26 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 26 ACT Score

26 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 26 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 23 to 28. 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 26 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 26 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 26 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 26 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
Hastings College Hastings CollegeNebraska 2627 71.33%
Drew University Drew UniversityNew Jersey 2628 72.66%
Juniata College Juniata CollegePennsylvania 2630 76.16%
Miami University-Oxford Miami University-OxfordOhio 2630 87.92%
Marist College Marist CollegeNew York 2630 62.85%
Saint Anselm College Saint Anselm CollegeNew Hampshire 2630 82.3%
California Lutheran University California Lutheran UniversityCalifornia 2630 87.18%
Marquette University Marquette UniversityWisconsin 2631 87.21%
Beloit College Beloit CollegeWisconsin 2631 65.86%
DigiPen Institute of Technology DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWashington 2631 66.37%
Gonzaga University Gonzaga UniversityWashington 2631 69.74%
Texas Christian University Texas Christian UniversityTexas 2631 56.1%
Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's UniversityPennsylvania 2631 88.68%
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPennsylvania 2631 55.21%
Le Moyne College Le Moyne CollegeNew York 2631 78.28%
Pratt Institute-Main Pratt Institute-MainNew York 2631 50.45%
Hofstra University Hofstra UniversityNew York 2631 69.33%
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNew Hampshire 2631 86.99%
Saint Louis University Saint Louis UniversityMissouri 2631 84.71%
Springfield College Springfield CollegeMassachusetts 2631 75.63%
Lake Forest College Lake Forest CollegeIllinois 2631 59.72%
Mercer University Mercer UniversityGeorgia 2631 74.68%
Florida State University Florida State UniversityFlorida 2631 25.04%
University of Delaware University of DelawareDelaware 2631 73.81%
United States Coast Guard Academy United States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticut 2631 23.86%
Chapman University Chapman UniversityCalifornia 2631 72.52%
University of Wisconsin-Madison University of Wisconsin-MadisonWisconsin 2632 49.06%
Kalamazoo College Kalamazoo CollegeMichigan 2632 79.25%
Saint Mary's College Saint Mary's CollegeIndiana 2632 83.89%
University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado BoulderColorado 2632 80.73%
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance Rate
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FAQ for ACT 26 Score

How does a 26 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 26 ACT is roughly equivalent to a 1250 SAT. It’s a decent score for mid-tier schools.

What scholarships are available for a 26 ACT score?

Many schools offer merit scholarships for scores in this range. You may qualify for partial merit-based scholarships.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 26 ACT score?

Ivy League schools typically require scores above 30, but a 26 will still keep you competitive for state schools or mid-tier colleges.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

If your target is an Ivy League or a highly selective university, retaking could help. Otherwise, this score is solid for many colleges.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is around 20–21, so a 26 places you above average and in the top 25% of test-takers.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 26 ACT score if submitted?

Yes, submitting a 26 ACT will help strengthen your application even at test-optional schools.

What GPA is a 26 ACT?

A 26 ACT typically aligns with a GPA of around 2.9–3.2, suggesting a good but not exceptional academic record.

Can I get into NYU with a 26 ACT?

NYU generally prefers higher scores, but a 26 could still make you a competitive candidate if you have strong extracurriculars and a good GPA.

Is 26 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard typically admits students with scores above 30, so a 26 is lower than their average. However, with exceptional academic achievements, you could still be considered.

Can I get into MIT with a 26 ACT?

MIT requires scores above 30, so a 26 would fall short. Consider retaking if MIT is your top choice.

Can I get into Princeton with a 26 ACT score?

Princeton usually expects scores above 30, but a 26 may still keep you competitive for many other universities.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 28)?

Improving to a 28 would make you more competitive for better-ranked colleges and increase your chances 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