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
College of the Ozarks College of the OzarksMissouri 2025 21.13%
Bethany Lutheran College Bethany Lutheran CollegeMinnesota 2025 58.5%
Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw Valley State UniversityMichigan 2025 76.37%
University of Louisiana at Monroe University of Louisiana at MonroeLouisiana 2025 70.11%
Xavier University of Louisiana Xavier University of LouisianaLouisiana 2025 95.16%
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryKentucky 2025 87.23%
Indiana University-Northwest Indiana University-NorthwestIndiana 2025 80.31%
Indiana University-Southeast Indiana University-SoutheastIndiana 2025 85.23%
Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida 2025 81.32%
Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida 2025 74.39%
West Virginia University West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia 2026 88.38%
Longwood University Longwood UniversityVirginia 2026 87.79%
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaTennessee 2026 82.65%
La Roche University La Roche UniversityPennsylvania 2026 97.36%
Saint Francis University Saint Francis UniversityPennsylvania 2026 73.05%
Pacific University Pacific UniversityOregon 2026 92.28%
Lake Erie College Lake Erie CollegeOhio 2026 54.1%
Walsh University Walsh UniversityOhio 2026 72.51%
Ashland University Ashland UniversityOhio 2026 71.76%
Caldwell University Caldwell UniversityNew Jersey 2026 66.37%
William Jewell College William Jewell CollegeMissouri 2026 40.99%
Missouri Baptist University Missouri Baptist UniversityMissouri 2026 70.9%
Missouri State University-Springfield Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouri 2026 92.56%
Hamline University Hamline UniversityMinnesota 2026 80.55%
Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor UniversityMichigan 2026 47.32%
University of Northern Iowa University of Northern IowaIowa 2026 94.95%
Purdue University Fort Wayne Purdue University Fort WayneIndiana 2026 80.66%
Jacksonville University Jacksonville UniversityFlorida 2026 57.69%
Howard University Howard UniversityDistrict of Columbia 2026 53.43%
University of South Alabama University of South AlabamaAlabama 2026 65.36%
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