Washington Colleges for a 26 on the ACT

With a 26 ACT, you are competitive at 30 four-year colleges in Washington (7 target, 4 reach, 19 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 1240 SAT.

Colleges in Washington for a 26 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 26 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Washington State University Pullman, WA	20-26	23	87%	Medium
Western Washington University Bellingham, WA	24-31	27	93%	Medium
Seattle University Seattle, WA	23-30	26	77%	Medium
Seattle Pacific University Seattle, WA	20-28	24	83%	Medium
Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA	22-28	25	78%	Medium
The Evergreen State College Olympia, WA	23-29	26	96%	Medium
Whitworth University Spokane, WA	21-29	25	90%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Washington Seattle Campus Seattle, WA	27-33	30	39%	Low
Gonzaga University Spokane, WA	27-31	29	82%	Low
Whitman College Walla Walla, WA	29-33	31	38%	Low
University of Puget Sound Tacoma, WA	27-31	29	72%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 26; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Central Washington University Ellensburg, WA	17-24	20	91%	High
Eastern Washington University Cheney, WA	16-23	19	91%	High
Bellevue College Bellevue, WA	-	-	100%	High
University of Washington Tacoma Campus Tacoma, WA	16-24	20	83%	High
Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA	16-20	18	90%	High
Walla Walla University College Place, WA	-	-	100%	High
Lake Washington Institute of Technology Kirkland, WA	-	-	100%	High
Antioch University Seattle Seattle, WA	-	-	100%	High
City University of Seattle Seattle, WA	-	-	100%	High
Olympic College Bremerton, WA	-	-	100%	High
Seattle Central College Seattle, WA	-	-	100%	High
Columbia Basin College Pasco, WA	-	-	100%	High

View all 19 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 26 ACT in Washington

See all colleges nationally for a 26 ACT

26 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 26 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
23	1140
24	1180
25	1210
26	1240
27	1280
28	1310
29	1340

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026