<span>28 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 28 ACT Score</span>

28 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 28 ACT Score

The ACT is a college entrance exam used during the admissions process to measure proficiency in Math, Science, English, and Reading. Taking 2 hours and 55 to complete, the ACT is composed of 215 questions, along with an optional Writing portion, and is graded on a scale of 1 to 36. The national average ACT score is 20.8. 

 

Is a 28 ACT Score (88th Percentile) Good?

A score of 28 places you in approximately the 88th percentile of all high school students. With a 28, you’re an extremely competitive candidate at a majority of schools, as well as able to consider applying to more selective institutions as well. Since one of the purposes of taking the ACT is to generate a large number of college options to choose from, a score of 28 accomplishes this goal.

Looking at this from that percentage angle, an ACT score of 28 puts you at the 88th percentile — that means you scored higher than 88% of all test takers, of which there are nearly 2 million. All that considered, a 28 is definitely a good score! Congratulations! 

 

What Colleges Can I Get Into with an ACT Score of 28?

With an ACT score as high as 28, you’re a competitive candidate at a majority of institutions and we’ve put together a sample list of them below. Be aware that a standardized test score alone is not a guarantee of acceptance, but all of these institutions have a history of admitting students who earn a 28 on the ACT.

 

Should I Retake the ACT with a 28 Score?

There’s no pressure to retake the ACT with a score of 28. The one primary reason a student would retake the ACT at this juncture would be if their ideal school wants a point or two higher. Otherwise, you’re eligible for merit aid and are competitive at a wide variety of schools, so retaking it isn’t necessary.

If you’re a junior and your ACT score is in the 90th percentile for the colleges and universities you’re interested in, concentrate on doing as well as possible in all classes during your remaining time in high school. Devote more study time to any courses that feel especially difficult to ensure that your GPA remains at a good level. Most colleges weigh ACT scores on an equal basis with GPA so it’s important to put in the work and finish high school strong.

Several more selective colleges use an ACT score of 30 as an approximate benchmark for admission, but don’t let that deter you from applying. Just be sure to also apply to Likely and Target colleges, too. If you opt to retake the ACT to improve your odds, you have a good amount of time to do so before college application season. Review the breakdown of your current score, study up on sections that weren’t your best, and consider getting a tutor to help you reach your goal score.

For seniors, concentrate on the rest of your application to ensure that it’s as marketable as an ACT score of 28. Pay particular attention to the personal essay and list of after school activities. Have your college counselor look over your essay and offer suggestions and critique. For more feedback, show it to a trusted teacher or mentor. Furthermore, contact any teachers who’ve impacted your high school career and ask them to write letters of recommendation. Try to ask your favorite teachers since the more personalized the letter gets, the more help it will be in getting into college.

 

28 ACT to SAT Equivalent

A 28 SAT score is equivalent to earning a 1310-1340 on the SAT. There are a few key differences between these two tests, so what you score on one may not be what you score on the other, but this is a good tool for comparison. 

 

Scholarships for a 28 ACT Score

Earning a 28 ACT score makes you eligible for merit aid both from your potential institution and from third-party scholarship providers. Start applying for scholarships today — and not only ones for merit, either. 

Find scholarships based on your location, life circumstances, extracurriculars, future major, and so much more on our extensive scholarship database. College comes with a variety of costs outside of tuition and having a nest egg will help offset the extra dollar signs! 

 

View all scholarships

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 28 a good ACT score?

A 28 ACT score makes you eligible to apply at a vast majority of schools as a competitive candidate, making it a good score. It also makes you eligible for a good amount of merit aid, which is definitely good! 

 

What colleges can I get into with a 28 ACT score?

With a 28 ACT score, you’re eligible to apply at more selective institutions as Target schools, including Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University-College Station, and Purdue University. Check out all of your options and make sure the rest of your college application just as impressive as your ACT score! 

 

What percentile is a 28 ACT score?

A 28 ACT score puts you at the 88th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 88% of all test takers. 

 

What is the SAT equivalent of a 28 ACT score?

A 28 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1310 to 1340 on the SAT

 

What scholarships can you get with a 28 ACT score?

A 28 ACT score makes you eligible for merit scholarships, as well as merit aid from potential colleges and universities. Make sure to also apply for scholarships based on your location, extracurriculars, life circumstances, passions, future majors, and more! 

 

View all scholarships

 

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Founded in 1910, Rockhurst University is a private institution with “selective admissions.” As a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, students at Rockhurst have the opportunity to tap into their faith through retreats...

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rockhurst is a great university for someone looking to make close relationships with their professors and know them on a personal level. also, meeting new people is super easy because of the size of the university and there are students from all over...

” – Anna from Overland Park, KS

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the Nazarene is a wonderful school, the professors really care about each student, they are always there to talk to. It doesn't matter if you're 24 or 50 you are a student and treated as equal, as just another person on campus. the kids are very...

” – Rebbecca from Danville, OH

Originally founded as a school for women, Southern Virginia University is a 4-year coeducational liberal arts college. Although not officially affiliated with the Mormon Church, SVU integrates the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day...

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The teachers here are amazing. They love working with students and love teaching. They are always willing to meet and give you the extra help you need. Teachers know what they are teaching and want you to succeed in their classroom and in life.

” – Laura from Pasco, WA

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North Greenville University is a conservative liberal arts school affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. The school is situated at the base of the Appalachian mountains and offers a curriculum centered around the teachings of the...

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Classes are academically based and require studious habits. This benefits the students overall. Liberal arts colleges creates a well-rounded individual.

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William Carey University is a private, Christ-centered institution located primarily in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with an additional campus in the city of Biloxi. WCU offers a variety of undergraduate programs, as well as a sizable selection of...

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William Carey University is a wonderful school for prospective students looking for a pleasant atmosphere and Christian atmosphere.
William Carey University really strives to encourage every student to never give up on their visions.
Willaim Carey...

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The Seminar Program is eye-opening and challenging. It pushes you to develop your own ideas and beliefs and challenge other students to do the same. The professors know you by name and have abundant office hours if you need help in class or just need...

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St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) is a private 4-year Catholic university that is respected globally for educating women to lead and influence. Located in St. Paul, Minnesota, St. Kate’s is the largest private women’s university in the nation and...

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The things I learn in class, I can connect to my outside life. I took a history class last year and to help me study for the final, I watched Pearl Harbor at home and made connections! It was a fun way to help me study! Believe it or not, I also...

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Spring Arbor University is a private, Christ-centered institution located in Michigan. SAU offers over 70 programs of study, including electrical engineering, nursing and sports management. At SAU, spiritual growth goes hand in hand with academic...

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The liberal arts emphasis allows you to really get a thorough knowledge of many different subjects. The professors relate the classes that are not in your major to life in general, so that you at least take one thing away from the class at the end...

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The University of Minnesota Morris is a public, liberal arts institution established two and a half hours northwest of Minneapolis. While UMM offers a variety of majors and minors, the university also offers a number of pre-professional programs and...

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The high academic quality and rigor this school has to offer supersedes any expectations I had. At Morris your professors will work with you one-on-one to make sure your are grasping the material and are doing well in the class. All classes, whether...

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Oklahoma Christian University is a private Christian liberal arts university founded in 1950 by members of the Churches of Christ. The 240-acre campus is on the north side of Oklahoma City and includes a 30,000 square foot Prince Engineering Center...

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For the technology they give you and all the things you get to do just for being a student, OC is affordable and worth every dollar of it.

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I am only a freshman here and I love it already! Academically I enjoy attending my classes. I have many friends who moan and groan about going to class and I am EAGER to do so here! I have 4 classes now in lecture halls of about 200 students but the...

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Warren Wilson College is a liberal arts school located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. Warren Wilson has two free tuition programs for new students as well as the WWC Advantage Program for students on their way out who want to...

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Formed by the merger of Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia Universities, Jefferson University is a health science and education-centered institution dedicated to preparing students for 21st century professions. Jefferson is home to 13 colleges and...

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You will use your brain at the school. But dont worry if you get stuck every teacher is there to help you. Some teachers even give ther home number so you dont have to worry about missing them during office hours

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Southwest Baptist University is a 4-year Christian college in southwest Missouri affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention. SBU confers undergraduate degrees in over 80 areas of study. As a Christian university, SBU holds biweekly chapel...

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I have been able to learn quite a bit in the past year that I have attended here. The wonderful thing about SBU is that the faculty care about you learning about life, and not just their subjects.

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Founded in 1858, Baker University is a private institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The campus is a registered arboretum and based in the rural town of Baldwin City, Kansas. Popular majors include sociology, sport and fitness...

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Mount Saint Mary College is a private liberal arts college based in Newburgh, New York. The school houses The Center on Aging and Disability Policy and The Collaborative for Equity in Literature Learning, as well as several other research centers...

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I'm a nursing major at MSMC and the first year was SO difficult. I had to learn how to manage my time really efficiently to get everything done. The more I studied, the more I realized how much I was actually learning unlike high school. The...

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Founded in 1854, Huntingdon College is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Montgomery, Alabama. Academics at Huntingdon feature a unique core curriculum which aims to educate students in the fields of fine art, biblical...

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Brooklyn college has great professors and provides an incredible learning experience.
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D’Youville University is a private, independent institution located in Buffalo, New York. All classes, seminars, and labs in the more than 50 major options at DYU are instructed by expert faculty members, not teaching assistants. Students in the...

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PROFESSORS ARE VERY INFORMATIVE AND HELPFUL.

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Originally founded as the Nebraska State Normal School, the University of Nebraska at Kearney is a 4-year public school in central Nebraska and a member of the NU system. UNK is home to four colleges granting undergraduate degrees in 170 academic...

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The classes are all small and the professors are good at teaching. I really feel like the professors know what they are talking about, one of my professors wrote the text book we use in class. Not only are the classes are small so the professor...

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Founded in 1910 by The Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist University is a Christian liberal arts college in the Oklahoma City metro area. OBU grants 10 bachelor’s degrees in 88 areas of study informed by a Christian worldview...

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I am a Piano Performance Major with and emphasis on Pedagogy. I have wanted to continue learning and developing my music talents and I have found that it is so easy to do that here at OBU. The classes are amazing! The core classes, classes specific...

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Thomas More University is a small liberal arts university with a big reputation. Thomas More is consistently ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the best regional universities in the South and ranks highest among other private and public...

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Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. This Christian institution offers specialized academic programs that include a teaching fellowship, a writing program and an honors program. The...

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The thing I love about the Millsaps curriculum is that it's interesting -I even look forward to classes everyday. I highly value the liberal arts experience because it goes beyond the flat technicalities so often taught in some subjects and...

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Affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Nazarene University is a Christian liberal arts institution in western Idaho. NNU grants bachelor’s degrees in over 60 academic areas of study. In addition, all students are required to complete a...

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Of course I learned in the classrooms, but I also learned a lot about myself and about others in the dorm, cafeteria, and at campus activities. I had to learn how to properly juggle my study time, relationships, job, cleaning and laundry, and...

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I absolutely adore the open-mindedness of the courses offered here, as well as the candor of the professors. All students have advisors that are ready and willing to meet and help students meet their academic goals. The dorms are awesome.

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Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a nationally recognized university in southwest Illinois that helps prepare students for successful careers and lives of purpose. SIUE offers more than 350 areas of study, and 90% of alumni surveyed report...

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The West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public school in the Philadelphia area and the largest institution in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. WCU is comprised of seven colleges including the College of Arts & Humanities...

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Founded by a traveling evangelist, Bob Jones University is an Evangelical Christian institution located in western South Carolina. BJU confers undergrad degrees in over 60 academic majors featuring a combination of liberal arts and Bible classes. As...

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I got to sit in a class to see how classes were run here and the professors know what they're talking about and they really care about their students.

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LeTourneau University is a private, Christian polytechnic institution situated in Longview, Texas. On top of providing education for traditional students, LETU operates education centers for nontraditional students in Longview, Dallas, and Houston. A...

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” – Choua from Fitchburg, MA

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Geneva College is a Christ-centered institution founded on the traditions of the Reformed Christian faith with a “selective” admissions process. The liberal arts college is based in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, and operates a second campus in...

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GREAT academics with a handful of amazing professors i.e. Professor Semprebon, Professor Drewniak, Professor Bacon..Forensic Science major WHOOP WHOOP=).

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Great atmosphere, lots of friendliness to go around. Beautiful campus, even if they have weird weather. Great academics, however much people like to complain. Homework is required at all colleges.

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I have had phenomenal professors who have inspired me.

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The University of Mobile is a private, Christ-centered institution established in Prichard, Alabama. Full-time undergraduate students at U Mobile are required to attend at least ten chapel services each semester. Classes at U Mobile only run from...

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I believe that I am getting a top notch education at HS-C. My professors have been interesting and helpful. Class size is just right.

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