27 ACT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Penn State and UT Austin both take plenty of students who scored a 27 on the ACT. You're in a good spot: more than 1,300 colleges match this score, and hundreds of them look like realistic targets. This is a solid mid-range result that keeps well-known state universities on the table.
How 27 ACT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 87th - higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 21 - you're above the typical score.
- SAT equivalent: ~1280 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,383 schools (466 target, 84 reach, 833 safety).
Is a 27 ACT Score Good?
Yes, a 27 ACT is a good score. It is six points above the national average of 21, which is a real gap, not a rounding error. You will look competitive at a wide set of public universities and private colleges.
Michigan State's middle 50% runs 25-31, so a 27 is right in range. Baylor (27-32) puts you at the low end. Push toward Ohio State (28-32) or UNC Chapel Hill (28-34) and those become reaches - possible, just not comfortable.
Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, not just this number. A 27 will not make up for a weak GPA, but it also will not hold you back at many well-known schools.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 27 ACT
Look at Arizona State (21-28) and you are near the top of the usual band. UC Irvine (26-33) and the University of Washington (27-33) treat a 27 as a match. Florida State (29-32) and Clemson (28-32) expect a bit more, so those are harder to get into. The tables below sort schools into good fits, tougher bets, and likely backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
A 27 is inside or right at the edge of the middle 50% at schools like San Diego State (22-29) and Tennessee (25-31). You have a good shot if the rest of your application holds up.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
UCLA (29-35) and the University of Florida (29-33) usually want scores a few points higher. A 27 can still work, but these admits are tougher and less predictable.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
You clear the middle 50% by a wide margin at West Virginia (20-26) and Boise State (21-26). There are hundreds of backups like these where your odds look strong.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 27 ACT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 27 ACT in popular states:
Local Options for a 27 ACT
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Should you retake the ACT if you have a 27?
You do not need another ACT if you are happy with targets like Baylor or Alabama. A retake is optional and mainly worth it if you want a better shot at highly selective publics where 28 or 29 is the floor. One extra point or two can move a few reaches into more realistic territory.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective publics like Florida | Time away from grades and activities |
| A 28 or 29 can help at Clemson or Georgia | Gains are not guaranteed even with extra prep |
Focused prep often raises an ACT composite by about 1 or 2 points. Work the sections that dragged you down, take a couple of timed practice tests, and review missed questions instead of cramming new material the week before.
Apply with the 27 if your current schools already feel right, or give yourself a few weeks of targeted practice if those higher reaches matter to you.
27 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 27 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| ACT Score | SAT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 24 | 1180 |
| 25 | 1210 |
| 26 | 1240 |
| 27 | 1280 |
| 28 | 1310 |
| 29 | 1340 |
| 30 | 1370 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 27 ACT places you in about the 87th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 87% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 27 ACT
- Compare nearby scores: 26 and 28
- Browse the equivalent 1280 SAT college list
Published: August 19, 2026