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.

View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1
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 2,646 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Christopher Newport University
Connect Me
C
Newport News, VA

Christopher Newport University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,559enrollment
  • $23,287net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Culinary Institute of America
Connect Me
C
Hyde Park, NY

Culinary Institute of America

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 3,124enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 980-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.26Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Xavier University
Connect Me
X
Cincinnati, OH

Xavier University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 6,114enrollment
  • $31,619net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1310SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Arkansas
Connect Me
A
Fayetteville, AR

University of Arkansas

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 30,936enrollment
  • $16,208net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Louisiana State University
Connect Me
L
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Louisiana

  • 37,348enrollment
  • $21,296net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Michigan University
Connect Me
W
Kalamazoo, MI

Western Michigan University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 17,000enrollment
  • $20,030net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 990-1220SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Butler University
Connect Me
B
Indianapolis, IN

Butler University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 5,525enrollment
  • $37,399net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1320SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.92Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Aug 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Western Washington University
Connect Me
W
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Public Universities in Washington

  • 14,747enrollment
  • $21,105net price
  • 93%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.46Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Marquette University
Connect Me
M
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Wisconsin

  • 11,167enrollment
  • $33,136net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Jacksonville University
Connect Me
J
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,837enrollment
  • $26,943net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Connect Me
C
Colorado Springs, CO

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 11,431enrollment
  • $16,990net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1015-1215SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.36Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance89%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pace University New York
Connect Me
P
New York, NY

Pace University New York

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#39 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 13,609enrollment
  • $33,363net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
Connect Me
E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,301enrollment
  • $38,983net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.88Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance65%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Berry College
Connect Me
B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hofstra University
Connect Me
H
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#25 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,238enrollment
  • $35,036net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance57%

Compare Calculate my chances 
United States Naval Academy
Connect Me
N
Annapolis, Maryland

United States Naval Academy

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

 

 

  • 4,450enrollment
  • -net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1440SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
  • 3.8Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance8%

Applications Due Jan 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
Flagler College St Augustine
Connect Me
F
Saint Augustine, FL

Flagler College St Augustine

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 2,623enrollment
  • $26,547net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1230SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.38Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance84%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Dallas
Connect Me
D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,328enrollment
  • $27,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.9Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance55%

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.