Understanding ACT Score Requirements
The ACT is a standardized test used for college admissions in the United States. Understanding the score expectations at your target colleges can help you set realistic goals and build a balanced school list.
The "Middle 50%" ACT Range
Similar to the SAT, colleges often report the ACT score range for the middle 50% of their admitted first-year students. This gives you a great idea of what a "typical" admitted student's scores look like.
- Aiming for the 75th percentile score or higher will make you a competitive candidate.
- Falling near the 25th percentile means you'll need other parts of your application to be particularly strong.
Example ACT Composite Range for Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development
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25th - 75th percentile Composite ScoreFor Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development, this range indicates that it is a highly selective school. To be a strong candidate, you would want an ACT Composite score of 35 or higher. A score of 31 would be on the lower end of the admitted student profile.
What is a "Good" ACT Score?
- 30 or above: Generally considered very good, competitive for selective schools.
- 24-29: A solid score, good for many state universities and private colleges.
- 20-23: The national average. Meets requirements for many universities.
- Below 20: May limit options, but many schools will still be within reach.
Test-Optional Strategies
If your ACT score is below the 25th percentile for a school you're interested in, and that school is test-optional, you may consider not submitting your score.
Explore Test-Optional Admissions