A 16 ACT Score is Below Average (22nd percentile). You are currently below the national mean. This score may limit your options to colleges with high acceptance rates or open enrollment policies.
2026 Admissions Real Talk: At a 16, we recommend looking at Test-Optional schools where your extracurriculars and life experience can shine. Many regional universities will prioritize your 3.0+ GPA over this testing data.
Best Colleges for 16 ACT Score
Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 16 ACT Score.
| Logo | College | State | ACT 25th Percentile | ACT 75th Percentile | Acceptance Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logo | College | State | ACT 25th Percentile | ACT 75th Percentile | Acceptance Rate | Status |
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North Carolina Central University | North Carolina | 17 | 18 | 90.49% | HARD REACH |
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St Luke's College | Iowa | 16 | 19 | 44.44% | SOLID MATCH |
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Fort Valley State University | Georgia | 16 | 19 | 62.8% | SOLID MATCH |
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The University of Texas Permian Basin | Texas | 16 | 20 | 84.46% | SOLID MATCH |
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Prairie View A & M University | Texas | 16 | 20 | 75.3% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas A & M International University | Texas | 16 | 20 | 45.96% | SOLID MATCH |
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Siena Heights University | Michigan | 16 | 20 | 66.56% | SOLID MATCH |
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Western Kentucky University | Kentucky | 16 | 20 | 97.05% | SOLID MATCH |
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Clayton State University | Georgia | 16 | 20 | 70.59% | SOLID MATCH |
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Alabama State University | Alabama | 16 | 20 | 95.64% | SOLID MATCH |
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Norfolk State University | Virginia | 16 | 21 | 87.46% | SOLID MATCH |
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Tennessee State University | Tennessee | 16 | 21 | 92.63% | SOLID MATCH |
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Southeast Missouri State University | Missouri | 16 | 21 | 78.5% | SOLID MATCH |
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Alice Lloyd College | Kentucky | 16 | 21 | 85.57% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ottawa University-Ottawa | Kansas | 16 | 21 | 80.03% | SOLID MATCH |
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Georgia Southwestern State University | Georgia | 16 | 21 | 77.16% | SOLID MATCH |
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Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Georgia | 16 | 21 | 77.16% | SOLID MATCH |
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West Virginia State University | West Virginia | 16 | 22 | 96.37% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas A&M University-Texarkana | Texas | 16 | 22 | 80.19% | SOLID MATCH |
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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley | Texas | 16 | 22 | 84.82% | SOLID MATCH |
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East Central University | Oklahoma | 16 | 22 | 65.55% | SOLID MATCH |
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Northwestern Oklahoma State University | Oklahoma | 16 | 22 | 66.43% | SOLID MATCH |
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Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | North Carolina | 16 | 22 | 49.21% | SOLID MATCH |
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North Carolina A & T State University | North Carolina | 16 | 22 | 46.17% | SOLID MATCH |
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Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte | North Carolina | 16 | 22 | 75.28% | SOLID MATCH |
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Missouri Valley College | Missouri | 16 | 22 | 52.69% | SOLID MATCH |
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Spalding University | Kentucky | 16 | 22 | 98.64% | SOLID MATCH |
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William Penn University | Iowa | 16 | 22 | 57.01% | SOLID MATCH |
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Middle Georgia State University | Georgia | 16 | 22 | 99.77% | SOLID MATCH |
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Williams Baptist University | Arkansas | 16 | 22 | 58.88% | SOLID MATCH |
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Averett University | Virginia | 16 | 23 | 47.8% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas Wesleyan University | Texas | 16 | 23 | 62.39% | SOLID MATCH |
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St. Mary's University | Texas | 16 | 23 | 88.95% | SOLID MATCH |
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SUNY College of Technology at Alfred | New York | 16 | 23 | 81.75% | SOLID MATCH |
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York University | Nebraska | 16 | 23 | 47.63% | SOLID MATCH |
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Stephens College | Missouri | 16 | 23 | 91.55% | SOLID MATCH |
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Calvary University | Missouri | 16 | 23 | 70.91% | SOLID MATCH |
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Metropolitan State University | Minnesota | 16 | 23 | 96.49% | SOLID MATCH |
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Anderson University | Indiana | 16 | 23 | 53.42% | SOLID MATCH |
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Judson University | Illinois | 16 | 23 | 63.12% | SOLID MATCH |
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Mount Mary University | Wisconsin | 16 | 24 | 93.35% | SOLID MATCH |
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Bethel University | Tennessee | 16 | 24 | 97.17% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Providence | Montana | 16 | 24 | 64.2% | SOLID MATCH |
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Logan University | Missouri | 16 | 24 | 90% | SOLID MATCH |
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Fort Lewis College | Colorado | 16 | 24 | 93.2% | SOLID MATCH |
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Waynesburg University | Pennsylvania | 16 | 25 | 91.69% | SOLID MATCH |
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Purdue University Northwest | Indiana | 16 | 25 | 70.63% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Connecticut-Stamford | Connecticut | 16 | 25 | 80.19% | SOLID MATCH |
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Brevard College | North Carolina | 16 | 26 | 39.5% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ohio Christian University | Ohio | 15 | 17 | 39.9% | SOLID MATCH |
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Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College | Indiana | 15 | 18 | 76.14% | SOLID MATCH |
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Bethune-Cookman University | Florida | 15 | 18 | 99.85% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas Southern University | Texas | 15 | 19 | 93.35% | SOLID MATCH |
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Grambling State University | Louisiana | 15 | 19 | 23.68% | COMP. MATCH |
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Southern University and A & M College | Louisiana | 15 | 19 | 49.87% | SOLID MATCH |
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Life University | Georgia | 15 | 19 | 93.81% | SOLID MATCH |
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Fayetteville State University | North Carolina | 15 | 20 | 79.89% | SOLID MATCH |
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Jackson State University | Mississippi | 15 | 20 | 91.03% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas A&M University-San Antonio | Texas | 15 | 21 | 92% | SOLID MATCH |
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Wilberforce University | Ohio | 15 | 21 | 52.73% | SOLID MATCH |
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Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus | New Mexico | 15 | 21 | 54.92% | SOLID MATCH |
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Avila University | Missouri | 15 | 21 | 59.54% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Hawaii-West Oahu | Idaho | 15 | 21 | 95.6% | SOLID MATCH |
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Gordon State College | Georgia | 15 | 21 | 86.78% | SOLID MATCH |
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Georgia State University-Perimeter College | Georgia | 15 | 21 | 99.59% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ottawa University-Surprise | Arizona | 15 | 21 | 39.88% | SOLID MATCH |
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Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences | Ohio | 15 | 22 | 41.27% | SOLID MATCH |
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Tiffin University | Ohio | 15 | 22 | 79.77% | SOLID MATCH |
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Mercy College of Ohio | Ohio | 15 | 22 | 42.76% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Hawaii at Hilo | Hawaii | 15 | 22 | 89.77% | SOLID MATCH |
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Trinity College of Florida | Florida | 15 | 22 | 96.3% | SOLID MATCH |
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Point University | Georgia | 15 | 23 | 67.51% | SOLID MATCH |
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Concordia University Texas | Texas | 15 | 24 | 91.06% | SOLID MATCH |
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Mount Aloysius College | Pennsylvania | 15 | 24 | 90.41% | SOLID MATCH |
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Alcorn State University | Mississippi | 15 | 24 | 24.66% | COMP. MATCH |
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LIM College | New York | 15 | 25 | 98.75% | SOLID MATCH |
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Chamberlain University-Illinois | Illinois | 14 | 17 | 88.57% | SOLID MATCH |
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Winston-Salem State University | North Carolina | 14 | 18 | 68.55% | SOLID MATCH |
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Mississippi Valley State University | Mississippi | 14 | 18 | 51.16% | SOLID MATCH |
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Southern University at New Orleans | Louisiana | 14 | 18 | 60.21% | SOLID MATCH |
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Gallaudet University | District of Columbia | 14 | 18 | 60.94% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff | Arkansas | 14 | 18 | 57.54% | SOLID MATCH |
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Benedict College | South Carolina | 14 | 19 | 67.3% | SOLID MATCH |
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Missouri Baptist University | Missouri | 14 | 19 | 64.1% | SOLID MATCH |
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Alabama A & M University | Alabama | 14 | 19 | 66.22% | SOLID MATCH |
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Virginia State University | Virginia | 14 | 20 | 89.1% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of the Virgin Islands | Virgin Islands | 14 | 20 | 97.44% | SOLID MATCH |
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Kentucky State University | Kentucky | 14 | 20 | 92.55% | SOLID MATCH |
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Warner University | Florida | 14 | 20 | 47.79% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of North Texas at Dallas | Texas | 14 | 21 | 93.86% | SOLID MATCH |
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Union Commonwealth University | Kentucky | 14 | 21 | 55.04% | SOLID MATCH |
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Upper Iowa University | Iowa | 14 | 21 | 93.38% | SOLID MATCH |
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Saint Martin's University | Washington | 14 | 22 | 75.93% | SOLID MATCH |
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College of Coastal Georgia | Georgia | 14 | 22 | 98.51% | SOLID MATCH |
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Cottey College | Missouri | 14 | 24 | 66.31% | SOLID MATCH |
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Greenville University | Illinois | 14 | 24 | 95.37% | SOLID MATCH |
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Millikin University | Illinois | 14 | 24 | 54.05% | SOLID MATCH |
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Manhattan Christian College | Kansas | 14 | 26 | 100% | SOLID MATCH |
Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 14 to 18. We are also showing you the 25th percentile and 75th percentile ACT Score of the admitted students so that you can have a clear understanding of how many students score what ACT Score. If your 16 ACT Score is higher than 25th percentile, it means your score is better than the quarter of the admitted students, and if it is higher than 75th percentile, then it means your ACT score of 16 is higher than 75% of the students admitted at that school.
Choose a college where your score is near to 75th percentile, this will maximize your chances of admission. You can also apply to other schools as well, but to be on safe side, you must apply to at least 2-3 such schools and colleges.
Data Methodology & Expert Verification
The admission statuses (Elite Reach, Competitive Match, etc.) displayed on this page are calculated using a proprietary 7-tier multivariate logic. Unlike static lists, our algorithm cross-references the student's score of 16 against:
- 2024-2025 Common Data Set (CDS): Specifically Section C8 (Standardized Testing) and Section C9 (Percentiles).
- IPEDS Analytics: Latest federal reporting on institutional acceptance rates.
- 2026 Trend Analysis: Adjustments for schools that have recently reinstated mandatory testing (e.g., Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard).
Note: Standardized test scores are one component of a holistic application. For 2026, many institutions place "Very Important" weight on the rigors of your secondary school record and GPA.
FAQ for ACT 16 Score
How does a 16 ACT score compare to the SAT?
A 16 ACT score is roughly equivalent to an SAT score of around 870. This is a low score that would limit your options at most universities.
What scholarships are available for a 16 ACT score?
With a 16 ACT score, you may be eligible for small scholarships at state universities, but more competitive scholarships will likely require higher scores.
Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 16 ACT score?
Ivy League schools usually require scores above 30, so a 16 would not meet their competitive standards. Retaking the test would be beneficial if you aim for these schools.
Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?
Yes, retaking the ACT is highly recommended if you’re aiming for more competitive universities. Focus on areas of weakness to improve your score.
What is the national average ACT score?
The national average is 20–21, so a 16 is significantly below average. It would limit your chances at many competitive institutions.
Do test-optional colleges consider a 16 ACT score if submitted?
Submitting a 16 ACT score to test-optional colleges would not strengthen your application. You may want to focus on other aspects of your application.
What GPA is a 16 ACT?
A 16 ACT usually corresponds to a GPA between 1.0 and 1.4, which is well below the average GPA for many universities.
Can I get into NYU with a 16 ACT?
NYU’s average ACT is much higher than a 16, so you would need to retake the test or apply to schools with lower requirements.
Is 16 a good ACT score for Harvard?
Harvard’s average ACT score is above 30, so a 16 is far below the competitive range for admission. Consider retaking the test for better chances.
Can I get into MIT with a 16 ACT?
MIT’s typical ACT score is 34, so a 16 would not meet their standards. Retaking the test for a higher score is essential.
Can I get into Princeton with a 16 ACT score?
Princeton’s average ACT score is well above 30, so a 16 would not be competitive. Retake the test to improve your score for Princeton.
What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 18)?
Improving to 18 would provide a slight improvement, but your chances at more selective colleges would still be limited.