Colleges for 23 ACT Scores: Where You Fall in the Middle 50%
Of the 876 main-campus colleges that report ACT percentiles to College Scorecard, 488 have a score of 23 inside the middle 50% of their enrolled students. At 306 colleges, 23 is below the 25th percentile (a reach), and at 82 it is above the 75th percentile (above typical).
Those 488 typical colleges have a median net price of $18,568 and a median acceptance rate of 80%. By sector, 224 public and 261 private nonprofit; 444 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 $3,968 at Indiana University-Kokomo.
The states with the most of them are Texas (34), Ohio (26) and North Carolina (23). Test-optional colleges among them: 444. Because test-optional colleges often publish ranges that skew high, treat the middle 50% as a guide, not a cutoff.
-
Typical
488
Your score is within the school's middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile.
-
Reach
306
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile.
-
Above typical
82
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 488 typical ones: 444.
- 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 23 (488)
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 488.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University-Kokomo Kokomo, IN Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $3,968 · Acceptance rate: 86% | 21–27 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Berea College Berea, KY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,106 · Acceptance rate: 19% | 23–28 | ||
| United States Merchant Marine Academy Kings Point, NY Public · 4-year Net price: $6,174 · Acceptance rate: 34% | 22–29 | ||
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma Chickasha, OK Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $6,624 · Acceptance rate: 66% | 21–26 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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 Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR Public · 4-year Net price: $10,574 · Acceptance rate: 80% | 18–23 | ||
| The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, TN Public · 4-year Net price: $10,701 · Acceptance rate: 88% | 19–25 | ||
| Saginaw Valley State University University Center, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,775 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 18–26 | ||
| The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,836 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–25 | ||
| North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,846 · Acceptance rate: 50% | 17–23 | ||
| Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,867 · Acceptance rate: 63% | 20–28 | ||
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,965 · Acceptance rate: 89% | 22–27 | ||
| 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 |
Reach: 23 is below the 25th percentile (306)
Your score is below the school's 25th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 25th percentile is nearest above 23. Showing 20 of 306.
| College | Middle 50% | Net price | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan-Dearborn Dearborn, MI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,492 · Acceptance rate: 56% | 24–28 | ||
| University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $9,812 · Acceptance rate: 43% | 24–29 | ||
| Florida Polytechnic University Lakeland, FL Public · 4-year Net price: $11,853 · Acceptance rate: 58% | 24–30 | ||
| University of Southern Maine Portland, ME Public · 4-year Net price: $13,596 · Acceptance rate: 79% | 24–28 | ||
| Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $14,638 · Acceptance rate: 90% | 24–29 | ||
| Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $17,113 · Acceptance rate: 71% | 24–31 | ||
| The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,267 · Acceptance rate: 65% | 24–32 | ||
| University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, AL Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,796 · Acceptance rate: 69% | 24–31 | ||
| St. Joseph's University-New York Brooklyn, NY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $19,035 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 24–29 | ||
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $19,151 · Acceptance rate: 73% | 24–30 | ||
| Oregon State University Corvallis, OR Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $19,604 · Acceptance rate: 77% | 24–31 | ||
| University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $20,109 · Acceptance rate: 64% | 24–29 | ||
| South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Rapid City, SD Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $20,183 · Acceptance rate: 80% | 24–30 | ||
| North Central College Naperville, IL Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $21,044 · Acceptance rate: 77% | 24–29 | ||
| Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $21,193 · Acceptance rate: 93% | 24–31 | ||
| Beloit College Beloit, WI Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $21,526 · Acceptance rate: 63% | 24–30 | ||
| Transylvania University Lexington, KY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $21,913 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 24–30 | ||
| The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $22,420 · Acceptance rate: 77% | 24–31 | ||
| New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury, NY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $22,443 · Acceptance rate: 81% | 24–32 | ||
| Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $22,900 · Acceptance rate: 61% | 24–30 |
Above typical: 23 is above the 75th percentile (82)
Your score is above the school's 75th percentile. Closest first: the colleges whose 75th percentile is nearest below 23. Showing 20 of 82.
| 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 | ||
| 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 at Alexandria Alexandria, LA Public · 4-year Net price: $7,065 · Acceptance rate: 92% | 17–22 | ||
| University of Virginia's College at Wise Wise, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,210 · Acceptance rate: 29% | 18–22 | ||
| The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $9,403 · Acceptance rate: 100% | 17–22 | ||
| University of Houston-Downtown Houston, TX Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $10,542 · Acceptance rate: 90% | 16–22 | ||
| Valdosta State University Valdosta, GA Public · 4-year Net price: $10,945 · Acceptance rate: 72% | 16–22 | ||
| Baptist Health Sciences University Memphis, TN Private nonprofit · 4-year Net price: $11,212 · Acceptance rate: 82% | 17–22 | ||
| University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HI Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $11,856 · Acceptance rate: 61% | 15–22 | ||
| Georgia Southwestern State University Americus, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $12,019 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 16–22 | ||
| University of West Georgia Carrollton, GA Public · 4-year Net price: $12,786 · Acceptance rate: 52% | 17–22 | ||
| Columbus State University Columbus, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,115 · Acceptance rate: 99% | 16–22 | ||
| Bluefield State University Bluefield, WV Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $13,684 · Acceptance rate: 97% | 17–22 | ||
| College of Coastal Georgia Brunswick, GA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,261 · Acceptance rate: 98% | 17–22 | ||
| Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,282 · Acceptance rate: 88% | 16–22 | ||
| North Carolina Central University Durham, NC Public · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $15,359 · Acceptance rate: 87% | 19–22 | ||
| Salem College Winston-Salem, NC Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,277 · Acceptance rate: 77% | 16–22 | ||
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,600 · Acceptance rate: 75% | 16–22 | ||
| Brenau University Gainesville, GA Private nonprofit · 4-year · Test-optional Net price: $18,924 · Acceptance rate: 88% | 18–22 |