16 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 16 ACT Score

16 score on the ACT puts in a good position for College and Universities admissions in the US. Here we are providing a list of Universities and colleges that accept a 16 ACT score. These schools and colleges are good match for your score, as not only you will improve your chances of admissions by applying to these colleges, but also will ensure that you are placed with equally talented students. Some schools that require less than this average score might not be a good match for you as the quality of the students will be lower, though your chances of admissions will be higher at those schools.

Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 13 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.

Best Colleges for 16 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 16 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff University of Arkansas at Pine BluffArkansas 1418 69.33%
Lamar University Lamar UniversityTexas 1419 83.73%
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville State UniversityNorth Carolina 1419 81.24%
Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem State UniversityNorth Carolina 1419 73.39%
Huston-Tillotson University Huston-Tillotson UniversityTexas 1420 51.94%
Kentucky State University Kentucky State UniversityKentucky 1420 91.5%
Gallaudet University Gallaudet UniversityDistrict of Columbia 1420 59.21%
Texas Wesleyan University Texas Wesleyan UniversityTexas 1421 60.93%
Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania 1421 93.96%
Livingstone College Livingstone CollegeNorth Carolina 1421 63.77%
Pfeiffer University Pfeiffer UniversityNorth Carolina 1421 69.05%
York University York UniversityNebraska 1427 57.29%
Mississippi Valley State University Mississippi Valley State UniversityMississippi 1318 64.78%
Point University Point UniversityGeorgia 1323 24.2%
Carroll College Carroll CollegeMontana 1329 78.08%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
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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.

Best Suited Colleges for ACT Score

36 ACT Score Best Colleges35 ACT Score Best Colleges34 ACT Score Best Colleges
33 ACT Score Best Colleges32 ACT Score Best Colleges31 ACT Score Best Colleges
30 ACT Score Best Colleges29 ACT Score Best Colleges28 ACT Score Best Colleges
27 ACT Score Best Colleges26 ACT Score Best Colleges25 ACT Score Best Colleges
24 ACT Score Best Colleges23 ACT Score Best Colleges22 ACT Score Best Colleges
21 ACT Score Best Colleges20 ACT Score Best Colleges19 ACT Score Best Colleges
18 ACT Score Best Colleges17 ACT Score Best Colleges16 ACT Score Best Colleges
15 ACT Score Best Colleges14 ACT Score Best Colleges13 ACT Score Best Colleges