Colleges for 18 ACT Scores: Where You Fall in the Middle 50%
Of the 876 main-campus colleges that report ACT percentiles to College Scorecard, 233 have a score of 18 inside the middle 50% of their enrolled students. At 638 colleges, 18 is below the 25th percentile (a reach), and at 5 it is above the 75th percentile (above typical).
Those 233 typical colleges have a median net price of $16,590 and a median acceptance rate of 81%. By sector, 121 public and 112 private nonprofit; 206 report a test-optional policy.
Acceptance rates in this group run from 22% at Dallas Christian College to 100% at Kentucky Mountain Bible College, so a score inside the middle 50% says little about an admission decision. The lowest net price among them is $3,637 at Texas A & M International University.
The states with the most of them are Texas (23), Georgia (17) and Missouri (15). Test-optional colleges among them: 206. Because test-optional colleges often publish ranges that skew high, treat the middle 50% as a guide, not a cutoff.
-
Typical
233
Your score is within the school's middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.
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Reach
638
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile.
-
Above typical
5
Your score is above the school's 75th percentile.
How the groups are defined
One rule sorts every college, using the 25th and 75th percentile scores in the College Scorecard data. We never say a college will admit a score; we only show where it falls.
- Who is counted
- College Scorecard describes these percentiles as the middle 50% of first-time students who enrolled in the fall of 2024; admitted students who did not enroll are not included. Colleges can only report scores for students who submitted them, and colleges that do not require tests often report mostly higher scorers, so their ranges tend to skew high.
- Reach. Your score is below the school's 25th percentile.
- Typical. Your score is within the school's middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.
- Above typical. Your score is above the school's 75th percentile.
- ACT ranges are the composite 25th and 75th percentiles as reported, on the 1 to 36 scale.
- We do not convert between the SAT and the ACT. This page uses ACT scores only; the other test has its own pages.
- Test policy
- The test policy comes from the admissions field Scorecard calls ADMCON7. We tag a college as test-optional when it reports that tests are neither required nor recommended, or are considered only if submitted. Test-optional colleges among the 233 typical ones: 206.
- Left out: 1,480 of 2,356 main-campus colleges with missing or suppressed ACT percentiles. None had figures that contradict themselves (a 25th percentile above the 75th, or a value outside the test's valid range). 876 colleges are counted.
- Data periodTest score percentiles: fall 2024 entering class. Acceptance rate: fall 2024 applicants. Net price: average for students receiving aid, academic year 2023-24 (in-state price at public colleges).
- Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, June 2026 release.
Read the full methodology Test-optional colleges and how to read SAT/ACT ranges
Typical: the middle 50% includes 18 (233)
Your score is within the school's middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Sorted by net price, lowest first; colleges with no reported net price come last. Showing 50 of 233.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas A & M International University Laredo, TX Public · 4-year Net price: $3,637 · Acceptance rate: 44% | 16–22 | ||
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $4,831 · Acceptance rate: 94% | 15–21 | ||
| Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus Portales, NM Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $4,904 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 17–23 | ||
| Indiana University-Northwest Gary, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $5,130 · Acceptance rate: 73% | 18–26 | ||
| Purdue University Northwest Hammond, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,079 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 16–24 | ||
| Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,364 · Acceptance rate: 64% | 16–22 | ||
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,842 · Acceptance rate: 76% | 17–22 | ||
| Louisiana State University-Shreveport Shreveport, LA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,022 · Acceptance rate: 51% | 18–24 | ||
| Louisiana State University at Alexandria Alexandria, LA Public · 4-year Net price: $7,065 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 17–22 | ||
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,892 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 15–19 | ||
| Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant, OK Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,039 · Acceptance rate: 76% | 18–24 | ||
| Gordon State College Barnesville, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,105 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 15–24 | ||
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,191 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 18–25 | ||
| Clayton State University Morrow, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,365 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 15–19 | ||
| Marion Military Institute Marion, AL Public · 2-year Net price: $8,627 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 16–23 | ||
| East Central University Ada, OK Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,683 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 17–24 | ||
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus Las Cruces, NM Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,889 · Acceptance rate: 89% | 17–24 | ||
| Fairmont State University Fairmont, WV Public · 4-year Net price: $9,032 · Acceptance rate: 99% | 17–23 | ||
| University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,210 · Acceptance rate: 29% | 18–22 | ||
| Kentucky Mountain Bible College Jackson, KY Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $9,337 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 17–25 | ||
| Lamar University Beaumont, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,366 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 18–25 | ||
| The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,403 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 17–22 | ||
| Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,735 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 18–24 | ||
| Concord University Athens, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,966 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 17–24 | ||
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK Public · 4-year Net price: $10,104 · Acceptance rate: 65% | 16–21 | ||
| University of North Carolina at Pembroke Pembroke, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,260 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 18–23 | ||
| University of Hawaii-West Oahu Kapolei, HI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,327 · Acceptance rate: 95% | 15–21 | ||
| University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,359 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 18–25 | ||
| University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,542 · Acceptance rate: 90% | 16–22 | ||
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Public · 4-year Net price: $10,574 · Acceptance rate: 80% | 18–23 | ||
| Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,775 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 18–26 | ||
| North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,846 · Acceptance rate: 50% | 17–23 | ||
| Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Public · 4-year Net price: $10,945 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 16–22 | ||
| Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,990 · Acceptance rate: 94% | 16–21 | ||
| West Virginia State University Institute, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,139 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 15–20 | ||
| Texas A&M University-San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,196 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 15–21 | ||
| Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $11,212 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 17–22 | ||
| Francis Marion University Florence, SC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,386 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 16–24 | ||
| Dominican University River Forest, IL Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,745 · Acceptance rate: 90% | 16–26 | ||
| University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha, WI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,772 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 17–25 | ||
| East Texas A&M University Commerce, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,841 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 18–24 | ||
| University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,856 · Acceptance rate: 61% | 15–22 | ||
| Valley City State University Valley City, ND Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,890 · Acceptance rate: 99% | 17–24 | ||
| Missouri Southern State University Joplin, MO Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,007 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 17–24 | ||
| Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,019 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 16–22 | ||
| University of Wisconsin-Superior Superior, WI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,220 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 18–24 | ||
| Central Baptist College Conway, AR Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $12,287 · Acceptance rate: 63% | 17–23 | ||
| Middle Georgia State University Macon, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,361 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 16–24 | ||
| Arkansas State University Jonesboro, AR Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,366 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 18–24 | ||
| University of New Orleans New Orleans, LA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,384 · Acceptance rate: 74% | 17–23 |
Reach: 18 is below the 25th percentile (638)
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 25th percentile is nearest above 18. Showing 20 of 638.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Flint Flint, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,007 · Acceptance rate: 70% | 19–24 | ||
| Marshall University Huntington, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,502 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 19–24 | ||
| Indiana University-East Richmond, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,134 · Acceptance rate: 67% | 19–24 | ||
| Murray State University Murray, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,096 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 19–26 | ||
| University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,823 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 19–25 | ||
| Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,854 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–24 | ||
| Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,051 · Acceptance rate: 95% | 19–26 | ||
| University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $10,154 · Acceptance rate: 53% | 19–25 | ||
| Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,338 · Acceptance rate: 66% | 19–24 | ||
| The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public · 4-year Net price: $10,701 · Acceptance rate: 88% | 19–25 | ||
| The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,836 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–25 | ||
| Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,040 · Acceptance rate: 78% | 19–25 | ||
| Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,363 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 19–24 | ||
| University of South Carolina Aiken Aiken, SC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,641 · Acceptance rate: 79% | 19–26 | ||
| Youngstown State University Youngstown, OH Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,767 · Acceptance rate: 84% | 19–25 | ||
| Nicholls State University Thibodaux, LA Public · 4-year Net price: $12,947 · Acceptance rate: 91% | 19–24 | ||
| Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,315 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 19–25 | ||
| University of Nebraska at Omaha Omaha, NE Public · 4-year Net price: $13,441 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–26 | ||
| The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,951 · Acceptance rate: 80% | 19–27 | ||
| University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls, WI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $14,054 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 19–26 |
Above typical: 18 is above the 75th percentile (5)
Your score is above the school's 75th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 75th percentile is nearest below 18. Showing all 5.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky State University Frankfort, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,040 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 14–17 | ||
| Mississippi Valley State University Itta Bena, MS Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,686 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 13–17 | ||
| Gallaudet University Washington, DC Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $15,845 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 14–17 | ||
| Southeastern Baptist College Laurel, MS Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $8,138 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 5–7 | ||
| Conception Seminary College Conception, MO Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $24,558 · Acceptance rate: — | 1–5 |