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
The University of Texas at El Paso The University of Texas at El PasoTexas 1622 99.92%
Bethel University Bethel UniversityTennessee 1622 88.79%
Newberry College Newberry CollegeSouth Carolina 1622 75.31%
East Central University East Central UniversityOklahoma 1622 70.08%
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Northwestern Oklahoma State UniversityOklahoma 1622 56.42%
Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City State UniversityNorth Carolina 1622 74.15%
Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte Johnson & Wales University-CharlotteNorth Carolina 1622 73.34%
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Eastern New Mexico University-Main CampusNew Mexico 1622 27.55%
Alice Lloyd College Alice Lloyd CollegeKentucky 1622 98.33%
Spalding University Spalding UniversityKentucky 1622 97.64%
Iowa Wesleyan University Iowa Wesleyan UniversityIowa 1622 80.81%
Dominican University Dominican UniversityIllinois 1622 89.53%
University of Hawaii-West Oahu University of Hawaii-West OahuHawaii 1622 96.37%
Clayton  State University Clayton State UniversityGeorgia 1622 56.32%
Trinity College of Florida Trinity College of FloridaFlorida 1622 59.77%
John Paul the Great Catholic University John Paul the Great Catholic UniversityCalifornia 1622 79.59%
Texas A & M University-Commerce Texas A & M University-CommerceTexas 1623 86.45%
University of the Incarnate Word University of the Incarnate WordTexas 1623 94.2%
University of the Cumberlands University of the CumberlandsKentucky 1623 83.02%
University of Saint Mary University of Saint MaryKansas 1623 81.93%
Columbus State University Columbus State UniversityGeorgia 1623 87.8%
Metropolitan State University of Denver Metropolitan State University of DenverColorado 1623 97.91%
Ottawa University-Surprise Ottawa University-SurpriseArizona 1623 28.66%
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville State UniversityAlabama 1623 78.46%
Randall University Randall UniversityOklahoma 1624 42.86%
Emporia State University Emporia State UniversityKansas 1624 95.67%
Columbia International University Columbia International UniversitySouth Carolina 1625 48.22%
Kean University Kean UniversityNew Jersey 1625 82.6%
Alderson Broaddus University Alderson Broaddus UniversityWest Virginia 1522 61.49%
Francis Marion University Francis Marion UniversitySouth Carolina 1522 82.91%
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