What Is a Good ACT Score for Top Universities in 2025?

Earning a good score on your ACT test can provide a crucial boost for your college applications. Knowing what a good ACT score is also helpful when building your college list and navigating your admissions strategy at test-optional schools. With that in mind, students often wonder what is a good ACT score? In this post we’ll help you gauge if you have a good ACT score — nationally or based on individual schools you’re applying to. We’ll also equip you with expert tips about superscoring your ACT and how to fix a low ACT score!

Just in the past year or two, Harvard, Yale, Brown, Dartmouth, Stanford, and the University of Texas, among others, have reinstated test requirements.

And, while some Ivies and other top schools are test optional, you're likely to get an edge if you submit a strong ACT score.

Still building your college list? It's important to understand how your ACT score can help you identify your reach, target, and safety schools.

Factors like these make it important to know what a good ACT score is for college admissions and how to interpret your ACT score.

What's a Good Overall ACT Score?

ACT scores range from 1 to 36, but there's really no "passing score." Therefore a "good score" on the ACT is based on comparisons to other test takers and your admissions goals and targets.

Let’s see a few examples…

1. A Score That Ranks You Well at Your Reach & Target Schools

A good ACT score is one that allows you to rank well among other applicants to the same school.

For this goal, scoring at or above the 50th percentile means that your score was high enough to rank in the top half of all applicants to that school.

That’s not bad, but you probably agree that it’s not too impressive either.

A "good score" could be one that puts you in the 75th percentile — top 25% of all test takers — at your target schools, or even better at your reach schools if possible.

If you’re applying to a highly competitive school, this could mean scoring 32 or higher, which is the 90th percentile nationally, so no small feat!

2. A Score of 20 — A Good Score Nationally

Another gauge of a good ACT score is how well you score nationally — compared to other test-takers across the US.

A score around 20 will typically put in or near the 50th percentile (meaning your score is the same or higher than 50% of other test takers).

National averages are based on all US test-takers of course — a far larger and less competitive pool of test-takers compared to those who apply to say Harvard — but scoring at or above the 50th percentile nationally highlights your overall all academic readiness for college.

It would be interesting to know what the average ACT score is among all international students too, for comparison, but ACT does not provide this information. (The national average cited above is a national average among US test-takers.)

What's a Good ACT Score for Top Universities?

Because most students applying to top-ranked universities and colleges will generally score much higher, scoring at the national average is in many cases not a competitive score for admissions.

Generally, an ACT score that’s competitive across a range of leading institutions, will be between 28 and 36 — a score in the 90th percentile nationally.

Ivy League Universities

Keeping in mind that a good score in a competitive admissions process is one that puts you in the 75th percentile compared to other applicants, to the same school, here's a look at the ACT scores that correspond to this higher ranger (75th percentile) vs. the lower range of applicant scores (25th percentile).

A good ACT score for Ivy League universities is typically between 34 and 36 based on this data (yea, it’s tough out there…). Put another way, this means you need to achieve a score in the top 3-4% or above nationally to have a good ACT score for the most highly competitive universities.

But, also keep in mind that these scores are representative of most applicants, not every single one. Your ACT score is only one component among many in a holistic admissions process.

Top US Non-Ivies

Finding Percentile Scores for Your Colleges

Looking for the percentile scores for admitted students at other universities? Wondering how to find them? Try this…

• Option 1: Check the admissions information pages on the school’s website.
• Option 2: Look up the school’s most recent Common Data Set (CDS) and find the section reporting information about SAT/ACT scores of admitted students. Note: if the school is test-optional, you should also be able to see what % of admitted students submitted an SAT score or an ACT score.

How Is Your ACT Score Calculated?

The ACT test is segmented into four subject-area exams (each multiple choice):

• English
• Mathematics
• Reading
• Science

Your final ACT score — or “composite score” — is an average of your score on each subject area.

There is no penalty for wrong answers or guessing.

Here is the 3-step scoring process:

1. Raw Score Calculations: A count of the number of questions you answered correctly on each subject area test, with no penalty for wrong answers or guessing.
2. Scaled Scores: Raw scores for each section are converted to a corresponding “scale score” across a range, from a low of 1 to a high of 36. According to the ACT, “Scale scores have the same meaning for all the different forms of the ACT Test, no matter which date a test was taken.”
3. Composite Score: Your overall ACT score is the average of each of the four scale scores (one for each subject area), rounded to the nearest whole number.

When viewing an ACT Student Score Report, you’ll see additional score breakdowns by subject area strands or themes that help you identify how well you scored on specific skills or learning objectives within that subject area.

What Is Superscoring?

Superscoring is a practice allowed by many colleges and universities, but not all.

If you make multiple attempts to improve your ACT scores, superscoring allows you to report only your best subscores across different subsections (English, math, science, reading).

This means superscoring can boost your composite score since you'll select only the highest subscores from each score report.

This example is based on two attempts. By superscoring the student can report the higher of the two scores for each section (English, math, etc.) and can also report the slightly higher composite score (31, instead of 30)!

Isn't superscoring awesome? It is!

But remember, to get the most out of it you need to take the ACT two or more times and use those retakes as opportunities to boost as many of your subscores as you can.

Getting Started With the ACT

Just getting started with the ACT?

A good way to dive in is to take a short diagnostic practice test. Find out what the test format is like and explore which ACT subject areas you most need to improve in.

Next, map out your test prep schedule. You may want to use a "planning backwards" approach after looking at potential test dates. This way you can schedule your test early (to ensure there's space available) and also think about leaving time for test practice and subject review.

Consider your larger timeline and if it will allow you do at least one or two retakes.

Identify the right level of test review and practice resources, such as additional ACT.org online practice tests, ACT test prep books, or expert ACT tutoring.

How To Fix a Low ACT Score

Falling short of your goal on the ACT? I promise you're not alone.

Lot's of students struggle with standardized tests, but there's also good evidence that a good program of study, practice, and exam retakes will often pay off.

Here's some tips for boosting your own ACT scores:

1. Retake the Exam

Many students find that their scores improve on a second or even third attempt.

Get Familiar with Test Pacing and Formats. The first time you take the ACT, it’s often a learning experience. You get a sense of the test format, the types of questions asked, and the pacing required. This increased familiarity will often help you boost your score on subsequent retakes.

Study, Review, and Practice Between Retakes. By leaving a few months between each retake, you'll also give yourself time to review subject areas where your scores are lower and take additional practice tests.

Another advantage of retaking the ACT is the opportunity to benefit from superscoring, which can be a huge benefit.

Read our full guide on How to Study for the ACT.

2. Hire tutors

Collaborating with expert tutors can significantly enhance your ACT preparation experience. Here’s how:

• Expert tutors bring specialized knowledge and experience to tailor your ACT preparation plan.
• They assess your initial skills through diagnostic tests and customize a study schedule to your skills.
• Tutors teach you how to approach different question types, manage time effectively during each section, and reduce test anxiety through strategic preparation techniques.

Book a free consultation to find out how easy it is to work with our expert ACT tutors and achieve a score beyond your expectations!

3. Consider the SATs

That's right... Consider switching from the ACT to the SAT. If the ACT isn’t yielding the results you hoped for, it might be worth considering. The two tests have slightly different formats and may play to different strengths.

For example, the ACT has a component devoted to Science, but the SAT doesn't.

Also while the ACT has more straightforward (less complex) questions, the ACT often allows less time per question.

As for Math, if you’re good at more complex word problems while less skilled in visual problem solving and geometry, the SAT math component might give you an edge compared to the ACT math component.

Read our in-depth comparison: SAT vs ACT.

Final Thoughts

Remember that a good ACT score really depends on how your score compares to other test-takers, and what your goals are.

While a composite score above 20 puts you in pretty good company based on national averages, you'll want a much higher composite score if you're applying to an Ivy League school or similarly competitive institution.

For competitive schools generally, a score of 28 or above is a great goal.

For the really competitive schools, plan well ahead because you'll want to try and earn a higher score, between 32 and 36 if possible.

Getting support is the best way, hands down, to get better results. Leverage our free online ACT practice tests, or find out how to connect with our tutoring services to sharpen your skills.

Already got your score in hand? Utilize our college admissions calculator to tailor your college list.

For more personalized guidance or problem solving, schedule time for a free feedback session with a Crimson Strategist. You might be surprised to discover the difference personalized insights can make!

Key Resources & Further Reading

• Join our free webinars on US university applications
• Free eBooks and guides to help with the college application process