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
Coastal Carolina University Coastal Carolina UniversitySouth Carolina 2025 78.63%
University of South Carolina-Upstate University of South Carolina-UpstateSouth Carolina 2025 78.58%
Lancaster Bible College Lancaster Bible CollegePennsylvania 2025 97.15%
Lycoming College Lycoming CollegePennsylvania 2025 75.22%
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green State University-Main CampusOhio 2025 78.66%
Gardner-Webb University Gardner-Webb UniversityNorth Carolina 2025 74.95%
College of the Ozarks College of the OzarksMissouri 2025 21.13%
Bethany Lutheran College Bethany Lutheran CollegeMinnesota 2025 58.5%
Saginaw Valley State University Saginaw Valley State UniversityMichigan 2025 76.37%
University of Louisiana at Monroe University of Louisiana at MonroeLouisiana 2025 70.11%
Xavier University of Louisiana Xavier University of LouisianaLouisiana 2025 95.16%
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary The Southern Baptist Theological SeminaryKentucky 2025 87.23%
Indiana University-Northwest Indiana University-NorthwestIndiana 2025 80.31%
Indiana University-Southeast Indiana University-SoutheastIndiana 2025 85.23%
Florida Atlantic University Florida Atlantic UniversityFlorida 2025 81.32%
Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Gulf Coast UniversityFlorida 2025 74.39%
West Virginia University West Virginia UniversityWest Virginia 2026 88.38%
Longwood University Longwood UniversityVirginia 2026 87.79%
The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga The University of Tennessee-ChattanoogaTennessee 2026 82.65%
La Roche University La Roche UniversityPennsylvania 2026 97.36%
Saint Francis University Saint Francis UniversityPennsylvania 2026 73.05%
Pacific University Pacific UniversityOregon 2026 92.28%
Walsh University Walsh UniversityOhio 2026 72.51%
Ashland University Ashland UniversityOhio 2026 71.76%
Lake Erie College Lake Erie CollegeOhio 2026 54.1%
Caldwell University Caldwell UniversityNew Jersey 2026 66.37%
Missouri State University-Springfield Missouri State University-SpringfieldMissouri 2026 92.56%
William Jewell College William Jewell CollegeMissouri 2026 40.99%
Missouri Baptist University Missouri Baptist UniversityMissouri 2026 70.9%
Hamline University Hamline UniversityMinnesota 2026 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