What is the average ACT score?

If you're wondering what is the average ACT score, the short answer is 19.4. But that number is almost useless without context. We hear the same question from parents every week: "My child got a 20. Is that good?" And we have to give the frustrating but honest answer: it depends on where you live and where you apply.

Some parents are "grinding with nothing to show" on score comparison sites that give them raw numbers but no interpretation. Others feel like their child's score "won't budge" past the 20 mark despite months of effort. Before either of those things matters, you need to understand what "average" actually means on the ACT.

This guide gives you the exact 2025 numbers, state-by-state averages, and a clear explanation of why the national average can mislead you. By the end, you'll know exactly where your child stands and what to do next.

What is the average ACT score?

The average ACT composite score for the Class of 2025 is 19.4 out of 36. This figure comes from 1,380,130 students who took the ACT, according to ACT, Inc.'s 2025 Profile Report. Section averages are English 18.4, Math 18.9, Reading 20.0, and Science 19.6. Starting in September 2025, the Enhanced ACT calculates composite scores based only on English, Math, and Reading. Science is optional and reported separately.

ACT, Inc., the nonprofit test maker that has administered the ACT since 1959, publishes this data annually in its Profile Report. The 2025 numbers reflect a five-year decline. The composite average dropped from 20.3 in 2021 to 19.4 in 2025. English fell from 19.6 to 18.4. Math dropped from 19.9 to 18.9. Reading slipped from 20.9 to 20.0. Science moved from 20.4 to 19.6.

Researchers attribute the decline to pandemic-related learning loss, reduced completion of the core curriculum, and shifts in who takes the test in mandatory-testing states. If you're searching for ACT tutoring after seeing these trends, you're not alone. This is one of the most common conversations we have with new families.

What is a good ACT score?

A good ACT score is any score that meets or exceeds the middle 50% range at your target colleges. Nationally, a 20 puts you at the 53rd percentile, a 24 at the 80th, and a 28 at the 90th. For selective schools, aim for 30+. For state universities, a score between 22 and 26 is generally considered competitive. The "good" score is the one that gets you admitted and earns merit aid.

ACT College Readiness Benchmarks set specific targets by section: English 18, Math 22, Reading 22, and Science 23. Only about 20% of test takers met all four benchmarks in 2025. A peer-reviewed study in PMC found that ACT scores predict academic performance even after controlling for cognitive ability and personality, which is why colleges take these benchmarks seriously.

For a useful SAT vs ACT comparison to help you choose the right test, we have a full breakdown on the blog. For score interpretation in the college placement context, Berkeley's writing center offers a helpful breakdown.

NAT tutor Kurtis has scored both a 36 on the ACT and a 1570 on the SAT. Over 5 years of one-on-one sessions with 112+ students, he has heard every variation of score anxiety a parent can bring to an intake call. We asked him what he tells families who fixate on the national average. His take:

Pattern seen in approximately 85% of parents who contact NAT for an ACT consultation.

What is the average ACT score by state?

State ACT averages range from 17.2 in Nevada to 27.1 in Connecticut. The national average is 19.4. States with mandatory testing (100% participation), like Alabama, Mississippi, and Nevada average 17-18. States with low participation (3-8%) like California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, average 24-27. Your state's average depends heavily on who takes the test.

Data comes from ACT's official average ACT test scores by state page. Below is a selection of key states:

For the full 50-state table, visit the ACT tutoring resource hub or ACT's official state averages page linked above.

The Participation Rate Bias: Why your state's average is misleading

No competitor covers this topic, and it is the single most important concept for understanding state ACT averages.

When a state makes the ACT mandatory, every student takes the test, including students who have no plans to attend college. When a state makes the ACT optional, only motivated, college-bound students choose to take it. This creates a systematic bias in how we read state averages.

Nevada has 100% participation and averages 17.2. Connecticut has 6% participation and averages 27.1. That is a 9.9-point spread. Connecticut's average looks extraordinary, but it only reflects the most academically motivated students in the state. Nevada's average looks poor, but it reflects every student, including those who never intended to apply to college.

Here is the 3-Question Diagnostic NAT uses to help parents interpret their child's score in context:

• Question 1: What percentage of your state's graduates take the ACT? Under 20% means the average is inflated by self-selection. 20-70% is a mixed signal. Over 70% is close to the true population mean.

• Question 2: Is testing mandatory in your state? If yes, the average includes all students. If not, the average reflects only college-bound test takers.

• Question 3: What is your target college's middle 50% ACT range? This is the only comparison that actually matters for admissions decisions.

A practical example: a Wisconsin parent whose child scores 21 should feel satisfied. That score sits above the national average of 19.4 in a state where 94% of students test. An Illinois parent whose child scores 21 should ask questions. That score sits 2.1 points below Illinois's 23.1 average, which is itself inflated because only 16% of students test.

Uju Kim has worked with 60+ students on ACT prep at NAT for over 5 years. Students consistently describe her sessions as "the first time the test actually clicked." We asked her about the state average confusion she sees in families. Here is how she puts it:

Pattern seen in: approximately 60% of students from high-participation states who initially score below their state average.

Average ACT score in Illinois

Illinois averages 23.1, with only 16% of graduates taking the test. The state average is inflated compared to mandatory-testing states because only motivated, college-bound students typically take the ACT in Illinois. A student in Illinois competing against this average is competing against a self-selected group.

A score of 24+ is competitive for most Illinois state universities. Scoring 27+ opens consideration at selective schools. If your child is below 23 in Illinois and is targeting in-state schools, schedule a free consultation to map out a targeted improvement plan.

Average ACT score in Wisconsin

Wisconsin averages 19.4, with 94% of graduates tested. Because nearly every student in Wisconsin takes the ACT, the state average almost exactly mirrors the national average. A student scoring 21 here is genuinely above average, both statewide and nationally.

A score of 24+ is strong for the University of Wisconsin system and most Midwestern state schools. The participation rate context matters: Wisconsin's 19.4 means something very different than Connecticut's 27.1 because the populations being measured are fundamentally different.

Average ACT score in Ohio

Ohio averages 18.8, with 72% of graduates tested. With mandatory or near-mandatory testing for most students, Ohio's average sits slightly below the national mean of 19.4. This means the average includes a wide range of students, including those not planning to attend four-year colleges.

A score of 20+ puts your child ahead of most Ohio test takers. A score of 22+ is competitive for Ohio State and similar flagship universities. Use the 3-Question Diagnostic above to interpret your child's Ohio score in the proper context before drawing conclusions.

Is a 20 on the ACT good?

A 20 on the ACT is slightly above the national average of 19.4. It places you at approximately the 53rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than about 53% of test takers. For many state universities and less selective colleges, a 20 is competitive. Selective schools may require you to retake the test or consider test-optional policies.

A score of 20 meets the English benchmark (18) but falls short of the Math (22) and Reading (22) benchmarks. Merit aid typically starts at 24+ at most universities. Many regional state universities accept scores in the 18-22 range, and some offer conditional admission pathways.

What we see most often with students "stuck at 20" is that they keep practicing everything. They take full-length tests after full-length tests and see no improvement. The issue is usually not effort. It is targeting. Students plateau around 20 because they have not identified which specific error types account for most of their lost points.

Octavia M started at a 32 ACT and worked with NAT tutor Frances to reach a 35, with subscores of English 36, Math 35, and Science 34. Her approach was deliberate. She focused on her weakest section and let the other sections do their part. Read her full ACT 35 success story to see exactly how she did it.

Frances has been with NAT for 4 years and has worked with 31+ students on ACT prep. Students describe her approach to score plateaus as a turning point in their preparation. We asked her what she sees in students who are stuck around the 20 mark.

Pattern seen in: approximately 75% of students scoring 18-22 who report "practicing constantly but the score won't budge."

How is the ACT scored?

The ACT scores each section from 1 to 36. Your composite score is the average of your section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number. Starting in September 2025, the Enhanced ACT composite includes only English, Math, and Reading. Science is optional and reported separately. The Writing section is scored 2-12 and does not affect your composite.

This is a significant change. Students who took the ACT before September 2025 received a composite that included Science. Students testing in September 2025 or later receive a composite based on three sections. Colleges can still see Science scores if your child takes the optional section. For full details on these updates, see Compass Prep's ACT changes FAQ and the Wikipedia ACT page for historical context.

If your child is deciding between tests, our SAT tutoring page covers the full SAT format and comparison points.

What ACT score do I need for college?

Most four-year colleges accept students with scores of 18-20 or higher. Competitive state universities typically want scores of 22-26. Selective schools typically look for scores in the 28-32 range. Ivy League and top-20 schools generally see scores in the 32-36 range. Check each school's Common Data Set for exact middle 50% ranges. Test timing also affects how many retake opportunities your child has before application deadlines.

Why are ACT scores dropping?

ACT composite scores fell from 20.6 in 2020 to 19.4 in 2025, a 1.2-point decline over five years. Researchers point to pandemic learning loss, reduced test preparation, and the expansion of mandatory testing to new states as contributing factors. The trend has stabilized but has not reversed. For context on how SAT vs ACT score trends compare, see our full breakdown.

What is the ACT score range?

The ACT composite score ranges from 1 to 36. Each of the four sections also ranges from 1 to 36. The optional Writing section is scored 2-12. Most students score between 15 and 25. The top 10% of test takers score 28 or above. Only 2,958 students, representing 0.21% of test takers, achieved a perfect 36 in the Class of 2025.

ACT score percentiles and what they mean

ACT percentile scores tell you what percentage of students scored below you. A 75th-percentile score means you scored better than 75% of test-takers. ACT National Ranks are published annually by ACT, Inc.

Research supports what we see in practice. A meta-analysis in the Accelerate tutoring report found that tutoring improves student achievement by 0.29 standard deviations, equivalent to roughly four months of additional learning. Research from AIBM on high-dose tutoring found that one-on-one tutoring outperforms class-size reduction, summer school, and extended school days in measured outcomes.

If your child is below the 75th percentile for their target schools, our Ivy League tutors have score profiles and track records we can share before you commit to anything.

What to do with this information

The national average of 19.4 is a starting point, not a verdict. Here are the four steps we recommend:

1. Find your child's exact percentile using ACT National Ranks.

2. Look up the middle 50% ACT range for every target college in their Common Data Set.

3. Apply the 3-Question Diagnostic above to understand whether your state's average is a meaningful comparison point.

4. If your child is below the 25th percentile for target schools, stop practicing everything and start diagnosing specific error types.

The students who move from average to competitive are rarely the ones who work harder. They work differently. Schedule your free consultation. We will match your child with a tutor who scored 34+ and knows exactly what it takes to move from a 20 to a 27. No long-term contracts. Your first session is free.

Schedule a free consultation or read more about NAT's approach from our NAT founder.

"Your grades are now our responsibility."