Like the SAT, a "good" ACT score only makes sense relative to your target schools. A 26 is an excellent score for one university and a reach for another. This guide breaks down what counts as a good ACT composite by national percentile, by college selectivity tier, and by individual section, so you can judge your score against the right benchmark instead of a single national number.
The national average ACT composite for recent graduating classes is approximately 19.5. Scoring above 20 puts you above the national median — but most students researching "what is a good ACT score" are targeting schools well above the national average, where the relevant comparison is each school's own middle 50% range, not the national mean.
| Tier | Typical Middle 50% | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Highly selective | 34–36 | MIT, Harvard, Stanford |
| Selective | 30–34 | UC Berkeley, Georgetown, Tufts |
| Competitive | 25–30 | University of Oregon, Drexel, DePaul |
| Most 4-year publics | 19–25 | Many state flagship schools |
| Open-access | No minimum | Community colleges |
These ranges reflect the 25th–75th percentile of enrolled students, not a hard cutoff. A score below a school's 25th percentile makes that school a bigger reach on the test-score dimension of your application specifically — it doesn't disqualify you outright if the rest of your application is strong.
Want your exact composite and percentile from your section scores?
Use the ACT Score Calculator →A 26 composite could mean four evenly balanced section scores, or it could mean a 30 in English and Reading paired with a 22 in Math and Science. These two profiles look very different to admissions committees, especially at schools with strong STEM programs where Math and Science scores get extra informal weight, or liberal arts programs that lean toward English and Reading strength. Some schools also use section scores directly for course placement — a 28 in Math might place you into calculus regardless of your composite.
English tests grammar, punctuation, and rhetorical skills at a fast pace (75 questions in 45 minutes). Math covers pre-algebra through basic trigonometry, with no guessing penalty and calculator use allowed throughout. Reading rewards speed as much as comprehension — four passages in 35 minutes. Science tests data interpretation, not memorized science content — many students underestimate how much this section rewards careful reading of graphs and tables rather than prior science knowledge.
A "good" section score is relative to your intended major the same way it is on the SAT: quantitative programs tend to weigh Math and Science more heavily in an informal read, even though the official composite treats every section equally.
Virtually all US colleges accept both tests equally, with no preference given to either. The ACT includes a dedicated Science section and moves at a faster overall pace; the SAT leans more on extended reading passages and data interpretation without a separate Science section. Taking a full-length practice test of each is the most reliable way to determine which format suits you — many students score meaningfully better, in percentile terms, on one test than the other.
The same framework that applies to the SAT applies here: if your composite sits at or above a school's published 25th percentile, submitting generally strengthens your application. If you're meaningfully below that threshold, going test-optional at that specific school may be the stronger move, letting your GPA and coursework carry more weight. Between the 25th and 50th percentile, it's a genuine judgment call based on the strength of the rest of your file.
Many merit scholarship programs set specific ACT cutoffs. A composite of 28+ frequently unlocks meaningful merit aid at mid-tier private universities, while 33+ is often the threshold for the most competitive full-tuition or full-ride programs at flagship state schools. Thresholds vary significantly by institution — always check each target school's specific scholarship page rather than assuming a national standard, since a 30 that qualifies for a large award at one school may fall just below the cutoff at another.
Many schools that accept the ACT also superscore it, combining your best section scores across multiple sittings into a new composite. A retake is generally worth pursuing when your practice test scores under timed conditions run notably above your official composite, or when your weakest section has improved substantially since your last attempt. Most students see their biggest single jump between a first and second sitting — gains beyond a third attempt tend to be smaller without significant additional prep in between.
Is a 24 a good ACT score? A 24 is above the national average and places you in roughly the top 27% of test-takers — solid for most state universities, though below the middle 50% range at selective and highly selective schools.
Is a 30 ACT score competitive for selective schools? Yes — a 30 places you in roughly the top 7% nationally and falls within or near the middle 50% range for many selective (top 50) universities, though below the typical range at the most highly selective schools.
What ACT score do you need for the Ivy League? Most Ivy League admits score in the 34–36 range. Scores below this can still be competitive if paired with an otherwise exceptional application.
Is the ACT easier than the SAT? Neither test is inherently easier — they emphasize different skills (faster pace and a dedicated Science section on the ACT; more extended reading and data analysis on the SAT). Individual students often perform better on one than the other, which is why taking a practice test of each is worth doing before committing.
ACT Score Calculator — calculate your composite and percentile from section scores.
SAT Percentile Calculator — see your national ranking if you're deciding between tests.
What Is a Good SAT Score? — the same benchmarks for the SAT.