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
Louisiana Christian University Louisiana Christian UniversityLouisiana 1823 74.61%
Northwestern State University of Louisiana Northwestern State University of LouisianaLouisiana 1823 97.93%
Ottawa University-Ottawa Ottawa University-OttawaKansas 1823 78.23%
Clarke University Clarke UniversityIowa 1823 84.8%
Georgia Southern University Georgia Southern UniversityGeorgia 1823 88.89%
Truett McConnell University Truett McConnell UniversityGeorgia 1823 80.83%
Pacific Union College Pacific Union CollegeCalifornia 1823 48.46%
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWisconsin 1824 82.38%
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWisconsin 1824 86.32%
Concord University Concord UniversityWest Virginia 1824 91.39%
West Virginia University Institute of Technology West Virginia University Institute of TechnologyWest Virginia 1824 64.58%
Southern Virginia University Southern Virginia UniversityVirginia 1824 99.45%
Hardin-Simmons University Hardin-Simmons UniversityTexas 1824 88.25%
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi Texas A & M University-Corpus ChristiTexas 1824 87.97%
Sam Houston State University Sam Houston State UniversityTexas 1824 84.63%
Stephen F Austin State University Stephen F Austin State UniversityTexas 1824 89.51%
Tarleton State University Tarleton State UniversityTexas 1824 87.06%
Austin Peay State University Austin Peay State UniversityTennessee 1824 93.82%
Lincoln Memorial University Lincoln Memorial UniversityTennessee 1824 78.48%
Tennessee Wesleyan University Tennessee Wesleyan UniversityTennessee 1824 60.74%
Northern State University Northern State UniversitySouth Dakota 1824 78.14%
Black Hills State University Black Hills State UniversitySouth Dakota 1824 96.64%
Dakota Wesleyan University Dakota Wesleyan UniversitySouth Dakota 1824 74.77%
University of South Carolina Aiken University of South Carolina AikenSouth Carolina 1824 75.62%
University of Central Oklahoma University of Central OklahomaOklahoma 1824 69.94%
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma University of Science and Arts of OklahomaOklahoma 1824 56.3%
Capital University Capital UniversityOhio 1824 72.15%
Youngstown State University Youngstown State UniversityOhio 1824 80.6%
Marietta College Marietta CollegeOhio 1824 82.85%
Wingate University Wingate UniversityNorth Carolina 1824 86.15%
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