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
United States Merchant Marine Academy United States Merchant Marine AcademyNew York 2028 27.35%
Bethel University Bethel UniversityMinnesota 2028 72.49%
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah College of Art and DesignGeorgia 2028 81.73%
Harding University Harding UniversityArkansas 2028 45.12%
LeTourneau University LeTourneau UniversityTexas 2029 48.83%
William Carey University William Carey UniversityMississippi 2029 53.58%
Andrews University Andrews UniversityMichigan 2029 91.27%
Trinity Christian College Trinity Christian CollegeIllinois 2029 70.68%
Howard Payne University Howard Payne UniversityTexas 1922 62.29%
Presentation College Presentation CollegeSouth Dakota 1922 75.58%
Franklin Pierce University Franklin Pierce UniversityNew Hampshire 1922 92.72%
Radford University Radford UniversityVirginia 1923 93.34%
University of Houston-Clear Lake University of Houston-Clear LakeTexas 1923 69.37%
The University of Tennessee Southern The University of Tennessee SouthernTennessee 1923 80.26%
John A Gupton College John A Gupton CollegeTennessee 1923 60.87%
Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan UniversitySouth Carolina 1923 51.18%
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Southeastern Baptist Theological SeminaryNorth Carolina 1923 80%
Kentucky Mountain Bible College Kentucky Mountain Bible CollegeKentucky 1923 45%
North Park University North Park UniversityIllinois 1923 68.01%
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical UniversityFlorida 1923 32.93%
Shepherd University Shepherd UniversityWest Virginia 1924 95.86%
Saint Martin's University Saint Martin's UniversityWashington 1924 95.04%
Lubbock Christian University Lubbock Christian UniversityTexas 1924 81.59%
The University of Texas at Tyler The University of Texas at TylerTexas 1924 93.87%
Johnson University Johnson UniversityTennessee 1924 63.21%
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania 1924 93.63%
Farmingdale State College Farmingdale State CollegeNew York 1924 73.17%
Louisiana State University-Shreveport Louisiana State University-ShreveportLouisiana 1924 88.91%
Nicholls State University Nicholls State UniversityLouisiana 1924 98.43%
Bethel College-North Newton Bethel College-North NewtonKansas 1924 97.15%
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