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
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred SUNY College of Technology at AlfredNew York 1925 81.74%
University of Nebraska at Kearney University of Nebraska at KearneyNebraska 1925 85.99%
Concordia University-Nebraska Concordia University-NebraskaNebraska 1925 90.84%
Montana Technological University Montana Technological UniversityMontana 1925 89.47%
Southwest Baptist University Southwest Baptist UniversityMissouri 1925 99.55%
Winona State University Winona State UniversityMinnesota 1925 73.75%
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater State UniversityMassachusetts 1925 87.71%
Towson University Towson UniversityMaryland 1925 78.6%
Mount St. Mary's University Mount St. Mary's UniversityMaryland 1925 79.57%
Dillard University Dillard UniversityLouisiana 1925 79.89%
Northern Kentucky University Northern Kentucky UniversityKentucky 1925 86.01%
Wartburg College Wartburg CollegeIowa 1925 97.45%
Aurora University Aurora UniversityIllinois 1925 81.9%
Brigham Young University-Idaho Brigham Young University-IdahoIdaho 1925 95.56%
Georgia Southwestern State University Georgia Southwestern State UniversityGeorgia 1925 73.18%
Piedmont University Piedmont UniversityGeorgia 1925 64.35%
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State UniversityGeorgia 1925 67.85%
Arkansas State University Arkansas State UniversityArkansas 1925 69.51%
University of Central Arkansas University of Central ArkansasArkansas 1925 91.21%
Maranatha Baptist University Maranatha Baptist UniversityWisconsin 1926 75.08%
University of Wisconsin-Stout University of Wisconsin-StoutWisconsin 1926 86.31%
The University of Texas at San Antonio The University of Texas at San AntonioTexas 1926 86.9%
Texas State University Texas State UniversityTexas 1926 87.7%
Middle Tennessee State University Middle Tennessee State UniversityTennessee 1926 72.54%
East Tennessee State University East Tennessee State UniversityTennessee 1926 85.26%
Southern Adventist University Southern Adventist UniversityTennessee 1926 65.78%
Freed-Hardeman University Freed-Hardeman UniversityTennessee 1926 91.19%
Carson-Newman University Carson-Newman UniversityTennessee 1926 79.78%
Winthrop University Winthrop UniversitySouth Carolina 1926 69.76%
Point Park University Point Park UniversityPennsylvania 1926 82.05%
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