23 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 23 ACT Score

A 23 ACT Score is Average. You are in the 60th percentile. While this meets the requirements for most regional colleges, it will be a 'Reach' for selective state flagships.

2026 Expert Guidance: For the 2026 cycle, 'average' is the new 'minimum.' To compensate for a 23, you must demonstrate strong leadership or a high-ranking class position.

Best Colleges for 23 ACT Score

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

Logo	College	State	ACT 25th Percentile	ACT 75th Percentile	Acceptance Rate	Status
Logo	College	State	ACT 25th Percentile	ACT 75th Percentile	Acceptance Rate	Status
	Methodist University	North Carolina	23	25	75.2%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Southern Maine	Maine	23	26	79.31%	SOLID MATCH
	Chatham University	Pennsylvania	23	27	70.11%	SOLID MATCH
	Cairn University-Langhorne	Pennsylvania	23	27	83.56%	SOLID MATCH
	Niagara University	New York	23	27	85.34%	SOLID MATCH
	State University of New York at Oswego	New York	23	27	80.39%	SOLID MATCH
	Wagner College	New York	23	27	83.46%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Louisiana at Lafayette	Louisiana	23	27	88.83%	SOLID MATCH
	Goshen College	Indiana	23	27	88.94%	SOLID MATCH
	North Central College	Illinois	23	27	58.31%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Houston	Texas	23	28	69.53%	SOLID MATCH
	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College	Pennsylvania	23	28	95.71%	SOLID MATCH
	Otterbein University	Ohio	23	28	83.3%	SOLID MATCH
	Elon University	North Carolina	23	28	67.31%	SOLID MATCH
	SUNY Oneonta	New York	23	28	70.15%	SOLID MATCH
	Houghton University	New York	23	28	92.7%	SOLID MATCH
	The University of Montana	Montana	23	28	95.6%	SOLID MATCH
	Drury University	Missouri	23	28	58.87%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Minnesota-Duluth	Minnesota	23	28	81.75%	SOLID MATCH
	Elmhurst University	Illinois	23	28	75.74%	SOLID MATCH
	Trinity Christian College	Illinois	23	28	88.65%	SOLID MATCH
	Florida Institute of Technology	Florida	23	28	62.53%	SOLID MATCH
	Western Washington University	Washington	23	29	91.31%	SOLID MATCH
	Hollins University	Virginia	23	29	70.86%	SOLID MATCH
	Christopher Newport University	Virginia	23	29	87.96%	SOLID MATCH
	Westminster University	Utah	23	29	68.83%	SOLID MATCH
	South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	South Dakota	23	29	85.25%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus	Oklahoma	23	29	76.54%	SOLID MATCH
	Franciscan University of Steubenville	Ohio	23	29	72.23%	SOLID MATCH
	Cedarville University	Ohio	23	29	62.82%	SOLID MATCH
	United States Merchant Marine Academy	New York	23	29	32.47%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Missouri-Columbia	Missouri	23	29	77.02%	SOLID MATCH
	Truman State University	Missouri	23	29	79.96%	SOLID MATCH
	Bethel University	Minnesota	23	29	90.99%	SOLID MATCH
	Berry College	Georgia	23	29	61.85%	SOLID MATCH
	Stetson University	Florida	23	29	86.43%	SOLID MATCH
	California Lutheran University	California	23	29	88.88%	SOLID MATCH
	Samford University	Alabama	23	29	82.23%	SOLID MATCH
	Seattle University	Washington	23	30	76.05%	SOLID MATCH
	LeTourneau University	Texas	23	30	40.68%	SOLID MATCH
	Belmont University	Tennessee	23	30	96.36%	SOLID MATCH
	Lycoming College	Pennsylvania	23	30	67.88%	SOLID MATCH
	Meredith College	North Carolina	23	30	74.66%	SOLID MATCH
	St Bonaventure University	New York	23	30	81.53%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Michigan-Dearborn	Michigan	23	30	58.63%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Maryland-Baltimore County	Maryland	23	30	74.24%	SOLID MATCH
	Maine Maritime Academy	Maine	23	30	61.4%	SOLID MATCH
	Cornell College	Iowa	23	30	80.66%	SOLID MATCH
	Earlham College	Indiana	23	30	74.22%	SOLID MATCH
	Taylor University	Indiana	23	30	76.11%	SOLID MATCH
	Covenant College	Georgia	23	30	81.76%	SOLID MATCH
	Oglethorpe University	Georgia	23	30	60.06%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Mary Washington	Virginia	23	31	86.26%	SOLID MATCH
	Grove City College	Pennsylvania	23	31	73.4%	SOLID MATCH
	High Point University	North Carolina	23	31	76.83%	SOLID MATCH
	Holy Cross College	Indiana	23	31	73.71%	SOLID MATCH
	University of the Pacific	California	23	31	94.86%	SOLID MATCH
	MCPHS University	Massachusetts	23	33	85.21%	SOLID MATCH
	Longwood University	Virginia	22	25	84.8%	SOLID MATCH
	Minnesota State University-Mankato	Minnesota	22	25	91.33%	SOLID MATCH
	The Evergreen State College	Washington	22	26	97.23%	SOLID MATCH
	Citadel Military College of South Carolina	South Carolina	22	26	98.09%	SOLID MATCH
	Oregon Institute of Technology	Oregon	22	26	91.67%	SOLID MATCH
	Cleveland Institute of Art	Ohio	22	26	56.28%	SOLID MATCH
	SUNY Maritime College	New York	22	26	78.51%	SOLID MATCH
	Lewis University	Illinois	22	26	72.73%	SOLID MATCH
	Delaware State University	Delaware	22	26	61.67%	SOLID MATCH
	Viterbo University	Wisconsin	22	27	73.27%	SOLID MATCH
	Old Dominion University	Virginia	22	27	90.52%	SOLID MATCH
	Presbyterian College	South Carolina	22	27	72.34%	SOLID MATCH
	Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona	Pennsylvania	22	27	97.31%	SOLID MATCH
	Oral Roberts University	Oklahoma	22	27	98.6%	SOLID MATCH
	University of North Carolina at Greensboro	North Carolina	22	27	89.83%	SOLID MATCH
	William Peace University	North Carolina	22	27	97.36%	SOLID MATCH
	Nebraska Wesleyan University	Nebraska	22	27	83.75%	SOLID MATCH
	Rockhurst University	Missouri	22	27	69.05%	SOLID MATCH
	Martin Luther College	Minnesota	22	27	82.57%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Minnesota-Rochester	Minnesota	22	27	71.83%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth	Massachusetts	22	27	92.16%	SOLID MATCH
	Illinois State University	Illinois	22	27	89.01%	SOLID MATCH
	Lynn University	Florida	22	27	73.95%	SOLID MATCH
	Wisconsin Lutheran College	Wisconsin	22	28	79.05%	SOLID MATCH
	Carroll University	Wisconsin	22	28	58.41%	SOLID MATCH
	Virginia Military Institute	Virginia	22	28	81.73%	SOLID MATCH
	Abilene Christian University	Texas	22	28	63.88%	SOLID MATCH
	Texas Tech University	Texas	22	28	70.89%	SOLID MATCH
	University of St Thomas	Texas	22	28	93.34%	SOLID MATCH
	Texas Lutheran University	Texas	22	28	94.79%	SOLID MATCH
	North Greenville University	South Carolina	22	28	62.78%	SOLID MATCH
	Anderson University	South Carolina	22	28	52.81%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg	Pennsylvania	22	28	97.92%	SOLID MATCH
	York College of Pennsylvania	Pennsylvania	22	28	94.2%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Toledo	Ohio	22	28	94.83%	SOLID MATCH
	Ohio University-Main Campus	Ohio	22	28	84.76%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Nebraska-Lincoln	Nebraska	22	28	77.07%	SOLID MATCH
	Saint Johns University	Minnesota	22	28	90.48%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Detroit Mercy	Michigan	22	28	80.14%	SOLID MATCH
	Bellarmine University	Kentucky	22	28	93.59%	SOLID MATCH
	Coe College	Iowa	22	28	70.67%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Iowa	Iowa	22	28	84.67%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Southern Indiana	Indiana	22	28	94.65%	SOLID MATCH
	Howard University	District of Columbia	22	28	34.89%	SOLID MATCH
	Saint Norbert College	Wisconsin	22	29	92.15%	SOLID MATCH
	Concordia University-Wisconsin	Wisconsin	22	29	67.53%	SOLID MATCH
	Randolph-Macon College	Virginia	22	29	83.4%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Utah	Utah	22	29	87.17%	SOLID MATCH
	Union University	Tennessee	22	29	47.18%	SOLID MATCH
	Lipscomb University	Tennessee	22	29	66.64%	SOLID MATCH
	Juniata College	Pennsylvania	22	29	71.65%	SOLID MATCH
	Xavier University	Ohio	22	29	87.73%	SOLID MATCH
	University of North Carolina Asheville	North Carolina	22	29	93.89%	SOLID MATCH
	Rider University	New Jersey	22	29	79.4%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Northwestern-St Paul	Minnesota	22	29	91.88%	SOLID MATCH
	Benedictine College	Kansas	22	29	76.45%	SOLID MATCH
	Luther College	Iowa	22	29	73.27%	SOLID MATCH
	Virginia Commonwealth University	Virginia	22	30	93.06%	SOLID MATCH
	Roanoke College	Virginia	22	30	80.07%	SOLID MATCH
	Saint Michael's College	Vermont	22	30	91.85%	SOLID MATCH
	Messiah University	Pennsylvania	22	30	78.48%	SOLID MATCH
	University of Oregon	Oregon	22	30	85.11%	SOLID MATCH

Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 21 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.

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