Colleges for 21 ACT Scores: Where You Fall in the Middle 50%
Of the 876 main-campus colleges that report ACT percentiles to College Scorecard, 431 have a score of 21 inside the middle 50% of their enrolled students. At 411 colleges, 21 is below the 25th percentile (a reach), and at 34 it is above the 75th percentile (above typical).
Those 431 typical colleges have a median net price of $17,490 and a median acceptance rate of 80%. By sector, 212 public and 216 private nonprofit; 382 report a test-optional policy.
Acceptance rates in this group run from 12% at College of the Ozarks 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 (34), Georgia (22) and Tennessee (22). Test-optional colleges among them: 382. Because test-optional colleges often publish ranges that skew high, treat the middle 50% as a guide, not a cutoff.
-
Typical
431
Your score is within the school's middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.
-
Reach
411
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile.
-
Above typical
34
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 431 typical ones: 382.
- 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 21 (431)
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 431.
| 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 | ||
| Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $3,968 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 21–27 | ||
| 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 | ||
| College of the Ozarks Point Lookout, MO Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $6,100 · Acceptance rate: 12% | 20–25 | ||
| Elizabeth City State University Elizabeth City, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,364 · Acceptance rate: 64% | 16–22 | ||
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, OK Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,624 · Acceptance rate: 66% | 21–26 | ||
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Tifton, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,842 · Acceptance rate: 76% | 17–22 | ||
| University of Michigan-Flint Flint, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,007 · Acceptance rate: 70% | 19–24 | ||
| 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 | ||
| New College of Florida Sarasota, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $7,195 · Acceptance rate: 73% | 21–26 | ||
| Marshall University Huntington, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,502 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 19–24 | ||
| Indiana University-Southeast New Albany, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,888 · Acceptance rate: 84% | 20–25 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Indiana University-East Richmond, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,134 · Acceptance rate: 67% | 19–24 | ||
| Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,191 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 18–25 | ||
| Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,624 · Acceptance rate: 91% | 20–24 | ||
| Marion Military Institute Marion, AL Public · 2-year Net price: $8,627 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 16–23 | ||
| Indiana University-South Bend South Bend, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,653 · Acceptance rate: 84% | 21–23 | ||
| East Central University Ada, OK Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,683 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 17–24 | ||
| Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $8,752 · Acceptance rate: 66% | 21–26 | ||
| University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, MN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,837 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 20–26 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Murray State University Murray, KY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,096 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 19–26 | ||
| University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,210 · Acceptance rate: 29% | 18–22 | ||
| Florida International University Miami, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $9,288 · Acceptance rate: 55% | 21–27 | ||
| Kentucky Mountain Bible College Jackson, KY Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $9,337 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 17–25 | ||
| University of West Florida Pensacola, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $9,364 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 20–27 | ||
| 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 | ||
| University of North Georgia Dahlonega, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,823 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 19–25 | ||
| University of Illinois Springfield Springfield, IL Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,833 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 21–27 | ||
| Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,854 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–24 | ||
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Socorro, NM Public · 4-year Net price: $9,873 · Acceptance rate: 44% | 20–29 | ||
| Concord University Athens, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,966 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 17–24 | ||
| Colorado State University Pueblo Pueblo, CO Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,051 · Acceptance rate: 95% | 19–26 | ||
| Northwestern Oklahoma State University Alva, OK Public · 4-year Net price: $10,104 · Acceptance rate: 65% | 16–21 | ||
| University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $10,154 · Acceptance rate: 53% | 19–25 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Fort Valley State University Fort Valley, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,338 · Acceptance rate: 66% | 19–24 | ||
| 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 |
Reach: 21 is below the 25th percentile (411)
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 25th percentile is nearest above 21. Showing 20 of 411.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY Public · 4-year Net price: $6,174 · Acceptance rate: 34% | 22–29 | ||
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,965 · Acceptance rate: 89% | 22–27 | ||
| Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,171 · Acceptance rate: 84% | 22–29 | ||
| SUNY Polytechnic Institute Utica, NY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $14,164 · Acceptance rate: 81% | 22–30 | ||
| University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $14,906 · Acceptance rate: 30% | 22–29 | ||
| University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MI Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,232 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 22–28 | ||
| Southern Wesleyan University Central, SC Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,464 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 22–28 | ||
| University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,200 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 22–29 | ||
| University of Wisconsin-La Crosse La Crosse, WI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,210 · Acceptance rate: 76% | 22–27 | ||
| Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,317 · Acceptance rate: 83% | 22–30 | ||
| Western Colorado University Gunnison, CO Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,425 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 22–26 | ||
| University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,550 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 22–27 | ||
| State University of New York at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh, NY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,156 · Acceptance rate: 78% | 22–28 | ||
| Niagara University Niagara University, NY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,248 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 22–28 | ||
| University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, MA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,707 · Acceptance rate: 84% | 22–29 | ||
| University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,747 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 22–28 | ||
| East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, PA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,134 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 22–23 | ||
| Ramapo College of New Jersey Mahwah, NJ Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,173 · Acceptance rate: 71% | 22–30 | ||
| Nebraska Wesleyan University Lincoln, NE Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,327 · Acceptance rate: 80% | 22–27 | ||
| Regis University Denver, CO Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,397 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 22–29 |
Above typical: 21 is above the 75th percentile (34)
Your score is above the school's 75th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 75th percentile is nearest below 21. Showing 20 of 34.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia State University Institute, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,139 · Acceptance rate: 96% | 15–20 | ||
| Winston-Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,479 · Acceptance rate: 78% | 15–20 | ||
| Southern University at New Orleans New Orleans, LA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $14,810 · Acceptance rate: 79% | 15–20 | ||
| Virginia State University Petersburg, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,840 · Acceptance rate: 89% | 14–20 | ||
| Southeast Missouri State University Cape Girardeau, MO Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,882 · Acceptance rate: 74% | 15–20 | ||
| Randall University Moore, OK Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,383 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 16–20 | ||
| Mercy College of Ohio Toledo, OH Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,989 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 15–20 | ||
| Missouri Valley College Marshall, MO Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,086 · Acceptance rate: 69% | 16–20 | ||
| Warner University Lake Wales, FL Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $19,748 · Acceptance rate: 43% | 14–20 | ||
| Trinity College of Jacksonville Jacksonville, FL Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $20,011 · Acceptance rate: 53% | 16–20 | ||
| Alabama State University Montgomery, AL Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $20,435 · Acceptance rate: 98% | 15–20 | ||
| Bushnell University Eugene, OR Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $20,789 · Acceptance rate: 67% | 18–20 | ||
| Jackson State University Jackson, MS Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $23,836 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 15–20 | ||
| Saint Martin's University Lacey, WA Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $28,119 · Acceptance rate: 90% | 16–20 | ||
| Life University Marietta, GA Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $29,791 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 17–20 | ||
| Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $7,892 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 15–19 | ||
| Clayton State University Morrow, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $8,365 · Acceptance rate: 68% | 15–19 | ||
| Alcorn State University Alcorn State, MS Public · 4-year Net price: $13,265 · Acceptance rate: 45% | 15–19 | ||
| Heritage Christian University Florence, AL Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $15,426 · Acceptance rate: — | 18–19 | ||
| Texas Southern University Houston, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $16,590 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 15–19 |