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.

University of Mary Hardin Baylor
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%

Salisbury University
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

St. Mary's University
S
San Antonio, TX

St. Mary's University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#13 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,253enrollment
  • $21,379net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Jan 15

Queens University of Charlotte
Q
Charlotte, NC

Queens University of Charlotte

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,873enrollment
  • $29,459net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1255SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
  • 3.41Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Sep 7

Austin College
A
Sherman, TX

Austin College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Texas

  • 1,182enrollment
  • $24,739net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1370SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance49%

Applications Due Jul 31

University of North Carolina at Asheville
N
Asheville, NC

University of North Carolina at Asheville

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 2,914enrollment
  • $14,730net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1340SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance80%

Applications Due Aug 1

Catawba College
C
Salisbury, NC

Catawba College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,172enrollment
  • $19,701net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1210SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Aug 15

Longwood University
L
Farmville, VA

Longwood University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 4,358enrollment
  • $21,772net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.59Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance93%

Rollins College
R
Winter Park, FL

Rollins College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,029enrollment
  • $35,317net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Feb 1

Loyola University Maryland
L
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Maryland

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

29 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Private Colleges in Maryland

  • 5,238enrollment
  • $33,312net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1360SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
  • 3.65Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jan 15

Southwestern University
S
Georgetown, TX

Southwestern University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

27 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,483enrollment
  • $31,014net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1355SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.5Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Feb 1

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
T
Chattanooga, TN

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Public Universities in Tennessee

  • 11,283enrollment
  • $14,417net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1023-1210SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
  • 3.61Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due May 1

Harding University
H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

24 Average ACT Score

 

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.71Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance53%

Saint Edward's University
S
Austin, TX

Saint Edward's University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#11 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 3,470enrollment
  • $27,193net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1270SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.53Estimated Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance91%

Oklahoma State University Main Campus
O
Stillwater, OK

Oklahoma State University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

23 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Value Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 25,372enrollment
  • $16,718net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1250SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
  • 3.63Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance81%

University of North Carolina School of the Arts
N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

26 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,104enrollment
  • $11,251net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1115-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Mar 15

Winthrop University
W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

22 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Roanoke College
R
Salem, VA

Roanoke College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

25 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#4 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,826enrollment
  • $29,169net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA
Your 26 ACT
Admission Chance83%