. colleges, we've found 454 schools where submitting a 26 with your college application places you around the middle ACT score range of admitted students' average ACT scores. They represent the most popular schools where you will be a competitive applicant and those which have historically accepted a 26 ACT score. You can view your reach schools and safety schools by using the admission chance filter. 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.

Is a 26 a good ACT score?

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.

What is the SAT equivalent to a 26 ACT 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.

What colleges can I get into?

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.

Best ranked colleges for a 26 ACT score
CollegeAverage ACT
Yeshiva University27
University of Denver28
Texas Christian University28
University of California Irvine29
Sewanee The University of the South27
The University of Texas at Austin29
University of California Davis29
Bentley University28
DePauw University25
Muhlenberg College28
Chapman University27
Purdue University Main Campus29
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences28
Texas A & M University College Station29
Saint Louis University Main Campus28
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Schools By US Region
ACT 26 Public Private 4 year

454 results nationwide

List of 26 ACT Colleges

Displaying 454 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 1,578 target schools (good chance), 204 reach (harder) schools and 2,370 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

29 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 50,476enrollment
  • $16,892net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1470SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance23%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

24 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 74,795enrollment
  • $14,653net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Tech
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V
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

28 Average ACT

#24 Best Public Universities in America

  • 37,024enrollment
  • $20,247net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1370SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance58%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Michigan State University
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S
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

26 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Michigan

  • 49,695enrollment
  • $16,655net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance76%
Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Alabama
A
Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

27 Average ACT

#1 Best Value in Alabama

  • 37,840enrollment
  • $20,518net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.82Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Central Florida
C
Orlando, FL
University of Central Florida

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

27 Average ACT

#3 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 71,881enrollment
  • $11,108net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 4.16Avg Weighted GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance40%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Diego State University
S
San Diego, CA
San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

25 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,334enrollment
  • $13,192net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.81Avg Weighted GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance41%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Auburn University
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A
Auburn University, AL
Auburn University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

28 Average ACT

#2 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 30,737enrollment
  • $24,028net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Ohio State University
Connect Me
O
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

29 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 61,369enrollment
  • $18,884net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1430SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.76Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance56%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Irvine
C
Irvine, CA
University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

29 Average ACT

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,303enrollment
  • $13,106net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg Weighted GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance21%
Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Tennessee
Connect Me
T
Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

28 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 30,559enrollment
  • $21,133net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1303SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.93Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance71%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Kentucky
Connect Me
K
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 29,986enrollment
  • $19,831net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Purdue University Main Campus
P
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

29 Average ACT

#15 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,655enrollment
  • $12,294net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1420SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance58%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M University College Station
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T
College Station, TX
Texas A & M University College Station

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

29 Average ACT

#17 Best Public Universities in America

  • 70,418enrollment
  • $19,906net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance50%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Manoa
H
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 18,025enrollment
  • $15,193net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 45,601enrollment
  • $15,620net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Colorado Boulder
Connect Me
C
Boulder, CO
University of Colorado Boulder

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

28 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Colorado

  • 37,437enrollment
  • $21,198net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance79%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Tech University
Connect Me
T
Lubbock, TX
Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

24 Average ACT

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,322enrollment
  • $15,452net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%
Compare Calculate my chances 

FAQs

Is a 26 a good ACT score?

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.

What colleges can I get into with a 26 ACT score?

The University of Texas at Austin, Arizona State University and Virginia Tech 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.

What percentile is 26 on the ACT?

A 26 ranks in the top 82nd percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 26 ACT?

A 26 converts to a 1240 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1240 SAT score.