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Colleges that accept a 20 ACT

Updated Federal and Common Data Set numbers, each with its year

The short answer

A 20 ACT is in the middle 50% of first-year scores at 365 four-year colleges. The 100 below are the ones where 20 sits closest to the middle of the range, including Grand Canyon University, Georgia Southern University and The University of Texas at El Paso.

Each college reports the ACT scores of the first-year students who sent one: a quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. When 20 falls between the two, it's a typical score there. Many of these colleges are test-optional, so the range describes only the students who chose to send a score.

The list (100 of 365)

Four-year colleges with 500 or more undergraduates where 20 is between the 25th and 75th percentile ACT composite, closest to the middle first, 100 of 365 shown. Score ranges come from IPEDS (fall 2024) for 99 colleges and each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2024) for 1 college.

  1. North Carolina A & T State University ACT 17–23 Greensboro, NC · Admitted 50% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2024
  2. Middle Georgia State University ACT 16–24 Macon, GA · Admitted 99.7% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  3. Purdue University Northwest ACT 16–24 Hammond, IN · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  4. Arkansas Tech University ACT 17–23 Russellville, AR · Admitted 96% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. University of New Orleans ACT 17–23 New Orleans, LA · Admitted 74% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. The University of Texas Permian Basin ACT 17–23 Odessa, TX · Admitted 95% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  7. Eastern New Mexico University ACT 17–23 Portales, NM · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. Culinary Institute of America ACT 17–23 Hyde Park, NY · Admitted 91% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. Francis Marion University ACT 16–24 Florence, SC · Admitted 86% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. Fairmont State University ACT 17–23 Fairmont, WV · Admitted 99% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. Upper Iowa University ACT 17–23 Fayette, IA · Admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. Delta State University ACT 17–23 Cleveland, MS · Admitted 100% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. Midland University ACT 17–23 Fremont, NE · Admitted 66% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  14. University of Virginia's College at Wise ACT 18–22 Wise, VA · Admitted 28% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  15. Dillard University ACT 18–22 New Orleans, LA · Admitted 42% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  16. Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ACT 17–23 Fayette, MO · Admitted 57% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  17. Brenau University ACT 18–22 Gainesville, GA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  18. Bethel University ACT 16–24 Mishawaka, IN · Admitted 98% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  19. MidAmerica Nazarene University ACT 17–23 Olathe, KS · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  20. Rockford University ACT 17–23 Rockford, IL · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  21. Clarke University ACT 16–24 Dubuque, IA · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  22. The Christ College of Nursing and Health Sciences ACT 15–25 Cincinnati, OH · Admitted 59% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  23. Judson University ACT 16–24 Elgin, IL · Admitted 48% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  24. Georgia Southern University ACT 18–23 Statesboro, GA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  25. The University of Texas at El Paso ACT 17–22 El Paso, TX · Admitted 99.9% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  26. Sam Houston State University ACT 17–24 Huntsville, TX · Admitted 90% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  27. New Mexico State University ACT 17–24 Las Cruces, NM · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  28. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ACT 17–24 Whitewater, WI · Admitted 86% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  29. University of West Georgia ACT 17–22 Carrollton, GA · Admitted 52% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  30. Jacksonville State University ACT 17–24 Jacksonville, AL · Admitted 78% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  31. West Texas A&M University ACT 18–23 Canyon, TX · Admitted 99% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  32. North Carolina Central University ACT 19–22 Durham, NC · Admitted 87% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  33. University of Central Missouri ACT 17–24 Warrensburg, MO · Admitted 64% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  34. Louisiana State University at Alexandria ACT 17–22 Alexandria, LA · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  35. University of North Carolina at Pembroke ACT 18–23 Pembroke, NC · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  36. McNeese State University ACT 18–23 Lake Charles, LA · Admitted 78% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  37. University of Arkansas at Little Rock ACT 17–24 Little Rock, AR · Admitted 59% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  38. Northeastern State University ACT 18–23 Tahlequah, OK · Admitted 99.6% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  39. Pittsburg State University ACT 17–24 Pittsburg, KS · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  40. University of Arkansas-Fort Smith ACT 18–23 Fort Smith, AR · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  41. Lander University ACT 16–23 Greenwood, SC · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  42. Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College ACT 17–22 Tifton, GA · Admitted 76% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  43. Missouri Southern State University ACT 17–24 Joplin, MO · Admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  44. College of Coastal Georgia ACT 17–22 Brunswick, GA · Admitted 98% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  45. Houston Christian University ACT 17–24 Houston, TX · Admitted 84% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  46. SUNY College of Technology at Delhi ACT 18–23 Delhi, NY · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  47. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus ACT 17–24 Magnolia, AR · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  48. Gordon State College ACT 15–24 Barnesville, GA · Admitted 86% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  49. East Central University ACT 17–24 Ada, OK · Admitted 58% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  50. Southwest Minnesota State University ACT 16–23 Marshall, MN · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  51. Mississippi University for Women ACT 17–24 Columbus, MS · Admitted 90% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  52. University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne ACT 17–24 Fort Wayne, IN · Admitted 96% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  53. Faulkner University ACT 18–21 Montgomery, AL · Admitted 73% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  54. Concord University ACT 17–24 Athens, WV · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  55. Sul Ross State University ACT 15–24 Alpine, TX · Admitted 99% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  56. Muskingum University ACT 17–22 New Concord, OH · Admitted 82% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  57. Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte ACT 16–23 Charlotte, NC · Admitted 80% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  58. Anderson University ACT 17–24 Anderson, IN · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  59. Bluefield State University ACT 17–22 Bluefield, WV · Admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  60. Wilmington College ACT 16–23 Wilmington, OH · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  61. Valley City State University ACT 17–24 Valley City, ND · Admitted 99.1% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  62. West Virginia Wesleyan College ACT 16–23 Buckhannon, WV · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  63. Marietta College ACT 17–24 Marietta, OH · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  64. University of Saint Mary ACT 17–24 Leavenworth, KS · Admitted 87% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  65. McPherson College ACT 18–23 McPherson, KS · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  66. Kentucky Wesleyan College ACT 16–23 Owensboro, KY · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  67. Baptist Health Sciences University ACT 17–22 Memphis, TN · Admitted 82% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  68. Mount Mary University ACT 18–21 Milwaukee, WI · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  69. Grand Canyon University ACT 20–22 Phoenix, AZ · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  70. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa ACT 17–25 Honolulu, HI · Admitted 88% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  71. University of Memphis ACT 18–24 Memphis, TN · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  72. University of Houston-Downtown ACT 16–22 Houston, TX · Admitted 90% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  73. Wichita State University ACT 17–25 Wichita, KS · Admitted 94% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  74. University of Central Oklahoma ACT 18–24 Edmond, OK · Admitted 78% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  75. East Texas A&M University ACT 18–24 Commerce, TX · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  76. Fort Hays State University ACT 18–24 Hays, KS · Admitted 90% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  77. Southeastern Louisiana University ACT 18–24 Hammond, LA · Admitted 99.3% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  78. Arkansas State University ACT 18–24 Jonesboro, AR · Admitted 82% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  79. University of Akron Main Campus ACT 17–25 Akron, OH · Admitted 60% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  80. Stephen F Austin State University ACT 18–24 Nacogdoches, TX · Admitted 94% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  81. Colorado Mesa University ACT 18–24 Grand Junction, CO · Admitted 82% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  82. Austin Peay State University ACT 18–24 Clarksville, TN · Admitted 96% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  83. Pennsylvania Western University ACT 17–25 California, PA · Admitted 94% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  84. Texas A&M International University ACT 16–22 Laredo, TX · Admitted 44% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  85. Valdosta State University ACT 16–22 Valdosta, GA · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  86. University of Wisconsin-Green Bay ACT 18–24 Green Bay, WI · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  87. Angelo State University ACT 18–24 San Angelo, TX · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  88. Columbus State University ACT 16–22 Columbus, GA · Admitted 99.1% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  89. Northwestern State University of Louisiana ACT 18–24 Natchitoches, LA · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  90. Norfolk State University ACT 16–22 Norfolk, VA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  91. Saint Cloud State University ACT 17–25 Saint Cloud, MN · Admitted 95% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  92. University of Louisiana at Monroe ACT 18–24 Monroe, LA · Admitted 85% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  93. Bemidji State University ACT 18–24 Bemidji, MN · Admitted 56% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  94. Southeastern Oklahoma State University ACT 18–24 Durant, OK · Admitted 76% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  95. Charleston Southern University ACT 18–24 Charleston, SC · Admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  96. University of Wisconsin-Parkside ACT 17–25 Kenosha, WI · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  97. Dominican University ACT 16–26 River Forest, IL · Admitted 90% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  98. Auburn University at Montgomery ACT 18–24 Montgomery, AL · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  99. Georgia Southwestern State University ACT 16–22 Americus, GA · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  100. Emporia State University ACT 18–24 Emporia, KS · Admitted 98% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What colleges accept a 20 ACT score?

A 20 ACT is in the middle 50% of first-year scores at 365 four-year colleges. The 100 below are the ones where 20 sits closest to the middle of the range, including Grand Canyon University, Georgia Southern University and The University of Texas at El Paso. Colleges don't set a minimum score, so a 20 inside a college's middle 50% means it is a typical score among the first-years who sent one.

Which of these colleges admit the most applicants?

Delta State University admitted 100% of fall 2024 applicants, The University of Texas at El Paso admitted 99.9% of fall 2024 applicants and Middle Georgia State University admitted 99.7% of fall 2024 applicants. Among the 100 colleges listed, 77 admitted three in four applicants or more.

Which colleges on this list are hardest to get into?

University of Virginia's College at Wise admitted 28% of fall 2024 applicants, Dillard University admitted 42% of fall 2024 applicants and Texas A&M International University admitted 44% of fall 2024 applicants: the lowest rates on this list.

Numbers change each year when colleges and the Department of Education publish new data. Confirm costs and admission rules with the college before you apply.

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