A good ACT score depends on the context of the colleges you are applying to, but generally:
- The national average ACT score is about 19.8 to 21.3, so a score above this range is considered above average
- A composite score of 24 or higher places you in roughly the top 25% of test takers and is often considered a good score for many colleges
- Scores in the 27-32 range or higher are typically expected by more selective or top-tier universities
- Scores of 28 and above put you in the 90th percentile or better, which is excellent and competitive for highly selective institutions
- Scores of 34 or above are in the 99th percentile, representing a truly outstanding performance
In summary:
ACT Score Range| Percentile| Description| College Competitiveness
---|---|---|---
19-21| ~50th| Average score| Meets national average
24+| 75th| Good score| Competitive for many colleges
27-32| 85-95th| Very good to excellent| Expected by top-tier colleges
34-36| 99th| Exceptional/perfect| Highly selective institutions
Ultimately, what counts as a good ACT score depends on your target schools and goals, but aiming for 24 or above is a solid benchmark for most students
