The Average ACT Scores by State

Average ACT scores vary from state to state. Although the national average ACT score is 20.8, more than 1.9 million students take the ACT test! Knowing the average ACT score in your state helps you understand where you stand among students in a similar situation and what a good ACT score is for you.

What Are the Average SAT Scores by State?

What Impacts a State’s Average ACT Score?

States that require all students to take the ACT test, like North Carolina and Alabama, generally have a lower state average ACT score. This is not a reflection of the intelligence of the students, but occurs because a wider pool of students are taking the test – whether they want to or not! 

In states where the ACT is not required for all students, the students who do take the test generally score higher because they want to be there. For this reason, it’s best practice to compare states where the same or similar percentages of graduates were tested. 

Average ACT Scores by State 

State	Percent Tested	Composite Score
Alabama	100	18.9
Alaska	38	20.1
Arizona	73	19
Arkansas	100	19.3
California	23	22.6
Colorado	27	23.8
Connecticut	22	25.5
DC	32	23.5
Delaware	13	24
Florida	54	20.1
Georgia	49	21.4
Hawaii	80	19
Idaho	31	22.5
Illinois	35	24.3
Indiana	29	22.5
Iowa	66	21.6
Kansas	72	21.2
Kentucky	100	19.8
Louisiana	100	18.8
Maine	6	24.3
Maryland	28	22.3
Massachusetts	21	25.5
Michigan	19	24.4
Minnesota	95	21.4
Mississippi	100	18.4
Missouri	82	20.8
Montana	100	19.8
National	52	20.7
Nebraska	100	20
Nevada	100	17.9
New Hampshire	14	25
New Jersey	25	24.2
New Mexico	63	19.3
New York	22	24.5
North Carolina	100	19
North Dakota	96	19.9
Ohio	100	20
Oklahoma	100	18.9
Oregon	42	21.1
Pennsylvania	17	23.6
Rhode Island	12	24.7
South Carolina	78	18.8
South Dakota	75	21.6
Tennessee	100	19.4
Texas	39	20.5
Utah	100	20.3
Vermont	20	24.1
Virginia	21	24
Washington	24	22.1
West Virginia	49	20.8
Wisconsin	100	20.3
Wyoming	100	19.8

Via ACT Inc

States With the Highest Average ACT Scores

Massachusetts Average ACT Score

Massachusetts and Connecticut are tied for the highest state average ACT scores at 25.5. 

In Massachusetts, 21% of students take the ACT test. While this is not the lowest percentile of students take the test per state (only 6% of students in Maine take the ACT), the relatively low number of students tested aligns with the trend of higher test scores.

Interestingly, students in Massachusets are not required to take the SAT or given the SAT for free; the preference for the SAT reflects a cultural preference rather than a state requirement. 

Connecticut Average ACT Score

Like Massachusetts, Connecticut also has an average ACT score of 25.5. 22% of students take the ACT in Connecticut. The state requires all 11th-grade students to take the SAT (for free) on a school day, which accounts for the high average ACT test score. 

New Hampshire Average ACT Score

New Hampshire follows closely behind with an average ACT score of 25. Just 14% of students in New Hampshire take the ACT test – most likely because the SAT is required, for free, for all 11th-grade students.

How Do I Know if I Have a Good ACT Score?

If your score is on par with or above your state’s average, you should feel good about your score. That means you are performing at least in-step with your peers.

The Top 10 Colleges in Your ACT Score Range

But an even better measure of your score? How it compares to the average ACT scores at the colleges you are interested in. When picking colleges to apply to (more on that here), your ACT score should fall in the upper 75% of the college’s score range to really shine. 

How Do I Raise My ACT Score?

Perhaps you’ve realized you have some studying to do. Our online ACT study course covers everything you need to know to raise your ACT score. The course includes hundreds of practice problems, helpful animated videos, and test and study tips you won’t find here on our blog.

Learn more and enroll at www.olive-book.com!