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
Pacific University Pacific UniversityOregon 2026 92.28%
Walsh University Walsh UniversityOhio 2026 72.51%
Ashland University Ashland UniversityOhio 2026 71.76%
Lake Erie College Lake Erie CollegeOhio 2026 54.1%
Caldwell University Caldwell UniversityNew Jersey 2026 66.37%
William Jewell College William Jewell CollegeMissouri 2026 40.99%
Missouri Baptist University Missouri Baptist UniversityMissouri 2026 70.9%
Missouri State University-Springfield Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouri 2026 92.56%
Hamline University Hamline UniversityMinnesota 2026 80.55%
Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor UniversityMichigan 2026 47.32%
University of Northern Iowa University of Northern IowaIowa 2026 94.95%
Purdue University Fort Wayne Purdue University Fort WayneIndiana 2026 80.66%
Jacksonville University Jacksonville UniversityFlorida 2026 57.69%
Howard University Howard UniversityDistrict of Columbia 2026 53.43%
University of South Alabama University of South AlabamaAlabama 2026 65.36%
Concordia University-Wisconsin Concordia University-WisconsinWisconsin 2027 70.37%
University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleWisconsin 2027 85.43%
Carthage College Carthage CollegeWisconsin 2027 81.83%
Seattle Pacific University Seattle Pacific UniversityWashington 2027 90.71%
Utah State University Utah State UniversityUtah 2027 93.73%
Texas Lutheran University Texas Lutheran UniversityTexas 2027 91.83%
Saint Edward's University Saint Edward's UniversityTexas 2027 85.1%
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOklahoma 2027 70.63%
Otterbein University Otterbein UniversityOhio 2027 83.68%
Baldwin Wallace University Baldwin Wallace UniversityOhio 2027 77.04%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth Carolina 2027 79.64%
Culinary Institute of America Culinary Institute of AmericaNew York 2027 94.86%
Montana State University Montana State UniversityMontana 2027 73.33%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. LouisMissouri 2027 91.58%
University of Missouri-St Louis University of Missouri-St LouisMissouri 2027 51.11%
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