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.

Duquesne University
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D
Pittsburgh, PA

Duquesne University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 8,107enrollment
  • $33,919net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.8Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Adams State College
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A
Alamosa, CO

Adams State College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

20 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 2,854enrollment
  • $13,224net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 910-1130SAT range
  • 15-26ACT range
  • 3.2Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance99%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of St Thomas
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S
Houston, TX

University of St Thomas

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#12 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,588enrollment
  • $19,207net price
  • 97%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Aug 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Redlands
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R
Redlands, CA

University of Redlands

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,460enrollment
  • $28,157net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1113-1278SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.74Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Hawaii Pacific University
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H
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Hawaii

  • 4,876enrollment
  • $30,501net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1240SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Sep 6

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
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N
Greensboro, NC

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 17,978enrollment
  • $10,979net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1280SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Mar 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $21,863net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Saint Leo University
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S
Saint Leo, FL

Saint Leo University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#16 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,242enrollment
  • $20,390net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.1Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Idaho
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I
Moscow, ID

University of Idaho

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in Idaho

  • 11,507enrollment
  • $14,954net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 990-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.47Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due May 1

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University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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M
Belton, TX

University of Mary Hardin Baylor

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,575enrollment
  • $31,197net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 970-1200SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.53Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Gonzaga University
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G
Spokane, WA

Gonzaga University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in Washington

  • 7,253enrollment
  • $38,727net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1410SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Drake University
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D
Des Moines, IA

Drake University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Iowa

  • 4,685enrollment
  • $30,333net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.7Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance61%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pratt Institute Main
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P
Brooklyn, NY

Pratt Institute Main

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#23 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 5,494enrollment
  • $47,326net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.86Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Jan 5

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Johnson & Wales University Providence
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J
Providence, RI

Johnson & Wales University Providence

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 4,566enrollment
  • $32,801net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College at Brockport
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B
Brockport, NY

SUNY College at Brockport

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#18 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,424enrollment
  • $16,261net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1240SAT range
  • 18-26ACT range
  • 2.79Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $19,756net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
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I
Indianapolis, IN

Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Indiana

  • 25,979enrollment
  • $11,462net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1250SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
  • 3.52Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due May 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.