What Is a Good ACT Score?
The average ACT composite is 19.4 (class of 2025). A 24 beats 80% of test takers, 30 is the top ~6%, and 33+ is the top 2%.
A good ACT score is above the national average of 19.4; 24+ is top 20%, 30+ is top ~6%, and 33+ is top 2%.
- National average (class of 2025)19.4
- Median score~19–20
- Top 20%24+
- Top 10%27+
- Top 2%33+
Source: ACT national ranks 2025–2026 and ACT class-of-2025 profile.
ACT percentiles, 9–36
| Composite | National rank |
|---|---|
| 36 | 100th percentile |
| 35 | 99th percentile |
| 34 | 99th percentile |
| 33 | 98th percentile |
| 32 | 97th percentile |
| 31 | 96th percentile |
| 30 | 94th percentile |
| 29 | 92th percentile |
| 28 | 91th percentile |
| 27 | 88th percentile |
| 26 | 86th percentile |
| 25 | 83th percentile |
| 24 | 80th percentile |
| 23 | 76th percentile |
| 22 | 72th percentile |
| 21 | 68th percentile |
| 20 | 63th percentile |
| 19 | 57th percentile |
| 18 | 52th percentile |
| 17 | 46th percentile |
| 16 | 40th percentile |
| 15 | 34th percentile |
| 14 | 27th percentile |
| 13 | 20th percentile |
| 12 | 12th percentile |
| 11 | 5th percentile |
| 10 | 2nd percentile |
| 9 | 1st percentile |
Official ACT ranks (percent at or below), based on 2023–2025 graduates; applies to tests taken Sep 2025–Aug 2026. Section averages, class of 2025: English 18.4, Math 18.9, Reading 20.0, Science 19.6.
Frequently asked questions
Is 24 a good ACT score?
Yes — 24 is the 80th percentile, the top fifth of test takers, and above the middle of the admitted range at most regional public universities.
What's the average ACT score?
19.4 composite for the class of 2025, across about 1.4 million (36% of U.S. graduates).
What ACT score do selective schools expect?
Highly selective schools report middle-50% ranges of roughly 32–35. A 30 (top ~6%) is competitive at most flagships.
ACT or SAT — which should I take?
Colleges accept both equally. A 24 ACT and ~1160-1190 SAT sit at similar percentiles; take whichever format suits your pacing, or a practice test of each.
Sources & methodology
Sources: ACT — National Ranks 2025–2026 · ACT — class of 2025 averages.
Ranks are ACT's official cumulative-percent table for 2025-26 score reports.