20 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 20 ACT Score

20 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 20 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 17 to 22. 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 20 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 20 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 20 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 20 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
Dominican University Dominican UniversityIllinois 1622 89.53%
University of Hawaii-West Oahu University of Hawaii-West OahuHawaii 1622 96.37%
Clayton  State University Clayton State UniversityGeorgia 1622 56.32%
Trinity College of Florida Trinity College of FloridaFlorida 1622 59.77%
John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityCalifornia 1622 79.59%
Texas Southern University Texas Southern UniversityTexas 1519 96.8%
Bluffton University Bluffton UniversityOhio 1519 96.29%
Grand River Technical School Grand River Technical SchoolMissouri 1519 100%
Grambling State University Grambling State UniversityLouisiana 1519 42.37%
Southern University and A & M College Southern University and A & M CollegeLouisiana 1519 53.9%
St Luke's College St Luke's CollegeIowa 1519 80%
Gordon State College Gordon State CollegeGeorgia 1519 93.32%
Alabama A & M University Alabama A & M UniversityAlabama 1519 68.4%
Norfolk State University Norfolk State UniversityVirginia 1520 89.5%
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Texas A&M University-San AntonioTexas 1520 96.09%
Lincoln University Lincoln UniversityPennsylvania 1520 80.61%
Thomas University Thomas UniversityGeorgia 1520 46.09%
Georgia State University-Perimeter College Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeGeorgia 1520 99.13%
Union College Union CollegeKentucky 1521 53.42%
Alderson Broaddus University Alderson Broaddus UniversityWest Virginia 1522 61.49%
Francis Marion University Francis Marion UniversitySouth Carolina 1522 82.91%
Bethany College Bethany CollegeKansas 1522 66.03%
College of Coastal Georgia College of Coastal GeorgiaGeorgia 1522 98.33%
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%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
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FAQ for ACT 20 Score

How does a 20 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 20 ACT score is equivalent to around a 980 SAT. This is a lower score that will limit your options at selective schools.

What scholarships are available for a 20 ACT score?

A 20 ACT score will likely make you eligible for smaller scholarships at state universities or less selective colleges.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 20 ACT score?

Ivy League schools require scores above 30, so a 20 would not meet their admission standards. It would be advisable to retake the test if you’re aiming for those schools.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

Yes, retaking the test is recommended for top-tier schools. A 20 will limit your options at more competitive colleges.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average is around 20–21, so a 20 is at the lower end of the spectrum but still technically considered average.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 20 ACT score if submitted?

Submitting a 20 ACT score may not be the most beneficial, but it can still be considered as part of a holistic review.

What GPA is a 20 ACT?

A 20 ACT typically correlates with a GPA between 1.8–2.3, which is below average and may limit your chances at competitive universities.

Can I get into NYU with a 20 ACT?

NYU's average ACT is much higher than 20, so a 20 would not be competitive. Consider retaking or applying to schools with more flexible requirements.

Is 20 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard typically admits students with scores over 30, so a 20 would not be competitive. Retaking the ACT would be necessary for a chance at Harvard.

Can I get into MIT with a 20 ACT?

MIT’s average score is 34, so a 20 would be too low. Retaking the test is essential for a competitive application.

Can I get into Princeton with a 20 ACT score?

Princeton expects scores over 30, so a 20 would not meet their expectations. Retaking the test is highly advised.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 22)?

Improving to 22 would open doors for more options at less competitive schools, and possibly improve your scholarship eligibility.

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