Southern Colleges for a 26 on the ACT

What Southern colleges accept a 26 ACT score?

These Southern 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 167 Southern 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 Southern 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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167 results

List of 26 ACT Colleges

Displaying 167 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 567 target schools (good chance), 60 reach (harder) schools and 1,146 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Savannah College of Art and Design
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%

James Madison University
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

University of North Texas
N
Denton, TX

University of North Texas

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#8 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 44,767enrollment
  • $15,283net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1240SAT range
  • 19-27ACT range
  • 3.46Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Aug 1

University of South Florida Main Campus
S
Tampa, FL

University of South Florida Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 49,600enrollment
  • $11,004net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.64Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due May 1

West Virginia University
W
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#1 Best Value in West Virginia

  • 24,741enrollment
  • $12,202net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.45Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Elon University
E
Elon, NC

Elon University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $41,527net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1360SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
  • 3.65Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jan 10

University of North Carolina at Charlotte
N
Charlotte, NC

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 29,551enrollment
  • $13,951net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.57Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Jun 1

The University of Texas at Dallas
T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

28 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.78Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due May 1

Old Dominion University
O
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 23,107enrollment
  • $16,098net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1250SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Feb 1

College of Charleston
C
Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.94Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jan 15

Florida International University
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

Texas Christian University
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

The University of Texas at Arlington
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

Western Carolina University
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

Mercer University
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

The University of Texas at San Antonio
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

Nova Southeastern University
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%

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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