No. It depends on the student’s college list and the rest of their application.
What Is a Good ACT Score?
Written by Ascend Academic mentors—students from top universities helping others succeed.
A good ACT score is one that supports your student’s college goals. That means looking at percentiles and school-specific data.
Good Depends on Goals
Check the 25th–75th percentile score ranges for the schools your student cares about. Landing in or above that range puts them in the mix. See our ACT score percentiles for how to read your report.
Sample Target Ranges by School Tier
Every college publishes its own ranges. This table offers a rough framework—verify with each school's latest admitted-student data.
| School tier (example) | Approximate competitive ACT composite |
|---|---|
| Ivy League / ultra-selective | ~33–36 |
| Top 25 national universities | ~31–35 |
| Top 50 national universities | ~28–33 |
Set a Target
Pick one target (or a small range) and build a prep plan. ACT tutoring can tailor practice to that target. See also how to improve your ACT score.
FAQ
Many students improve with consistent prep. Focus on a clear plan and progress over time.
Written by Ascend Academic mentors
Our resources are written by Ascend Academic mentors—students from top universities helping others succeed. Learn more on our team page.
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