What colleges can I apply to with an ACT score of 21?
Looking at the most recent published freshman class ACT scores for all U.S. colleges, we've found 686 schools where submitting a 21 with your college application places you around the middle ACT score range of admitted students' average ACT scores. They represent the most popular schools where you will be a competitive applicant and those which have historically accepted a 21 ACT score. You can view your reach schools and safety schools by using the admission chance filter. Keep in mind, an ACT score alone won't get you admitted. It's equally important to have the GPA that the college is expecting for incoming students.
A score of 21 is a little better than average. It places you in the top 57th percentile nationally out of the 2 million test takers of the ACT entrance exam. The score indicates you've done a slightly above average job answering the questions on the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the test. If a 21 isn't strong enough to get into your dream school, consider taking a test prep course to see if you can raise your score.
For comparison purposes, a 21 on the ACT converts to a 1080 on the SAT based on the College Board / ACT concordance. Not all colleges report both SAT and ACT score admission data so you should check our comparable listings for both standardized tests to find academically similar schools.
Here are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in this test score range. Scroll down further to explore, search, sort and filter the full list.
College | Average ACT |
---|---|
Saint Marys College of California | 24 |
Linfield College McMinnville Campus | 23 |
Springfield College | 24 |
University of Illinois at Chicago | 25 |
Adelphi University | 24 |
Molloy College | 24 |
SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome | 24 |
University of Arizona | 25 |
Andrews University | 24 |
Bethel University | 24 |
University of Redlands | 22 |
Elizabethtown College | 23 |
College of Saint Benedict | 24 |
Regis University | 24 |
Citadel Military College of South Carolina | 23 |
686 results nationwide
Displaying 686 colleges where your 21 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 2,070 target schools (good chance), 621 reach (harder) schools and 1,233 safety (easier) schools you can consider.
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
24 Average ACT
#3 Best Colleges in Arizona
Public 4 Year
4 reviews
21 Average ACT
#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina
Public 4 Year
1 reviews
24 Average ACT
#1 Best Public Universities in Hawaii
Public 4 Year
0 reviews
25 Average ACT
#1 Best Value in Arizona
Public 4 Year
18 reviews
22 Average ACT
Public 4 Year
5 reviews
22 Average ACT
#7 Best Public Universities in Texas
Public 4 Year
2 reviews
23 Average ACT
#4 Best Public Universities in Georgia
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
22 Average ACT
#11 Best Public Universities in California
Public 4 Year
1 reviews
23 Average ACT
#10 Best Public Universities in California
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
23 Average ACT
#7 Best Public Universities in Florida
Public 4 Year
0 reviews
19 Average ACT
#17 Best Public Universities in California
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
23 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Washington
Public 4 Year
1 reviews
25 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Oregon
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
24 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Iowa
Public 4 Year
3 reviews
23 Average ACT
#9 Best Public Universities in Florida
Public 4 Year
1 reviews
25 Average ACT
#2 Best Public Universities in Illinois
Public 4 Year
2 reviews
23 Average ACT
#8 Best Public Universities in Texas
Public 4 Year
4 reviews
24 Average ACT
#1 Best Value in West Virginia
A score of 21 is a little better than average. The score puts you in the top 57th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 21 ACT score.
Arizona State University, East Carolina University and University of Hawaii at Manoa are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 21 ACT score.
A 21 ranks in the top 57th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.
A 21 converts to a 1080 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1080 SAT score.