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
Spring Arbor University Spring Arbor UniversityMichigan 2026 47.32%
University of Northern Iowa University of Northern IowaIowa 2026 94.95%
Purdue University Fort Wayne Purdue University Fort WayneIndiana 2026 80.66%
Jacksonville University Jacksonville UniversityFlorida 2026 57.69%
Howard University Howard UniversityDistrict of Columbia 2026 53.43%
University of South Alabama University of South AlabamaAlabama 2026 65.36%
University of Wisconsin-Platteville University of Wisconsin-PlattevilleWisconsin 2027 85.43%
Concordia University-Wisconsin Concordia University-WisconsinWisconsin 2027 70.37%
Carthage College Carthage CollegeWisconsin 2027 81.83%
Seattle Pacific University Seattle Pacific UniversityWashington 2027 90.71%
Utah State University Utah State UniversityUtah 2027 93.73%
Texas Lutheran University Texas Lutheran UniversityTexas 2027 91.83%
Saint Edward's University Saint Edward's UniversityTexas 2027 85.1%
Oklahoma State University-Main Campus Oklahoma State University-Main CampusOklahoma 2027 70.63%
Baldwin Wallace University Baldwin Wallace UniversityOhio 2027 77.04%
Otterbein University Otterbein UniversityOhio 2027 83.68%
University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at CharlotteNorth Carolina 2027 79.64%
Culinary Institute of America Culinary Institute of AmericaNew York 2027 94.86%
Montana State University Montana State UniversityMontana 2027 73.33%
University of Missouri-St Louis University of Missouri-St LouisMissouri 2027 51.11%
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. LouisMissouri 2027 91.58%
University of Southern Mississippi University of Southern MississippiMississippi 2027 98.84%
Martin Luther College Martin Luther CollegeMinnesota 2027 83.72%
College of Saint Benedict College of Saint BenedictMinnesota 2027 87.8%
Siena Heights University Siena Heights UniversityMichigan 2027 64.98%
Saint Ambrose University Saint Ambrose UniversityIowa 2027 73.92%
Elmhurst University Elmhurst UniversityIllinois 2027 76.01%
Millikin University Millikin UniversityIllinois 2027 75.4%
University of Illinois Springfield University of Illinois SpringfieldIllinois 2027 82.03%
University of Idaho University of IdahoIdaho 2027 73.85%
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