California Colleges for a 17 on the ACT

With a 17 ACT, you are competitive at 69 four-year colleges in California (12 target, 21 reach, 36 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 930 SAT.

Colleges in California for a 17 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 17 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA	16-23	19	96%	Medium
California State University Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA	15-20	17	91%	Medium
California State University Sacramento Sacramento, CA	17-23	20	94%	Medium
California State University Fresno Fresno, CA	16-21	18	95%	Medium
Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA	17-23	20	93%	Medium
California State University Northridge Northridge, CA	16-22	19	93%	Medium
California State University San Marcos San Marcos, CA	17-22	19	95%	Medium
California State Polytechnic University Humboldt Arcata, CA	17-25	21	98%	Medium
California State University Monterey Bay Seaside, CA	17-23	20	97%	Medium
Life Pacific University San Dimas, CA	16-25	20	96%	Medium
California State University San Bernardino San Bernardino, CA	15-20	17	94%	Medium
Fresno Pacific University Fresno, CA	17-24	20	64%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
San Diego State University San Diego, CA	22-29	25	36%	Low
San Jose State University San Jose, CA	19-26	22	85%	Low
California State University Long Beach Long Beach, CA	20-26	23	46%	Low
California State University Fullerton Fullerton, CA	18-23	20	91%	Low
University of California Riverside Riverside, CA	22-31	26	76%	Low
California State University Chico Chico, CA	18-24	21	93%	Low
University of California Merced Merced, CA	19-24	21	91%	Low
University of the Pacific Stockton, CA	23-32	27	71%	Low
California Baptist University Riverside, CA	18-25	21	85%	Low
California State Polytechnic University Pomona Pomona, CA	19-27	23	75%	Low
University of Redlands Redlands, CA	21-28	24	83%	Low
University of La Verne La Verne, CA	18-25	21	71%	Low

View all 21 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 17; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Notre Dame de Namur University Belmont, CA	-	-	100%	High
Bethesda University Anaheim, CA	-	-	100%	High
Touro University Worldwide Los Alamitos, CA	-	-	100%	High
American Jewish University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Pacific States University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Los Angeles Pacific University San Dimas, CA	-	-	100%	High
Lincoln University Oakland, CA	-	-	100%	High
Providence Christian College Pasadena, CA	-	-	100%	High
University of the West Rosemead, CA	-	-	100%	High
California College of ASU Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High
Horizon University Indianapolis, CA	-	-	100%	High
World Mission University Los Angeles, CA	-	-	100%	High

View all 36 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 17 ACT in California

See all colleges nationally for a 17 ACT

17 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 17 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
14	800
15	850
16	890
17	930
18	970
19	1010
20	1040

Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.

Published: August 19, 2026