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Colleges that accept a 28 ACT

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

The short answer

A 28 ACT is in the middle 50% of first-year scores at 346 four-year colleges. The 100 below are the ones where 28 sits closest to the middle of the range, including Texas A&M, University of Central Florida and Michigan State.

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 28 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 346)

Four-year colleges with 500 or more undergraduates where 28 is between the 25th and 75th percentile ACT composite, closest to the middle first, 100 of 346 shown. Score ranges come from IPEDS (fall 2024) for 77 colleges, each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2025) for 19 colleges and each college's own Common Data Set (fall 2024) for 4 colleges.

  1. Texas A&M University ACT 24–32 College Station, TX · Admitted 52% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  2. Michigan State University ACT 25–31 East Lansing, MI · Admitted 83% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  3. University of Illinois Chicago ACT 25–31 Chicago, IL · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  4. The University of Texas at Dallas ACT 24–32 Richardson, TX · Admitted 65% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  5. DePaul University ACT 25–31 Chicago, IL · Admitted 76% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  6. University of New Hampshire ACT 26–30 Durham, NH · Admitted 89% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  7. University of Dayton ACT 25–31 Dayton, OH · Admitted 65% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  8. Saint Louis University ACT 25–31 Saint Louis, MO · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  9. Michigan Technological University ACT 25–31 Houghton, MI · Admitted 92% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  10. Missouri University of Science and Technology ACT 25–31 Rolla, MO · Admitted 73% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  11. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth ACT 26–30 North Dartmouth, MA · Admitted 91% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  12. Mercer University ACT 25–31 Macon, GA · Admitted 69% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  13. United States Naval Academy ACT 25–31 Annapolis, MD · Admitted 9.3% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) SAT or ACT required for fall 2027 Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  14. Touro University ACT 24–32 New York, NY · Admitted 61% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  15. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ACT 26–30 Boston, MA · Admitted 85% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  16. New York Institute of Technology ACT 24–32 Old Westbury, NY · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  17. Hope College ACT 25–31 Holland, MI · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  18. Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College ACT 25–31 Erie, PA · Admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  19. University of Portland ACT 25–31 Portland, OR · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  20. Rollins College ACT 26–30 Winter Park, FL · Admitted 53% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  21. Truman State University ACT 25–31 Kirksville, MO · Admitted 84% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  22. Springfield College ACT 27–29 Springfield, MA · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  23. Saint Mary's College ACT 26–30 Notre Dame, IN · Admitted 76% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  24. Gordon College ACT 25–31 Wenham, MA · Admitted 69% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  25. Kettering University ACT 26–30 Flint, MI · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  26. DigiPen Institute of Technology ACT 27–29 Redmond, WA · Admitted 64% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  27. Hastings College ACT 26–30 Hastings, NE · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  28. Agnes Scott College ACT 25–31 Decatur, GA · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  29. University of Central Florida ACT 25–30 Orlando, FL · Admitted 43% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  30. Oregon State University ACT 24–31 Corvallis, OR · Admitted 79% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  31. University of Tennessee ACT 26–31 Knoxville, TN · Admitted 44% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) SAT or ACT required for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  32. George Mason University ACT 25–30 Fairfax, VA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  33. Auburn University ACT 26–31 Auburn, AL · Admitted 47% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) SAT or ACT required for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  34. Miami University-Oxford ACT 25–30 Oxford, OH · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2024
  35. Western Washington University ACT 24–31 Bellingham, WA · Admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  36. University of Massachusetts-Lowell ACT 25–32 Lowell, MA · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  37. Texas Christian University ACT 26–31 Fort Worth, TX · Admitted 48% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  38. University of Maryland-Baltimore County ACT 26–31 Baltimore, MD · Admitted 74% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  39. College of Charleston ACT 25–30 Charleston, SC · Admitted 60% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2024
  40. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ACT 23–32 Denver, CO · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  41. Bridgewater State University ACT 25–30 Bridgewater, MA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  42. Marquette University ACT 26–31 Milwaukee, WI · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  43. The College of New Jersey ACT 26–31 Ewing, NJ · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  44. University of Alabama in Huntsville ACT 24–31 Huntsville, AL · Admitted 69% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  45. Quinnipiac University ACT 25–30 Hamden, CT · Admitted 72% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  46. University of St Thomas ACT 25–30 Saint Paul, MN · Admitted 85% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  47. University of San Francisco ACT 25–30 San Francisco, CA · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  48. High Point University ACT 24–33 High Point, NC · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  49. SUNY Oneonta ACT 25–30 Oneonta, NY · Admitted 70% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  50. Christopher Newport University ACT 25–30 Newport News, VA · Admitted 86% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  51. Creighton University ACT 26–31 Omaha, NE · Admitted 80% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  52. Butler University ACT 26–31 Indianapolis, IN · Admitted 82% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  53. Ithaca College ACT 27–30 Ithaca, NY · Admitted 69% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  54. Pratt Institute-Main ACT 26–31 Brooklyn, NY · Admitted 73% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  55. Bucknell University ACT 25–32 Lewisburg, PA · Admitted 32% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  56. SUNY College at Geneseo ACT 26–31 Geneseo, NY · Admitted 66% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  57. Thomas Jefferson University ACT 25–30 Philadelphia, PA · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  58. University of Scranton ACT 25–30 Scranton, PA · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  59. University of the Pacific ACT 23–32 Stockton, CA · Admitted 71% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  60. SUNY at Purchase College ACT 27–30 Purchase, NY · Admitted 74% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  61. Bryant University ACT 27–28 Smithfield, RI · Admitted 66% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  62. Point Loma Nazarene University ACT 25–32 San Diego, CA · Admitted 84% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  63. Endicott College ACT 25–30 Beverly, MA · Admitted 71% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  64. Azusa Pacific University ACT 25–30 Azusa, CA · Admitted 88% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  65. Champlain College ACT 26–29 Burlington, VT · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  66. Florida Southern College ACT 25–30 Lakeland, FL · Admitted 64% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  67. Le Moyne College ACT 25–30 Syracuse, NY · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  68. University of Connecticut-Stamford ACT 25–32 Stamford, CT · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  69. California Lutheran University ACT 24–31 Thousand Oaks, CA · Admitted 76% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  70. John Carroll University ACT 25–32 University Heights, OH · Admitted 81% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  71. Messiah University ACT 26–31 Mechanicsburg, PA · Admitted 79% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  72. Clarkson University ACT 25–32 Potsdam, NY · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  73. DeSales University ACT 27–28 Center Valley, PA · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  74. Salve Regina University ACT 26–29 Newport, RI · Admitted 68% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  75. Taylor University ACT 24–31 Upland, IN · Admitted 74% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  76. Nazareth University ACT 23–32 Rochester, NY · Admitted 75% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  77. Elizabethtown College ACT 26–31 Elizabethtown, PA · Admitted 78% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  78. Lake Forest College ACT 27–30 Lake Forest, IL · Admitted 54% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  79. Roanoke College ACT 24–31 Salem, VA · Admitted 83% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  80. St. Mary's College of Maryland ACT 26–31 St. Mary's City, MD · Admitted 69% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  81. Illinois Wesleyan University ACT 25–30 Bloomington, IL · Admitted 39% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  82. Virginia Military Institute ACT 24–31 Lexington, VA · Admitted 71% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  83. Centre College ACT 26–31 Danville, KY · Admitted 48% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  84. Lawrence University ACT 24–31 Appleton, WI · Admitted 64% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2024
  85. Westmont College ACT 25–32 Santa Barbara, CA · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  86. Allegheny College ACT 25–30 Meadville, PA · Admitted 59% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  87. Saint Michael's College ACT 26–31 Colchester, VT · Admitted 85% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  88. Houghton University ACT 26–31 Houghton, NY · Admitted 89% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  89. Elmira College ACT 26–29 Elmira, NY · Admitted 77% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  90. Earlham College ACT 24–33 Richmond, IN · Admitted 73% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  91. University of South Florida ACT 25–29 Tampa, FL · Admitted 41% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  92. University of Minnesota Twin Cities ACT 26–32 Minneapolis, MN · Admitted 79% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  93. LSU ACT 24–30 Baton Rouge, LA · Admitted 73% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Scores required for some, fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2024
  94. University of South Carolina ACT 26–32 Columbia, SC · Admitted 56% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  95. University at Buffalo ACT 27–31 Buffalo, NY · Admitted 81% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Test-optional for fall 2027 Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  96. Baylor University ACT 26–32 Waco, TX · Admitted 52% of fall 2025 applicants (Common Data Set) Source: Common Data Set, fall 2025
  97. Pennsylvania State University-World Campus ACT 26–32 University Park, PA · Admitted 91% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  98. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach ACT 24–30 Daytona Beach, FL · Admitted 65% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  99. Belmont University ACT 24–30 Nashville, TN · Admitted 95% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
  100. State University of New York at New Paltz ACT 25–29 New Paltz, NY · Admitted 62% of fall 2024 applicants (IPEDS) Source: IPEDS, fall 2024
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What colleges accept a 28 ACT score?

A 28 ACT is in the middle 50% of first-year scores at 346 four-year colleges. The 100 below are the ones where 28 sits closest to the middle of the range, including Texas A&M, University of Central Florida and Michigan State. Colleges don't set a minimum score, so a 28 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?

Penn State Behrend admitted 97% of fall 2024 applicants, Belmont University admitted 95% of fall 2024 applicants and Western Washington University admitted 93% of fall 2024 applicants. Among the 100 colleges listed, 49 admitted three in four applicants or more.

Which colleges on this list are hardest to get into?

United States Naval Academy admitted 9.3% of fall 2024 applicants, Bucknell University admitted 32% of fall 2025 applicants and Illinois Wesleyan University admitted 39% of fall 2024 applicants: the lowest rates on this list.

Do I have to send my ACT score to these colleges?

It depends on the college. We read the fall 2027 rule on the college's own site for 10 colleges on this list: 3 require a score, 6 are test-optional, 1 require it for some applicants. For the others, check the college's admissions page before you decide.

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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