University Requirements

ACT Score Ranges at 50+ Universities (2026)

25th–75th percentile ACT composite scores for admitted students at Ivy League and top 50 US universities, with test-optional policies, section score context, and what to do if your score falls short.

Last updated: 2026 · Reference table

Understanding ACT Score Ranges

Universities report the "middle 50%" of ACT composite scores among admitted students — the 25th to 75th percentile range. This tells you where the bulk of admitted students scored, not a hard cutoff for admission.

The ACT composite is scored 1–36, with the national average around 19–20. Most selective universities see applicant pools where the average is above 30. At Ivy League schools, the 25th percentile is typically 34–35 — meaning 75% of admitted students scored at least 34.

34–36

Ivy League 25th–75th

Harvard/MIT: 35–36 range

32–36

Top 25 universities

Most require or strongly prefer 33+

27–35

Top 25–50 universities

Wide range; many test-optional

ACT Composite Ranges by University (50+ Universities)

Scores below reflect the middle 50% of composite scores for the most recent admitted class. "Test Free" universities (UC system) do not use scores even if submitted.

University	Location	25th %ile	75th %ile	Mid 50%	Test Policy
Harvard University	Cambridge, MA	35	36	35–36	Required
MIT	Cambridge, MA	35	36	35–36	Required
Stanford University	Stanford, CA	34	36	34–36	Required
Yale University	New Haven, CT	35	36	35–36	Required
Princeton University	Princeton, NJ	34	36	34–36	Required
Columbia University	New York, NY	34	36	34–36	Required
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia, PA	34	36	34–36	Required
Brown University	Providence, RI	34	36	34–36	Required
Dartmouth College	Hanover, NH	34	36	34–36	Required
Cornell University	Ithaca, NY	34	35	34–35	Required
Duke University	Durham, NC	34	36	34–36	Required
Northwestern University	Evanston, IL	34	36	34–36	Required
Johns Hopkins University	Baltimore, MD	34	36	34–36	Required
Vanderbilt University	Nashville, TN	34	36	34–36	Required
Rice University	Houston, TX	34	36	34–36	Required
Washington University in St. Louis	St. Louis, MO	34	36	34–36	Required
Notre Dame	Notre Dame, IN	33	36	33–36	Required
Georgetown University	Washington, DC	32	35	32–35	Required
Emory University	Atlanta, GA	32	35	32–35	Test Optional
Tufts University	Medford, MA	33	35	33–35	Test Optional
Carnegie Mellon University	Pittsburgh, PA	33	35	33–35	Required
Wake Forest University	Winston-Salem, NC	30	34	30–34	Test Optional
Tulane University	New Orleans, LA	30	34	30–34	Test Optional
University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley, CA	29	35	29–35	Test Free
University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles, CA	28	35	28–35	Test Free
UC San Diego	La Jolla, CA	27	34	27–34	Test Free
UC Davis	Davis, CA	25	32	25–32	Test Free
University of Michigan	Ann Arbor, MI	32	35	32–35	Required
University of Virginia	Charlottesville, VA	31	35	31–35	Test Optional
University of North Carolina	Chapel Hill, NC	30	34	30–34	Test Optional
University of Texas at Austin	Austin, TX	27	33	27–33	Required
University of Wisconsin–Madison	Madison, WI	28	33	28–33	Test Optional
University of Florida	Gainesville, FL	27	33	27–33	Required
Georgia Tech	Atlanta, GA	31	35	31–35	Required
Boston University	Boston, MA	31	35	31–35	Test Optional
New York University	New York, NY	30	34	30–34	Test Optional
University of Southern California	Los Angeles, CA	31	35	31–35	Required
Northeastern University	Boston, MA	33	35	33–35	Test Optional
Purdue University	West Lafayette, IN	24	33	24–33	Test Optional
Ohio State University	Columbus, OH	27	33	27–33	Test Optional
Penn State University	University Park, PA	26	32	26–32	Test Optional
University of Maryland	College Park, MD	31	34	31–34	Test Optional
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Champaign, IL	28	34	28–34	Required
Rutgers University	New Brunswick, NJ	26	32	26–32	Test Optional
University of Minnesota	Minneapolis, MN	27	32	27–32	Test Optional
Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	24	30	24–30	Test Optional
Indiana University	Bloomington, IN	24	31	24–31	Test Optional
University of Pittsburgh	Pittsburgh, PA	29	33	29–33	Test Optional
Case Western Reserve University	Cleveland, OH	31	34	31–34	Required
Lehigh University	Bethlehem, PA	29	33	29–33	Test Optional
University of Connecticut	Storrs, CT	26	31	26–31	Test Optional

Note: Ranges can shift year to year. Verify current data from the university's Common Data Set (CDS) filing, which is publicly available on each school's institutional research page.

Section Scores That Matter

The ACT has four section scores: English (1–36), Mathematics (1–36), Reading (1–36), and Science (1–36). Most universities look primarily at the composite, but section scores can matter for specific programs.

Section score expectations by field

Programme Type	English	Math	Reading	Science	Notes
STEM / CS / Engineering	Moderate	High	Moderate	High	Math and Science scores heavily scrutinized
Pre-Med / Life Sciences	Moderate	High	Moderate	Very High	Science section seen as relevant signal
Humanities / English	Very High	Moderate	Very High	Moderate	English and Reading are primary indicators
Social Sciences	High	Moderate	High	Moderate	Balanced; Reading especially important
Business	Moderate	High	Moderate	Moderate	Math section signals quantitative readiness
Education	High	Moderate	High	Low–Moderate	Communication skills emphasized

STEM programmes and Math

Engineering and CS programs at schools like Georgia Tech and Purdue often pay close attention to the ACT Math section. A composite of 32 with Math of 35 is viewed more favorably for a CS program than a 32 with Math of 30.

Humanities and Reading/English

English, History, and Social Science programs value strong ACT English and Reading scores. A composite of 32 with English 35 and Reading 34 is a strong signal for humanities applicants.

Pre-med and Science

ACT Science does not test subject knowledge — it tests data interpretation and reasoning. Pre-med and natural science applicants should aim for a Science score at or above their composite. Medical school admissions (MCAT) is separate and more important than ACT Science for the long term.

Should You Submit ACT Scores to Test-Optional Schools?

Submit at or above the 50th percentile: If your ACT composite is at or above the median of the admitted class, submit it. It helps.
Do not submit below the 25th percentile: If your score is well below the 25th percentile, withhold it and focus on other application strengths.
Consider your major: STEM applicants with a high Math section often benefit from submitting even if composite is slightly below median.
Scholarships require scores: Merit aid and departmental scholarships often require ACT/SAT even at test-optional schools. Check scholarship requirements separately from admissions requirements.
First-generation students with high scores: Submitting a strong score contextualizes your academic ability, which may not be fully apparent from school name or GPA alone.

Understanding Test-Free (UC System)

UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, and other UC campuses have moved to "Test Free" — ACT scores are not considered even if you submit them. For these schools specifically, ACT scores play no role in the admissions decision.

How to Research Requirements: Step-by-Step

1
Find the Common Data Set for each school
The Common Data Set (CDS) is published annually by every federally-funded college. Section C contains ACT composite 25th and 75th percentile scores for admitted students. Search '[School name] Common Data Set [year]' to find it.
2
Check the class profile page
Most admissions offices publish a 'Class Profile' or 'Class of [year]' page showing test score ranges, GPA ranges, and other statistics for the most recently admitted class. This is usually the clearest presentation of the data.
3
Verify the current test policy
Test-optional policies have been in flux. Some schools that went optional during COVID have reverted to requiring tests. Always check the current year's policy from the official admissions page, not third-party sites.
4
Research scholarship score requirements
Merit scholarships at many state universities have hard score cutoffs. For example, a state university might admit students with any test score under test-optional policy, but award merit scholarships only to students with ACT 28+. Check the scholarship office page separately.
5
Check the superscoring policy
Many schools now superscore the ACT. Check each school's policy on its FAQ or testing page. If a school superscores, you can plan multiple retakes focused on specific sections.

What to Do If Your Score Is Below Range

For test-required schools

Retake strategically: Identify which sections are pulling your composite down and focus your preparation there. A single section improvement of 3–4 points can shift your composite meaningfully.
Consider whether the school is the right fit: If your composite is more than 3 points below the 25th percentile, evaluate honestly whether this is a reach worth pursuing or whether resources are better spent on schools where you are more competitive.
Focus on ACT vs. SAT: Take a full-length practice SAT. Some students score 50–100 points higher on SAT relative to their ACT-equivalent score. The tests have different structures, and you may simply be better suited to one over the other.

For test-optional schools

Withhold your score and strengthen other components: A below-range score at a test-optional school is better withheld. Redirect energy to essays, activities, and recommendations.
Recognize what you need to compensate: Research shows test-optional admits without scores have significantly higher GPAs than the median admit who submitted scores. Plan accordingly.

ACT Score Choice Strategy

ACT allows you to choose which test dates to send to colleges. Here is how to use this strategically:

Standard vs. superscoring schools

For schools that superscore: Send all dates that contribute to your best section scores, even if individual dates had lower composites. The superscore is what counts.
For schools that consider only single-sitting scores: Send only your best single-sitting date (not a superscore-generating combination).
For schools that require all dates: A small number of schools require you to submit all ACT dates. Their policies are noted on their testing requirements pages.

How many attempts is too many?

There is no universal policy on how many attempts is too many. Most schools do not penalize for multiple attempts. Sending 5–6 test dates with gradual improvement shows persistence. Sending 6 dates with no improvement may raise questions. Focus on quality of preparation between sittings.

ACT Strategy Tips

Target your score range

Identify the 25th percentile for your top-choice schools. That is your minimum target. Add 1–2 points as a buffer. For Ivies, aim for 34+. For most top-50 schools, 30+ puts you in a competitive range.

ACT vs. SAT: which to take

Take practice tests for both. The ACT's Science section and tighter time pressure suit students who process information quickly. The SAT has more text-heavy reading passages and a calculator-allowed Math section. Students who do better on ACT practice should take the ACT.

Superscoring and multiple attempts

Many universities now superscore the ACT — taking your best composite from multiple sittings or building a super-composite from your best section scores across attempts. Check each school's policy and use it to plan focused preparation for your weakest section.

State-day ACT and scholarships

In states where the ACT is administered to all 11th graders (Michigan, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and others), the state-funded test can also qualify you for merit scholarships. Treat the state-day ACT as seriously as a Saturday national test.

Practice toward your target ACT composite.

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