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
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus University of Cincinnati-Main CampusOhio 2429 86.22%
University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Carolina WilmingtonNorth Carolina 2429 68.83%
Wagner College Wagner CollegeNew York 2429 68.54%
St. John's University-New York St. John's University-New YorkNew York 2429 84.67%
Pace University Pace UniversityNew York 2429 82.93%
University of St Thomas University of St ThomasMinnesota 2429 77%
University of Massachusetts-Boston University of Massachusetts-BostonMassachusetts 2429 80.76%
Western New England University Western New England UniversityMassachusetts 2429 88.01%
Endicott College Endicott CollegeMassachusetts 2429 73.31%
Hanover College Hanover CollegeIndiana 2429 74.11%
Eckerd College Eckerd CollegeFlorida 2429 65.09%
Rollins College Rollins CollegeFlorida 2429 49.99%
University of South Florida University of South FloridaFlorida 2429 43.93%
Quinnipiac University Quinnipiac UniversityConnecticut 2429 83.79%
Seattle University Seattle UniversityWashington 2430 85.15%
Southwestern University Southwestern UniversityTexas 2430 44.79%
Austin College Austin CollegeTexas 2430 54.37%
Belmont University Belmont UniversityTennessee 2430 96.27%
College of Charleston College of CharlestonSouth Carolina 2430 75.69%
University of Oregon University of OregonOregon 2430 86.29%
University of Dayton University of DaytonOhio 2430 74.05%
The College of New Jersey The College of New JerseyNew Jersey 2430 64.43%
Kettering University Kettering UniversityMichigan 2430 80.75%
Suffolk University Suffolk UniversityMassachusetts 2430 86.79%
Butler University Butler UniversityIndiana 2430 82.06%
Bradley University Bradley UniversityIllinois 2430 75.14%
DePaul University DePaul UniversityIllinois 2430 70.17%
University of Illinois Chicago University of Illinois ChicagoIllinois 2430 78.69%
Whittier College Whittier CollegeCalifornia 2430 75.45%
Auburn University Auburn UniversityAlabama 2430 43.74%
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