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 490 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 California San Diego30
Texas Christian University28
University of California Irvine28
University of Connecticut29
Rhode Island School of Design29
University of California Davis28
University of Denver28
DePauw University26
Purdue University Main Campus28
Sewanee The University of the South27
University of San Diego28
Muhlenberg College28
Chapman University28
University of Tulsa27
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Schools By US Region
ACT 26 Public Private 4 year

490 results nationwide

List of 26 ACT Colleges

Displaying 490 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 1,818 target schools (good chance), 189 reach (harder) schools and 2,400 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Florida State University
F
Tallahassee, FL
Florida State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

28 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Florida

  • 41,005enrollment
  • $12,568net price
  • 36%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1340SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance25%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Arizona State University
A
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 51,585enrollment
  • $14,081net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1360SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Penn State Main Campus
P
University Park, PA
Penn State Main Campus

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

26 Average ACT

#2 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 46,810enrollment
  • $24,724net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance76%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Tech
V
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

28 Average ACT

#3 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 34,683enrollment
  • $18,449net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1390SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.95Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance62%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Michigan State University
Yes, connect me!
S
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

26 Average ACT

#2 Best Colleges in Michigan

  • 50,351enrollment
  • $16,579net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance71%
Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Alabama
A
Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

27 Average ACT

#2 Best Value Colleges in Alabama

  • 38,390enrollment
  • $20,623net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1340SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%
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

  • 68,475enrollment
  • $11,617net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance39%
Compare Calculate my chances 
San Diego State University
S
San Diego, CA
San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,303enrollment
  • $14,499net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance37%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Auburn University
A
Auburn University, AL
Auburn University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

28 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 30,440enrollment
  • $23,562net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance75%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Irvine
C
Irvine, CA
University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

28 Average ACT

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,032enrollment
  • $15,268net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1420SAT range
  • 24-33ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance23%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Baylor University
B
Waco, TX
Baylor University

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

29 Average ACT

#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 17,217enrollment
  • $38,372net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.74*Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance32%
Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Tennessee
Yes, connect me!
T
Knoxville, TN
The University of Tennessee

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

27 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 28,894enrollment
  • $21,024net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1330SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.85Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance76%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Kentucky
K
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT

#2 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 29,182enrollment
  • $18,958net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1320SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg 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

28 Average ACT

#15 Best Public Universities in America

  • 44,474enrollment
  • $12,684net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1440SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance53%
Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A & M University College Station
T
College Station, TX
Texas A & M University College Station

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

28 Average ACT

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 68,679enrollment
  • $19,237net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68*Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance47%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Manoa
H
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 17,710enrollment
  • $15,441net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1270SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance72%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT

#1 Best Public Universities in Arizona

  • 44,097enrollment
  • $16,580net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1360SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%
Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Colorado Boulder
Yes, connect me!
C
Boulder, CO
University of Colorado Boulder

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

28 Average ACT

#3 Best Colleges in Colorado

  • 36,681enrollment
  • $22,077net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance71%
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?

Florida State University, 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.

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.