23 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 23 ACT Score

23 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 23 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 20 to 25. 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 23 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 23 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 23 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 23 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
Dominican University of California Dominican University of CaliforniaCalifornia 2325 93.18%
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York Pennsylvania State University-Penn State YorkPennsylvania 2326 92.87%
Methodist University Methodist UniversityNorth Carolina 2326 75.68%
Randolph-Macon College Randolph-Macon CollegeVirginia 2327 85.45%
Citadel Military College of South Carolina Citadel Military College of South CarolinaSouth Carolina 2327 98.58%
York College of Pennsylvania York College of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania 2327 95.61%
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg University of Pittsburgh-GreensburgPennsylvania 2327 97.6%
St. Joseph's University-New York St. Joseph's University-New YorkNew York 2327 76.71%
The College of Saint Scholastica The College of Saint ScholasticaMinnesota 2327 96.61%
Berea College Berea CollegeKentucky 2327 24.58%
Texas Tech University Texas Tech UniversityTexas 2328 67.34%
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BerksPennsylvania 2328 97.29%
Delaware Valley University Delaware Valley UniversityPennsylvania 2328 95.43%
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisiana 2328 75.72%
Ball State University Ball State UniversityIndiana 2328 68.95%
James Madison University James Madison UniversityVirginia 2329 78.31%
Hampden-Sydney College Hampden-Sydney CollegeVirginia 2329 39.79%
Westminster College Westminster CollegeUtah 2329 69.75%
University of Houston University of HoustonTexas 2329 66.24%
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth Dakota 2329 82.69%
DeSales University DeSales UniversityPennsylvania 2329 77.17%
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusOklahoma 2329 72.92%
Cedarville University Cedarville UniversityOhio 2329 64.88%
High Point University High Point UniversityNorth Carolina 2329 78.88%
St. John Fisher University St. John Fisher UniversityNew York 2329 73.05%
Long Island University Long Island UniversityNew York 2329 92.65%
Truman State University Truman State UniversityMissouri 2329 45.05%
Rockhurst University Rockhurst UniversityMissouri 2329 66.46%
Gordon College Gordon CollegeMassachusetts 2329 91.76%
University of Maryland-Baltimore County University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyMaryland 2329 80.55%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
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FAQ for ACT 23 Score

How does a 23 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 23 ACT score is roughly equivalent to a 1100 SAT. It’s acceptable for many state schools and some private institutions.

What scholarships are available for a 23 ACT score?

You may be eligible for merit-based scholarships at state universities, though higher-tier private schools may offer limited scholarship opportunities.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 23 ACT score?

Ivy League schools generally require scores above 30, so a 23 is below their competitive range. However, this score may be sufficient for applications to other universities.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

If you’re aiming for an Ivy League or top-tier school, retaking the ACT would be beneficial. For other universities, this score is fine.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is 20–21, so a 23 is above average and places you in the top 30–40% of test-takers.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 23 ACT score if submitted?

Yes, submitting a 23 ACT score will strengthen your application, even at test-optional schools.

What GPA is a 23 ACT?

A 23 ACT typically correlates to a GPA in the range of 2.5–2.8, which indicates an average academic performance.

Can I get into NYU with a 23 ACT?

NYU’s average ACT score is closer to 30, so a 23 would be on the lower end for their admissions. However, strong academic performance and extracurriculars could make you competitive.

Is 23 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard typically admits students with scores above 30, so a 23 is below their typical range. Consider retaking if you’re aiming for Ivy League schools.

Can I get into MIT with a 23 ACT?

MIT requires a much higher score, typically around 34 or more. A 23 would not meet MIT’s competitive standards, and retaking is advised if you want to apply.

Can I get into Princeton with a 23 ACT score?

Princeton usually accepts applicants with scores in the 30–36 range, so a 23 would be lower than their average. However, with strong grades and other application components, you may still be competitive for other schools.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 25)?

Improving to 25 would enhance your chances at more competitive schools and possibly open doors for scholarships.

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