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 Utah
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U
Salt Lake City, UT

University of Utah

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Utah

  • 34,734enrollment
  • $12,399net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 55,609enrollment
  • $9,881net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University at Buffalo
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U
Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,099enrollment
  • $18,524net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1380SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance60%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Christian University
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T
Fort Worth, TX

Texas Christian University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 12,273enrollment
  • $44,190net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.68Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Cincinnati Main Campus
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C
Cincinnati, OH

University of Cincinnati Main Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 41,155enrollment
  • $20,149net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1360SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
DePaul University
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D
Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 20,917enrollment
  • $32,151net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
CUNY Hunter College
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H
New York, NY

CUNY Hunter College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 22,970enrollment
  • $4,848net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance38%

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at Arlington
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T
Arlington, TX

The University of Texas at Arlington

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 43,946enrollment
  • $14,262net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 3.43Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Carolina University
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W
Cullowhee, NC

Western Carolina University

Public 4 Year

10 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 11,635enrollment
  • $13,022net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.44Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mercer University
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M
Macon, GA

Mercer University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Value Colleges in Georgia

  • 8,889enrollment
  • $22,087net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.98Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance64%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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W
West Chester, PA

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 17,275enrollment
  • $22,973net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1260SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.43Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Rhode Island
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R
Kingston, RI

University of Rhode Island

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Rhode Island

  • 17,473enrollment
  • $20,695net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1270SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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T
San Antonio, TX

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 34,393enrollment
  • $12,664net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Jun 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Nova Southeastern University
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N
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 20,948enrollment
  • $29,589net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1310SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Illinois State University
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I
Normal, IL

Illinois State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Illinois

  • 20,683enrollment
  • $20,551net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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O
Norman, OK

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Oklahoma

  • 28,308enrollment
  • $22,601net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1330SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.66Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Commonwealth University
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V
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 28,082enrollment
  • $21,294net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1290SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 18

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Wayne State University
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W
Detroit, MI

Wayne State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 23,630enrollment
  • $15,347net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Aug 1

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.