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.

Seattle University
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S
Seattle, WA

Seattle University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in Washington

  • 7,121enrollment
  • $35,412net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 13,991enrollment
  • $17,692net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.97Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Nebraska Lincoln
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N
Lincoln, NE

University of Nebraska Lincoln

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Nebraska

  • 23,805enrollment
  • $16,805net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stetson University
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S
DeLand, FL

Stetson University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,928enrollment
  • $25,756net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1305SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach
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P
West Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,828enrollment
  • $30,276net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 3.36Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance98%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maine
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M
Orono, ME

University of Maine

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Public Universities in Maine

  • 12,231enrollment
  • $17,617net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
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C
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Public Universities in California

  • 27,503enrollment
  • $12,480net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Alabama
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S
Mobile, AL

University of South Alabama

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

 

#6 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 13,438enrollment
  • $15,664net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1003-1200SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jul 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Military Institute
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V
Lexington, VA

Virginia Military Institute

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 1,512enrollment
  • $18,129net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1105-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Iona College
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I
New Rochelle, NY

Iona College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#45 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,621enrollment
  • $28,827net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1210SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bradley University
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B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,552enrollment
  • $24,053net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.83Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance71%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Adelphi University
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A
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#24 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 7,252enrollment
  • $26,953net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1310SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance76%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Point Loma Nazarene University
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P
San Diego, CA

Point Loma Nazarene University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 4,319enrollment
  • $34,933net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Wyoming
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W
Laramie, WY

University of Wyoming

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Wyoming

  • 11,100enrollment
  • $12,819net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 10

Compare Calculate my chances 
Manhattan College
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M
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $29,535net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Aug 31

Compare Calculate my chances 
CUNY City College
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C
New York, NY

CUNY City College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 14,489enrollment
  • $5,181net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1260SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance63%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,682enrollment
  • $31,803net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
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B
New York, NY

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 19,854enrollment
  • $4,991net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Feb 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.