Key takeaways
A score of 20 on the ACT is generally considered average and can open doors to various college opportunities, particularly at less competitive institutions. Understanding the implications of this score is crucial for students as they navigate their college admissions journey and scholarship options.
- A score of 20 is close to the 50th percentile, indicating that students performed better than half of all test takers (source: ACT).
- Many colleges, especially regional and community institutions, accept a score of 20, focusing on a holistic review of applicants.
- Students with a score of 20 can qualify for scholarships, such as the Academic Incentive Scholarship at Alabama State University, which requires a GPA between 3.0–3.5.
- Retaking the ACT can be beneficial; many students improve their scores by 4 points or more with proper preparation and practice.
Contents
Getting an ACT score of 20 may leave some test takers confused about how to feel. Even though it’s not the highest score, it can lead students to a range of educational chances.
In this article, students will find information about what a 20 ACT score means for college, GPA, and scholarships, all designed to help students make smart choices about college.
Do Colleges Accept an ACT Score of 20?
What Percentile Does a 20 ACT Score Fall Into?
Most of the time, a score of 20 on the ACT is average or just above average, because it’s close to the 50th percentile. Students at this percentile did better than the top 50% of all test takers.
Understanding if a student’s score is higher or lower than the national average is important when looking at their chances of going to college.
A score of 20 isn’t terrible, since it shows that working on a few things might help them get accepted by tougher schools.
Which Colleges Accept a 20 ACT Score?
Plenty of colleges and universities are happy to accept students with a score of 20 on the ACT. A lot of schools take this score into account when deciding who to admit, especially those that are considered safety schools.
Many students with a score of 20 have a good shot at getting in because these schools aren’t as competitive. Included in this group are regional colleges and community colleges that generally take a comprehensive look at students’ GPA, involvement, and personal writing in addition to test results shown below:
- East Carolina University (Greenville, NC)
- University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (Honolulu, HI)
- Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
- Georgia State University (Atlanta, GA)
- San Jose State University (San Jose, CA)
- San Francisco State University (San Francisco, CA)
- Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA)
- Portland State University (Portland, OR)
- La Salle University (Philadelphia, PA)
- Western Michigan University (Kalamazoo, MI)
Are There Any Colleges with No Minimum ACT Score Requirement?
Yes, a number of colleges now let students apply without showing their ACT scores. Students at these schools can submit their applications without including any standardized test scores, even a score of 20 on the ACT. This strategy helps students who think their ACT scores don’t show what they can really do academically. These schools usually look more at a student’s grade point average, recommendations, and personal essays to get a more complete sense of who they are.
How Does a 20 ACT Score Impact College Admission?
Is a 20 ACT Score Considered a Good Score?
Others might call a 20 average, but its value depends on what kind of college students want to go to. For a lot of state and community colleges, a 20 usually means students are able to get admitted.
On the other hand, students wanting to attend more challenging universities may find this score comes up short of what’s usually accepted. So, those hoping to attend selective universities should aim for a higher score to make their application stand out and help get accepted.
What Other Factors Do Colleges Consider for Admission?
Colleges and universities take many factors into account besides only the ACT score when making decisions. Admissions decision makers attach great importance to a student’s GPA while making their choices.
Students with a good GPA can sometimes make up for average ACT results. Contributing to a balanced application are extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and interviews.
Colleges strive to review the whole potential of applicants by evaluating their achievements and contributions, aside from their standardized test results.
How Important is Your GPA Alongside an ACT Score of 20?
GPA is an important feature of a student’s college application and is frequently worth more than the ACT score. Academic stability and dependable academic achievement are shown by a student with a solid GPA.
A strong candidate may be identified when the student has an ACT score of 20 and a high GPA. When the GPA is not high, the student may rely on a better ACT score to support the application to preferred colleges.
Can You Improve Your Chances with a 20 ACT Score?
Should You Retake the ACT for a Better Score?
Retaking the ACT should be considered if students are convinced they might do better on the next attempt.
Many students discover that enhanced preparation and the use of practice tests help them raise their scores by more than 4 points. Students must consider how much time and effort they will invest in preparing for the ACT again, and compare this to their chance of achieving a better score.
What Study Strategies Can Help Increase Your ACT Score?
Here are strategic steps students can take to increase their ACT score listed below:
- Take practice tests regularly to familiarize oneself with test format
- Identify areas needing improvement
- Focus on weaker subjects
- Utilize resources like ACT prep books and study groups.
Are There ACT Prep Courses Worth Considering?
A large number of students believe that taking ACT prep courses helps them perform better on the exam. Often, these classes supply organized study resources, skilled mentoring, and resources unique to the ACT.
Here are some of the ACT preparation courses that students can look into listed below:
- Legacy Online School
- The Princeton Review
- Magoosh
- Kaplan
What Scholarships Can You Qualify for with a 20 ACT Score?
What Types of Scholarships Are Available for ACT Scores?
Students who achieve an ACT score of 20 are eligible for some scholarships, even if the total number of opportunities is not as great as for those with higher scores. A large number of colleges grant merit scholarships that assess ACT scores, and these usually set minimum score requirements. Notably, some need-based scholarships and local community grants are available that do not demand high ACT scores, ensuring students have additional financial support options.
Here are several scholarships that students can find in some of the colleges listed below:
Alabama State University – Academic Incentive Scholarship
- Eligibility: ACT score of 20 and GPA between 3.0–3.5
- Award: Full tuition plus a $500 book stipend for 8 semesters
- Details: This scholarship is automatically awarded based on meeting the academic criteria.
Louisiana Tech University – Merit Scholarships
- Eligibility: ACT scores starting at 20 and GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Award: Scholarships range from $1,000 to $9,500 annually
- Details: Awards are automatically granted based on GPA and ACT scores.
Texas Tech University – Merit Scholarships
- Eligibility: ACT score of 19 or higher
- Award: Up to $1,000, depending on class rank and test scores
- Details: Applicants are automatically considered upon admission.
Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) – Louisiana Residents
- Eligibility: ACT score of 20, 2.5 GPA, and completion of the TOPS core curriculum
- Award: Covers tuition at public Louisiana colleges and universities
- Details: A state-funded program for Louisiana residents.
Scholarships.com – ACT Scores from 16 to 20
- Examples:
- Eastern New Mexico University Freshman Academic Scholarship: $21,600
- Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program: Full tuition
- Daniels Scholarship Program: Up to $304,236
Does a 20 ACT Score Affect Eligibility for Need-Based Aid?
A student’s financial background usually plays a bigger role in determining need-based financial aid than their ACT score does. Thus, a student who achieves a score of 20 can receive need-based aid when they meet the proper financial requirements. Students should be sure to file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to discover possible aid and increase the financial help they receive for their college years.
Legacy Online School helps students build the confidence and skills they need to succeed on the SAT® and ACT®. All lessons are delivered live online, with real-time support and feedback from qualified instructors who are fully invested in your progress. If you’re serious about improving your score, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
How to Find Scholarships That Accept a 20 ACT Score?
Searching for scholarships that consider a score of 20 should start with researching local organizations, community foundations, as well as colleges that award scholarships based on diverse criteria. Many specialized scholarship search sites like Scholarship.com permit students to screen for awards that correspond to their ACT scores. Students may obtain additional information about scholarships for those with varying test scores by contacting their high school guidance counselor.
Understanding Your ACT Score Report
What Does Each Component of the ACT Score Mean?
A composite score appears on the ACT score report, representing the median of all four individual section scores. English, Math, Reading, and Science. The individual section scores, all from 1 to 36, provide information that can point out students’ strengths and weaknesses. Having this insight permits students to target their preparation on specific parts that need improvement, which may raise their overall composite score.
How to Interpret Your Writing Test Score?
The optional writing test on the ACT is graded independently and reveals students’ writing strengths. It assesses the student’s essay according to organization, clarity, and argumentative effectiveness.
What Are the Benefits of Understanding Your Scores?
The benefits of understanding the ACT score includes the following:
- Making informed decisions about retaking ACT
- Improving study habits
- Selecting schools that match a student’s academic profile
- Articulating strengths in personal statements and interviews
- Enhancing chances of admission and scholarship opportunities.
