A 26 ACT Score is Competitive (74th percentile). You are well above the national average (approx. 19.9). This score is the 'Sweet Spot' for most four-year public universities.
Common Data Set (CDS) Fact: According to Section C8 of the CDS, many institutions in this tier rank standardized tests as 'Considered' rather than 'Very Important.' Your GPA will carry more weight, but your 26 provides the necessary validation of your transcript.
Best Colleges for 26 ACT Score
Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 26 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 |
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Immaculata University | Pennsylvania | 26 | 28 | 78.45% | SOLID MATCH |
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Salisbury University | Maryland | 26 | 28 | 88.63% | SOLID MATCH |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks | Pennsylvania | 26 | 29 | 97.13% | SOLID MATCH |
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Siena College | New York | 26 | 29 | 70.57% | SOLID MATCH |
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Kettering University | Michigan | 26 | 29 | 79.09% | SOLID MATCH |
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Endicott College | Massachusetts | 26 | 29 | 72.29% | SOLID MATCH |
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Salve Regina University | Rhode Island | 26 | 30 | 69.91% | SOLID MATCH |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg | Pennsylvania | 26 | 30 | 96.39% | SOLID MATCH |
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Arcadia University | Pennsylvania | 26 | 30 | 79.19% | SOLID MATCH |
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Rowan University | New Jersey | 26 | 30 | 77.82% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Massachusetts-Lowell | Massachusetts | 26 | 30 | 85.24% | SOLID MATCH |
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Goucher College | Maryland | 26 | 30 | 72.9% | SOLID MATCH |
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Maryland Institute College of Art | Maryland | 26 | 30 | 77.29% | SOLID MATCH |
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Beloit College | Wisconsin | 26 | 31 | 57.36% | SOLID MATCH |
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Marquette University | Wisconsin | 26 | 31 | 87.44% | SOLID MATCH |
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Gonzaga University | Washington | 26 | 31 | 75.96% | SOLID MATCH |
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Patrick Henry College | Virginia | 26 | 31 | 81.98% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas Christian University | Texas | 26 | 31 | 42.6% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Rhode Island | Rhode Island | 26 | 31 | 77.07% | SOLID MATCH |
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Duquesne University | Pennsylvania | 26 | 31 | 78.85% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Dayton | Ohio | 26 | 31 | 61.65% | SOLID MATCH |
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Miami University-Oxford | Ohio | 26 | 31 | 82.09% | SOLID MATCH |
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Clarkson University | New York | 26 | 31 | 77.16% | SOLID MATCH |
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SUNY College at Geneseo | New York | 26 | 31 | 63.53% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of New Hampshire-Main Campus | New Hampshire | 26 | 31 | 86.87% | SOLID MATCH |
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Saint Louis University | Missouri | 26 | 31 | 81.47% | SOLID MATCH |
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Michigan State University | Michigan | 26 | 31 | 83.92% | SOLID MATCH |
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Hope College | Michigan | 26 | 31 | 75.85% | SOLID MATCH |
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Simmons University | Massachusetts | 26 | 31 | 66% | SOLID MATCH |
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Emmanuel College | Massachusetts | 26 | 31 | 80.6% | SOLID MATCH |
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Butler University | Indiana | 26 | 31 | 85.87% | SOLID MATCH |
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DePauw University | Indiana | 26 | 31 | 54.06% | SOLID MATCH |
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DePaul University | Illinois | 26 | 31 | 73.53% | SOLID MATCH |
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Agnes Scott College | Georgia | 26 | 31 | 67.31% | SOLID MATCH |
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Rollins College | Florida | 26 | 31 | 40.56% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of San Francisco | California | 26 | 31 | 50.77% | SOLID MATCH |
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Hendrix College | Arkansas | 26 | 31 | 52.98% | SOLID MATCH |
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Austin College | Texas | 26 | 32 | 46.66% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of South Carolina-Columbia | South Carolina | 26 | 32 | 61.49% | SOLID MATCH |
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Hobart William Smith Colleges | New York | 26 | 32 | 57.28% | SOLID MATCH |
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Pratt Institute-Main | New York | 26 | 32 | 53.17% | SOLID MATCH |
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Gordon College | Massachusetts | 26 | 32 | 58.78% | SOLID MATCH |
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Centre College | Kentucky | 26 | 32 | 54.34% | SOLID MATCH |
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Pepperdine University | California | 26 | 32 | 49.85% | SOLID MATCH |
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United States Air Force Academy | Colorado | 26 | 33 | 13.93% | COMP. MATCH |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington | Pennsylvania | 25 | 27 | 93.31% | SOLID MATCH |
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Saint Anselm College | New Hampshire | 25 | 27 | 78.32% | SOLID MATCH |
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Western New England University | Massachusetts | 25 | 27 | 83.26% | SOLID MATCH |
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James Madison University | Virginia | 25 | 29 | 76.25% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ohio Northern University | Ohio | 25 | 29 | 73.35% | SOLID MATCH |
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Marymount Manhattan College | New York | 25 | 29 | 78.88% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Central Florida | Florida | 25 | 29 | 39.52% | SOLID MATCH |
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Quinnipiac University | Connecticut | 25 | 29 | 77% | SOLID MATCH |
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George Mason University | Virginia | 25 | 30 | 88.83% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Scranton | Pennsylvania | 25 | 30 | 84.35% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Portland | Oregon | 25 | 30 | 95.39% | SOLID MATCH |
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John Carroll University | Ohio | 25 | 30 | 81.1% | SOLID MATCH |
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Warren Wilson College | North Carolina | 25 | 30 | 77.62% | SOLID MATCH |
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Nazareth University | New York | 25 | 30 | 79.5% | SOLID MATCH |
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Long Island University | New York | 25 | 30 | 89.77% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of St Thomas | Minnesota | 25 | 30 | 84.94% | SOLID MATCH |
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Washington College | Maryland | 25 | 30 | 65.54% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ball State University | Indiana | 25 | 30 | 71.6% | SOLID MATCH |
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Saint Mary's College | Indiana | 25 | 30 | 81.11% | SOLID MATCH |
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Valparaiso University | Indiana | 25 | 30 | 92.22% | SOLID MATCH |
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Florida Southern College | Florida | 25 | 30 | 59.07% | SOLID MATCH |
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United States Coast Guard Academy | Delaware | 25 | 30 | 24.32% | COMP. MATCH |
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University of Redlands | California | 25 | 30 | 80.92% | SOLID MATCH |
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Texas A&M University-College Station | Texas | 25 | 31 | 63.25% | SOLID MATCH |
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The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Tennessee | 25 | 31 | 45.99% | SOLID MATCH |
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Allegheny College | Pennsylvania | 25 | 31 | 58.53% | SOLID MATCH |
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Moore College of Art and Design | Pennsylvania | 25 | 31 | 60.51% | SOLID MATCH |
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Ohio Wesleyan University | Ohio | 25 | 31 | 50.67% | SOLID MATCH |
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Le Moyne College | New York | 25 | 31 | 75.29% | SOLID MATCH |
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The College of New Jersey | New Jersey | 25 | 31 | 62.14% | SOLID MATCH |
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Drew University | New Jersey | 25 | 31 | 69.44% | SOLID MATCH |
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Missouri University of Science and Technology | Missouri | 25 | 31 | 73.07% | SOLID MATCH |
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Gustavus Adolphus College | Minnesota | 25 | 31 | 61.8% | SOLID MATCH |
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Michigan Technological University | Michigan | 25 | 31 | 87.94% | SOLID MATCH |
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Wentworth Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | 25 | 31 | 85.37% | SOLID MATCH |
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Northwest Nazarene University | Illinois | 25 | 31 | 62.95% | SOLID MATCH |
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Bradley University | Illinois | 25 | 31 | 76.66% | SOLID MATCH |
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Illinois Institute of Technology | Illinois | 25 | 31 | 55.42% | SOLID MATCH |
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Mercer University | Georgia | 25 | 31 | 66.46% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Alabama in Huntsville | Alabama | 25 | 31 | 74.25% | SOLID MATCH |
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Auburn University | Alabama | 25 | 31 | 50.47% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Dallas | Texas | 25 | 32 | 54.2% | SOLID MATCH |
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The University of Texas at Dallas | Texas | 25 | 32 | 65.46% | SOLID MATCH |
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New Jersey Institute of Technology | New Jersey | 25 | 32 | 66.9% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Illinois Chicago | Illinois | 25 | 32 | 78.5% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Georgia | Georgia | 25 | 32 | 37.2% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Hartford | Connecticut | 25 | 32 | 83.01% | SOLID MATCH |
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New York Institute of Technology | New York | 25 | 33 | 78.08% | SOLID MATCH |
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Thomas Aquinas College | California | 25 | 33 | 78.71% | SOLID MATCH |
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Delaware Valley University | Pennsylvania | 24 | 27 | 92.49% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of North Carolina School of the Arts | North Carolina | 24 | 27 | 33.1% | SOLID MATCH |
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SUNY Polytechnic Institute | New York | 24 | 27 | 78.44% | SOLID MATCH |
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Berea College | Kentucky | 24 | 27 | 32.71% | SOLID MATCH |
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Neumont College of Computer Science | Utah | 24 | 28 | 89.24% | SOLID MATCH |
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Moravian University | Pennsylvania | 24 | 28 | 54% | SOLID MATCH |
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DeSales University | Pennsylvania | 24 | 28 | 78.58% | SOLID MATCH |
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 24 | 28 | 79.2% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Mount Union | Ohio | 24 | 28 | 80.1% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of North Carolina Wilmington | North Carolina | 24 | 28 | 74.01% | SOLID MATCH |
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Monmouth University | New Jersey | 24 | 28 | 89.54% | SOLID MATCH |
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Jacksonville University | Florida | 24 | 28 | 57.29% | SOLID MATCH |
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Northwest University | Washington | 24 | 29 | 88.05% | SOLID MATCH |
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College of Charleston | South Carolina | 24 | 29 | 72% | SOLID MATCH |
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University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Ohio | 24 | 29 | 87.67% | SOLID MATCH |
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Queens University of Charlotte | North Carolina | 24 | 29 | 67.68% | SOLID MATCH |
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St. John Fisher University | New York | 24 | 29 | 67.8% | SOLID MATCH |
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State University of New York at New Paltz | New York | 24 | 29 | 58.7% | SOLID MATCH |
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Pace University | New York | 24 | 29 | 77.14% | SOLID MATCH |
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Molloy University | New York | 24 | 29 | 75.64% | SOLID MATCH |
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St. John's University-New York | New York | 24 | 29 | 79.67% | SOLID MATCH |
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Carroll College | Montana | 24 | 29 | 72.64% | SOLID MATCH |
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Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Louisiana | 24 | 29 | 74% | SOLID MATCH |
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Wabash College | Indiana | 24 | 29 | 62.78% | SOLID MATCH |
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Illinois Wesleyan University | Illinois | 24 | 29 | 45.17% | SOLID MATCH |
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New Saint Andrews College | Idaho | 24 | 29 | 85.71% | SOLID MATCH |
Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 24 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.
Data Methodology & Expert Verification
The admission statuses (Elite Reach, Competitive Match, etc.) displayed on this page are calculated using a proprietary 7-tier multivariate logic. Unlike static lists, our algorithm cross-references the student's score of 26 against:
- 2024-2025 Common Data Set (CDS): Specifically Section C8 (Standardized Testing) and Section C9 (Percentiles).
- IPEDS Analytics: Latest federal reporting on institutional acceptance rates.
- 2026 Trend Analysis: Adjustments for schools that have recently reinstated mandatory testing (e.g., Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard).
Note: Standardized test scores are one component of a holistic application. For 2026, many institutions place "Very Important" weight on the rigors of your secondary school record and GPA.
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.