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
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor University of Mary Hardin-BaylorTexas 1927 95.67%
University of North Texas University of North TexasTexas 1927 79.13%
Lee University Lee UniversityTennessee 1927 72.59%
Maryville College Maryville CollegeTennessee 1927 69.5%
Christian Brothers University Christian Brothers UniversityTennessee 1927 87.46%
Dakota State University Dakota State UniversitySouth Dakota 1927 78.91%
Oklahoma Christian University Oklahoma Christian UniversityOklahoma 1927 96.02%
William Peace University William Peace UniversityNorth Carolina 1927 63.18%
Webster University Webster UniversityMissouri 1927 55.1%
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis College of Art and DesignMinnesota 1927 56.89%
Western Michigan University Western Michigan UniversityMichigan 1927 84.55%
University of Louisville University of LouisvilleKentucky 1927 81.54%
Emmaus Bible College Emmaus Bible CollegeIowa 1927 100%
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale Southern Illinois University-CarbondaleIllinois 1927 91.5%
Northwest Nazarene University Northwest Nazarene UniversityIdaho 1927 88.19%
Florida College Florida CollegeFlorida 1927 71.68%
Washington & Jefferson College Washington & Jefferson CollegePennsylvania 1928 88.08%
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownPennsylvania 1928 97.41%
Culver-Stockton College Culver-Stockton CollegeMissouri 1928 96.95%
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford University of Pittsburgh-BradfordPennsylvania 1929 93.55%
State University of New York at Oswego State University of New York at OswegoNew York 1929 82.56%
Western Connecticut State University Western Connecticut State UniversityConnecticut 1929 83.51%
Tennessee Technological University Tennessee Technological UniversityTennessee 1930 78.1%
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham CampusNew Jersey 1930 89.12%
Cardinal Stritch University Cardinal Stritch UniversityWisconsin 1819 92.58%
Defiance College Defiance CollegeOhio 1821 62.86%
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences Aultman College of Nursing and Health SciencesOhio 1822 55.1%
Urshan College Urshan CollegeMissouri 1822 85.29%
Indiana University-South Bend Indiana University-South BendIndiana 1822 86.88%
Fairmont State University Fairmont State UniversityWest Virginia 1823 98.49%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
Page 9 of 17

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