18 ACT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
More than 1,100 colleges enroll students around an 18 ACT, so you still have a lot of doors open. Familiar targets like San Francisco State and Georgia Southern regularly admit students in this range. Treat this as a solid starting point while you figure out which schools feel like a good fit.
How 18 ACT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 34th - higher than about 34% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Near or below 21 - the typical national score.
- SAT equivalent: ~970 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,114 schools (341 target, 414 reach, 359 safety).
Is a 18 ACT Score Good?
Your 18 is at the low end of Cal State Fullerton's middle 50% (18-23) and lines up with University of Memphis (18-24). It also overlaps North Carolina A&T (17-23). Those are realistic targets, not stretch schools.
An 18 ACT is a bit under the national average of 21, so it will not impress every admissions office. It is still a usable score at hundreds of public universities and private colleges that already enroll students in this range.
Your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations still count. At this score, a stronger record in those areas can matter as much as the test number.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 18 ACT
Your 18 already matches a long run of public universities. University of Hawaii at Manoa (17-25) and Sam Houston State (17-24) are comfortable fits, and Cal State Los Angeles (15-20) has you toward the high end of its middle 50%. Arizona State will be tougher because its middle 50% starts at 21. Safer bets like Savannah State sit below you. The tables below group good-fit schools, harder ones, and likely backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
Your 18 falls inside the middle 50% at University of Hawaii at Manoa (17-25) and Morgan State (16-21). You have a good shot at this group.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Arizona State (21-28) and San Diego State (22-29) usually look for higher scores than 18. You can still apply, but those will be tougher to get into.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
You have hundreds of backups where an 18 is already above the usual band. Albany State (15-18) and Savannah State (15-19) are two examples with strong odds.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 18 ACT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 18 ACT in popular states:
Local Options for a 18 ACT
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Should you retake the ACT if you have a 18?
With an 18, a retake is usually a smart move. A couple of extra points can slide you from the low end of a school's range into a more comfortable spot. If you already like your current targets and the rest of your application is strong, you can skip it.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May open more selective public universities | Takes time from grades and activities |
| A 1-2 point gain widens your options | Another test date can add stress |
| Puts you higher in some middle 50% ranges | Gains are not guaranteed |
Focused prep often raises an ACT composite by 1 or 2 points. Drill your weakest section, take a couple of timed practice tests, and review every miss instead of rereading the whole book.
You can apply with your 18 now, or pick a new test date and give yourself a few weeks of real practice.
18 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 18 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| ACT Score | SAT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 15 | 850 |
| 16 | 890 |
| 17 | 930 |
| 18 | 970 |
| 19 | 1010 |
| 20 | 1040 |
| 21 | 1080 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 18 ACT places you in about the 34th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 34% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 18 ACT
- Compare nearby scores: 17 and 19
- Browse the equivalent 970 SAT college list
Published: August 19, 2026