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
Bluefield State University Bluefield State UniversityWest Virginia 1722 97.17%
West Virginia State University West Virginia State UniversityWest Virginia 1722 96.18%
Southwestern Assemblies of God University Southwestern Assemblies of God UniversityTexas 1722 85.65%
Tusculum University Tusculum UniversityTennessee 1722 81.08%
Oklahoma Wesleyan University Oklahoma Wesleyan UniversityOklahoma 1722 52.13%
University of Akron Wayne College University of Akron Wayne CollegeOhio 1722 82.92%
The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences The Christ College of Nursing and Health SciencesOhio 1722 71.05%
Muskingum University Muskingum UniversityOhio 1722 86.39%
Minot State University Minot State UniversityNorth Dakota 1722 93.17%
University of Providence University of ProvidenceMontana 1722 95.48%
Dunwoody College of Technology Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinnesota 1722 98.04%
Louisiana State University-Alexandria Louisiana State University-AlexandriaLouisiana 1722 57.67%
Southwestern College Southwestern CollegeKansas 1722 70.16%
University of West Georgia University of West GeorgiaGeorgia 1722 80.12%
University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton University of Arkansas Community College-MorriltonArkansas 1722 100%
Mount Mary University Mount Mary UniversityWisconsin 1723 69.45%
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh University of Wisconsin-OshkoshWisconsin 1723 88.52%
University of Wisconsin-Superior University of Wisconsin-SuperiorWisconsin 1723 95.6%
Texas Woman's University Texas Woman's UniversityTexas 1723 93.63%
Erskine College Erskine CollegeSouth Carolina 1723 53.25%
Northeastern State University Northeastern State UniversityOklahoma 1723 99.46%
Southwestern Oklahoma State University Southwestern Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma 1723 76.78%
Valley City State University Valley City State UniversityNorth Dakota 1723 83.45%
North Carolina A & T State University North Carolina A & T State UniversityNorth Carolina 1723 56.39%
New Mexico State University-Main Campus New Mexico State University-Main CampusNew Mexico 1723 78.05%
Mississippi University for Women Mississippi University for WomenMississippi 1723 99.11%
Southwest Minnesota State University Southwest Minnesota State UniversityMinnesota 1723 91.59%
Northwood University Northwood UniversityMichigan 1723 79.68%
Maryland Institute College of Art Maryland Institute College of ArtMaryland 1723 79.58%
Kentucky Wesleyan College Kentucky Wesleyan CollegeKentucky 1723 68.55%
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