Understanding ACT percentiles helps you set realistic college admissions goals. Here's what your composite score means and what competitive scores look like.
The ACT is scored on a 1–36 composite scale. Here's what those numbers actually mean for college admissions.
2026 ACT Percentile Breakdown
| Composite | Percentile | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | 99th+ | Perfect score |
| 34 | 99th | Highly competitive for Ivy League |
| 32 | 96th | Strong for top-25 schools |
| 30 | 93rd | Competitive for top-50 schools |
| 27 | 85th | Above average — solid for many schools |
| 24 | 74th | Average for college-bound students |
| 21 | 57th | Below average for selective schools |
| 18 | 38th | May limit options at selective schools |
What Colleges Expect
College admissions have become increasingly test-optional, but strong ACT scores still help — especially for merit scholarships:
- Ivy League / Top 10: 34–36 (when submitted)
- Top 25 schools: 31–34
- Top 50 schools: 28–32
- State flagships: 25–30
- Merit scholarship thresholds: Often 30+ for significant awards
The Scholarship Factor
Even at test-optional schools, submitting a strong ACT score can unlock merit scholarships. Many state universities offer automatic scholarships at certain ACT thresholds — sometimes worth $10,000–$40,000 over four years.
Section Scores Matter
Colleges look at section scores too, especially for specific programs:
- STEM programs: Math and Science sections weighted more heavily
- Humanities programs: English and Reading sections matter more
- Engineering: Math score of 30+ is often expected
Improving Your Score
The ACT is very learnable — most students can improve 3–5 points with structured preparation. Adaptive courses like Wizeprep ACT [blocked] help target your weakest sections for efficient improvement.
For a complete comparison of prep options, see our Best ACT Prep Courses [blocked] rankings.