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
University of Mount Union University of Mount UnionOhio 1926 75.75%
Western Carolina University Western Carolina UniversityNorth Carolina 1926 84.84%
Lake Superior State University Lake Superior State UniversityMichigan 1926 76.91%
University of Southern Maine University of Southern MaineMaine 1926 85.43%
Midway University Midway UniversityKentucky 1926 93.76%
Murray State University Murray State UniversityKentucky 1926 83.98%
Friends University Friends UniversityKansas 1926 63.27%
Wichita State University Wichita State UniversityKansas 1926 94.85%
Central College Central CollegeIowa 1926 79.24%
Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Southern Illinois University-EdwardsvilleIllinois 1926 97.51%
Brigham Young University-Hawaii Brigham Young University-HawaiiHawaii 1926 34.21%
Augusta University Augusta UniversityGeorgia 1926 85.53%
Georgia State University Georgia State UniversityGeorgia 1926 66.78%
Palm Beach Atlantic University Palm Beach Atlantic UniversityFlorida 1926 94.66%
Whitworth University Whitworth UniversityWashington 1927 90.52%
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of Mary Hardin-BaylorTexas 1927 95.67%
University of North Texas University of North TexasTexas 1927 79.13%
Lee University Lee UniversityTennessee 1927 72.59%
Maryville College Maryville CollegeTennessee 1927 69.5%
Christian Brothers University Christian Brothers UniversityTennessee 1927 87.46%
Dakota State University Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota 1927 78.91%
Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma Christian UniversityOklahoma 1927 96.02%
William Peace University William Peace UniversityNorth Carolina 1927 63.18%
Webster University Webster UniversityMissouri 1927 55.1%
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinnesota 1927 56.89%
Western Michigan University Western Michigan UniversityMichigan 1927 84.55%
University of Louisville University of LouisvilleKentucky 1927 81.54%
Emmaus Bible College Emmaus Bible CollegeIowa 1927 100%
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinois 1927 91.5%
Northwest Nazarene University Northwest Nazarene UniversityIdaho 1927 88.19%
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