21 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 21 ACT Score

21 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 21 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 18 to 23. 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 21 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 21 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 21 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 21 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
West Virginia Wesleyan College West Virginia Wesleyan CollegeWest Virginia 1823 96.35%
West Texas A & M University West Texas A & M UniversityTexas 1823 91.63%
Mount Marty University Mount Marty UniversitySouth Dakota 1823 68.39%
Charleston Southern University Charleston Southern UniversitySouth Carolina 1823 86.75%
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Southeastern Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma 1823 74.21%
Kettering College Kettering CollegeOhio 1823 34.41%
Malone University Malone UniversityOhio 1823 77.56%
Brevard College Brevard CollegeNorth Carolina 1823 39.89%
SUNY at Fredonia SUNY at FredoniaNew York 1823 84.58%
Avila University Avila UniversityMissouri 1823 67.63%
Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and SciencesMissouri 1823 97.86%
Logan University Logan UniversityMissouri 1823 81.82%
Bemidji State University Bemidji State UniversityMinnesota 1823 77.52%
Minnesota State University-Mankato Minnesota State University-MankatoMinnesota 1823 70.68%
Ferris State University Ferris State UniversityMichigan 1823 87.88%
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%
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%
Tarleton State University Tarleton State UniversityTexas 1824 87.06%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
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FAQ for ACT 21 Score

How does a 21 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 21 ACT score is roughly equivalent to a 1000 SAT. This is generally considered a low-average score for many universities.

What scholarships are available for a 21 ACT score?

A 21 ACT score may make you eligible for some scholarships at state universities, but top-tier scholarships will likely be out of reach.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 21 ACT score?

Ivy League schools typically require scores above 30, so a 21 would not be competitive for those schools. You may want to look at less competitive options.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

Yes, if you want to apply to Ivy League or selective schools, retaking is advisable. For many other colleges, a 21 is still acceptable.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is 20–21, so a 21 is slightly above average but not enough for top-tier schools.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 21 ACT score if submitted?

Yes, submitting a 21 ACT score will still be considered at test-optional colleges, but you should focus on strengthening other parts of your application.

What GPA is a 21 ACT?

A 21 ACT usually corresponds to a GPA between 2.0 and 2.4, which suggests an average academic standing.

Can I get into NYU with a 21 ACT?

NYU’s average ACT is much higher than 21, so a 21 would not be competitive. Consider retaking or applying to less selective schools.

Is 21 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard’s average ACT is much higher than a 21, so it is not considered competitive. Retaking and aiming for a higher score would improve your chances.

Can I get into MIT with a 21 ACT?

MIT’s average score is 34, so a 21 would not meet their standards. Retaking the test is necessary if you wish to apply to MIT.

Can I get into Princeton with a 21 ACT score?

Princeton expects scores above 30, so a 21 is significantly below their typical range. You may want to retake the test to increase your chances.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 23)?

Improving to 23 would make you more competitive for state universities and increase your scholarship opportunities.

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