Colleges for a 26 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 26 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 26 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 533 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 26 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 U.S. colleges

Is a 26 ACT good?

Yes, a score of 26 is very competitive. It situates you in the top 82nd percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your well 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 26 score represents 72% of the total possible points. If a 26 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 26

Let's examine how a 26 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 26 is 5.7 points (28%) higher than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 26 is 5.4 points (26%) higher than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 26 is 4.3 points (20%) higher than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 26 is 9.7 points (60%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 26 is 7.7 points (42%) higher than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 26 is 1.1 points (4%) higher than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 26 is 8.8 points (51%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 26 is 9.1 points (54%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 26 is 5.4 points (26%) higher than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 26 is 5.7 points higher than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 26 ACT score?

A 26 on the ACT translates to a 1240 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 26 ACT score?

Scoring a 26 on the ACT places you in the 82nd percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 82% 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 1,640,000 students placing you ahead of the majority with only 360,000 test takers achieving a higher score.

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ACT 26 Public Private 4 year

533 results nationwide

List of 26 ACT Colleges

Displaying 533 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 1,674 target schools (good chance), 288 reach (harder) schools and 2,640 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of Houston
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H
Houston, TX

University of Houston

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 46,700enrollment
  • $14,056net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due May 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia State University
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G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 36,516enrollment
  • $17,589net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1250SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.54Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Davis
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C
Davis, CA

University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

29 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 39,679enrollment
  • $17,385net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance27%

Applications Due Nov 30

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San Jose State University
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S
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Public Universities in California

  • 35,751enrollment
  • $14,219net price
  • 77%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.35Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Dec 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Long Beach
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C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Tampa
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T
Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,566enrollment
  • $34,653net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance31%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Appalachian State University
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A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.96Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Colorado State University Fort Collins
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C
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 33,403enrollment
  • $16,926net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Howard University
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H
HBCU
Washington, DC

Howard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 12,886enrollment
  • $28,279net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1290SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Feb 15

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University of Delaware
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D
Newark, DE

University of Delaware

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Delaware

  • 24,039enrollment
  • $18,044net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
George Mason University
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G
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 39,049enrollment
  • $18,479net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Washington State University
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W
Pullman, WA

Washington State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 27,539enrollment
  • $17,911net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jan 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Miami University
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M
Oxford, OH

Miami University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 19,107enrollment
  • $23,031net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.85Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Savannah College of Art and Design
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S
Savannah, GA

Savannah College of Art and Design

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 16,414enrollment
  • $45,976net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1280SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Oregon
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O
Eugene, OR

University of Oregon

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 23,163enrollment
  • $22,077net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Oregon State University
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O
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon

  • 34,292enrollment
  • $21,163net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1370SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Iowa State University
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I
Ames, IA

Iowa State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 29,969enrollment
  • $15,310net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Compare Calculate my chances 
James Madison University
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J
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 22,224enrollment
  • $18,274net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.57Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jan 15

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, Florida State University and Arizona State University 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.