See the latest average ACT score (19.2 composite), section averages, full percentile table, scores by state, historical trends, and what you need for competitive colleges. Updated for 2026.
The national average ACT composite score for the class of 2026 is 19.2, based on approximately 1.46 million test-takers. That number has been declining slowly over the past decade, down from 21.0 in 2015; it held at 19.4 for the classes of 2024 and 2025 before slipping to 19.2.
This guide puts that average in context: what the section averages look like, how scores vary by state, where you fall in the percentile rankings, and what scores competitive colleges actually expect.
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The most recent data comes from ACT's graduating class report for 2026.
Notice that the average student barely meets the English benchmark (18) and falls short of Math (22), Reading (22), and Science (23). Only 23% of test-takers met all three College Readiness Benchmarks in English, Math, and Reading, and 45% met none of them.
For a deeper look at how the ACT is scored and what the 1-36 scale means, see our ACT score range guide.
Your percentile tells you the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below your score. The table below is from ACT's official national ranks for 2026-2027.
Key takeaways: a 21 puts you at the 68th percentile (above average). A 24 reaches the 80th percentile. A 30 hits the 94th percentile. And a 34 or higher lands in the 99th percentile.
Want to check where your score falls? Use our score calculator.
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State averages vary dramatically, primarily because of participation rates. States where the ACT is mandatory (100% of students tested) have lower averages because the full range of students takes the test. States where the ACT is optional tend to have higher averages because only motivated, college-bound students self-select to take it. See the full average ACT score by state rankings for all 50 states plus DC with participation rates.
The pattern is clear: every state in the bottom group has mandatory testing. When all students take the ACT regardless of college plans, the average drops. When only self-selected, college-bound students take it, the average rises. Keep this in mind when comparing your score to state averages.
Full state-by-state data is available from ACT's official state scores page.
The national average has dropped 1.8 points since 2015. The sharpest single-year decline was 2021 to 2022 (a 0.5-point drop), widely attributed to pandemic-era learning disruption. It held at 19.4 in 2024 and 2025, then slipped to 19.2 for the class of 2026.
Sources: NCES Fast Facts (through 2023), ACT graduating class reports (2024 to 2026).
The "right" score depends entirely on where you are applying. Here are approximate ACT ranges for different college tiers based on recent admissions data:
These are general ranges. Always check the specific school's Common Data Set or admissions page for their most recent middle 50% ACT scores. If you are deciding between the ACT and SAT, our SAT vs ACT comparison can help.
For the class of 2024, females scored slightly higher on composite (19.7 vs 19.4 for males), driven by stronger English (+1.0) and Reading (+0.9) performance. Males scored higher on Math (+0.6) and Science (+0.2). This pattern has been consistent for many years.
ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks predict a 50% probability of earning a B or higher in the corresponding college course. For the class of 2023 (most detailed data available):
Math and Science remain the sections where the largest share of students fall below the benchmark. If you are below the Math benchmark, targeted practice can make a significant difference. Our ACT Math prep guide covers the topics and strategies that matter most.
Starting in 2025, the enhanced ACT calculates the composite from three sections (English, Math, Reading) instead of four. Science became optional and no longer affects the composite. ACT has stated that composites calculated with and without Science are "comparable" and "interchangeable," but no early data comparing the two approaches has been published yet. ACT's class of 2026 report still mixes the two: it counts each graduate's most recent test from the past three years, and most tests taken before September 2025 include Science in the composite.
Ready to see where you stand? Take a practice quiz covering the same skills tested on the ACT, or explore our section guides for English, Math, Reading, and Science.
The national average ACT composite for the class of 2026 is 19.2. The 50th percentile falls at approximately 18.
Any composite above 20 is above the national average. A 21 puts you at the 68th percentile, meaning you scored higher than about two-thirds of test-takers.
It depends on the school. For state flagships, aim for 24 to 30. For top 50 schools, target 28 to 33. For Ivy League and top 10, you generally need 33 or higher. Check each school's admissions data for their middle 50% range.
The national average has dropped from 21.0 in 2015 to 19.2 in 2026. Factors include more states mandating the ACT (bringing in students who otherwise would not take it), pandemic-era learning loss (the sharpest drop was in 2022), and changing student demographics. The decline appears to have stabilized.
Yes. States where the ACT is mandatory (like Nevada, Mississippi, Alabama) average around 17 to 18. States where it is optional (like Connecticut, Massachusetts, California) average around 26 to 27. The difference is almost entirely explained by participation rate, not educational quality.
Under the enhanced ACT (2025+), the composite is calculated from English, Math, and Reading only (Science is optional). ACT states that scores are comparable across the legacy and enhanced formats, but no early comparative data has been published yet.
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