ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Iowa Colleges

A Side-by-Side Comparison of ACT Admissions Data for Iowa Colleges

Upper Iowa University Andres Center for Business & Education
Upper Iowa University Andres Center for Business & Education. SheilaJMiller / Wikimedia Commons
By
Allen Grove
Allen Grove
College Admissions Expert
  • Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
  • B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT
Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college.
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Updated on March 18, 2020

The table below can help you figure out which Iowa colleges and universities are a good match for your ACT scores. Admissions standards vary widely from highly selective colleges to schools that accept the great majority of applicants. The side-by-side comparison chart below shows ACT scores for the middle 50% of enrolled students.

Iowa Colleges ACT Score Comparison (mid 50%)

(Learn what these numbers mean)

Composite 25% Composite 75% English 25% English 75% Math 25% Math 75%
Briar Cliff University Test-Optional Admissions Test-Optional Admissions Test-Optional Admissions Test-Optional Admissions Test-Optional Admissions Test-Optional Admissions
Central College 21 26 20 25 20 26
Clarke University 20 25 19 24 18 25
Coe College 22 28 21 28 22 27
Cornell College 23 29 23 30 23 28
Dordt College 22 27 20 28 21 27
Drake University 25 30 24 32 24 29
Graceland University 18 24 17 23 17 24
Grand View University 18 23 16 23 17 24
Grinnell College 30 33 30 35 28 33
Iowa State 22 28 21 28 22 28
Loras College 20 25 20 25 18 25
Luther College 23 28 22 29 22 28
Morningside College 20 26 19 26 18 26
Mount Mercy University 18 24 17 22 17 24
Northwestern College 21 28 20 27 21 28
St. Ambrose University 20 25 20 25 19 25
Simpson College 21 27 20 27 19 27
University of Dubuque 17 22 15 22 16 23
University of Iowa 23 28 22 29 22 28
University of Northern Iowa 20 25 19 25 18 25
Upper Iowa University 17 24 16 23 17 24
Wartburg College 21 26 20 27 20 27

* Most data from the National Center for Educational Statistics

If your scores fall within or above these ranges, you're on target for admission. Keep in mind that 25% of enrolled students have scores below those listed; if your scores are low, don't give up! In some cases, it's possible to retake the exam, and then resubmit your scores to the schools you are applying to.

Remember that ACT scores are just one part of the application. The admissions officers at Iowa's more selective colleges will also want to see a strong academic record, a winning essay, meaningful extracurricular activities and good letters of recommendation. Some students with a strong application (but low scores) are sometime admitted to these schools; some students with a weak application (but higher scores) are not accepted. 

Click on the schools' names in the table above to visit a comprehensive and helpful profile.

To learn more about the ACT needed for different types of schools, check out these articles:

ACT Comparison Charts: the Ivy League | top universities | top liberal arts colleges | more top liberal arts | top public universities | top public liberal arts colleges | University of California campuses | Cal State campuses | SUNY campuses | More ACT charts

ACT Tables for Other States: AL | AK | AZ | AR | CA | CO | CT | DE | DC | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV | WI | WY

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Grove, Allen. "ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Iowa Colleges." ThoughtCo, Nov. 25, 2020, thoughtco.com/act-score-comparison-for-admission-to-iowa-colleges-788723. Grove, Allen. (2020, November 25). ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Iowa Colleges. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/act-score-comparison-for-admission-to-iowa-colleges-788723 Grove, Allen. "ACT Score Comparison for Admission to Iowa Colleges." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/act-score-comparison-for-admission-to-iowa-colleges-788723 (accessed March 30, 2023).