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
Pittsburg State University Pittsburg State UniversityKansas 1824 86.18%
Sterling College Sterling CollegeKansas 1824 61.1%
Mount Mercy University Mount Mercy UniversityIowa 1824 75.27%
Upper Iowa University Upper Iowa UniversityIowa 1824 54.23%
Purdue University Northwest Purdue University NorthwestIndiana 1824 72.82%
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne University of Saint Francis-Fort WayneIndiana 1824 98.06%
Trinity International University-Illinois Trinity International University-IllinoisIllinois 1824 91.26%
University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Hawaii at ManoaHawaii 1824 72.77%
Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls CollegeGeorgia 1824 68.01%
Central Connecticut State University Central Connecticut State UniversityConnecticut 1824 76.71%
University of Arkansas at Little Rock University of Arkansas at Little RockArkansas 1824 61.46%
Williams Baptist University Williams Baptist UniversityArkansas 1824 59.31%
Huntingdon College Huntingdon CollegeAlabama 1824 65.95%
Tuskegee University Tuskegee UniversityAlabama 1824 29.69%
University of Wisconsin-River Falls University of Wisconsin-River FallsWisconsin 1825 84.48%
Trevecca Nazarene University Trevecca Nazarene UniversityTennessee 1825 70.87%
Pennsylvania Western University Pennsylvania Western UniversityPennsylvania 1825 93.62%
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- Eberly Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Fayette- EberlyPennsylvania 1825 80.73%
University of Akron Main Campus University of Akron Main CampusOhio 1825 82.87%
Cleveland State University Cleveland State UniversityOhio 1825 85.32%
Kent State University at Kent Kent State University at KentOhio 1825 88.02%
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Mount Vernon Nazarene UniversityOhio 1825 85.33%
Guilford College Guilford CollegeNorth Carolina 1825 83.51%
University of New Mexico-Main Campus University of New Mexico-Main CampusNew Mexico 1825 96.07%
Felician University Felician UniversityNew Jersey 1825 89.15%
Stockton University Stockton UniversityNew Jersey 1825 85.54%
Midland University Midland UniversityNebraska 1825 64.9%
Stephens College Stephens CollegeMissouri 1825 64.15%
Eastern Michigan University Eastern Michigan UniversityMichigan 1825 83.23%
Thomas More University Thomas More UniversityKentucky 1825 94.24%
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