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
Newberry College Newberry CollegeSouth Carolina 1622 75.31%
East Central University East Central UniversityOklahoma 1622 70.08%
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma 1622 56.42%
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City State UniversityNorth Carolina 1622 74.15%
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteNorth Carolina 1622 73.34%
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusNew Mexico 1622 27.55%
Alice Lloyd College Alice Lloyd CollegeKentucky 1622 98.33%
Spalding University Spalding UniversityKentucky 1622 97.64%
Iowa Wesleyan University Iowa Wesleyan UniversityIowa 1622 80.81%
Dominican University Dominican UniversityIllinois 1622 89.53%
University of Hawaii-West Oahu University of Hawaii-West OahuHawaii 1622 96.37%
Clayton  State University Clayton State UniversityGeorgia 1622 56.32%
Trinity College of Florida Trinity College of FloridaFlorida 1622 59.77%
John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityCalifornia 1622 79.59%
Texas A & M University-Commerce Texas A & M University-CommerceTexas 1623 86.45%
University of the Incarnate Word University of the Incarnate WordTexas 1623 94.2%
University of the Cumberlands University of the CumberlandsKentucky 1623 83.02%
University of Saint Mary University of Saint MaryKansas 1623 81.93%
Columbus State University Columbus State UniversityGeorgia 1623 87.8%
Metropolitan State University of Denver Metropolitan State University of DenverColorado 1623 97.91%
Ottawa University-Surprise Ottawa University-SurpriseArizona 1623 28.66%
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State UniversityAlabama 1623 78.46%
Norfolk State University Norfolk State UniversityVirginia 1520 89.5%
Texas A&M University-San Antonio Texas A&M University-San AntonioTexas 1520 96.09%
Lincoln University Lincoln UniversityPennsylvania 1520 80.61%
Thomas University Thomas UniversityGeorgia 1520 46.09%
Georgia State University-Perimeter College Georgia State University-Perimeter CollegeGeorgia 1520 99.13%
Union College Union CollegeKentucky 1521 53.42%
Alderson Broaddus University Alderson Broaddus UniversityWest Virginia 1522 61.49%
Francis Marion University Francis Marion UniversitySouth Carolina 1522 82.91%
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