Jump to a section
The national average, by section
| Score | National average |
|---|---|
| Composite | 19.4 |
| English | 18.4 |
| Math | 18.9 |
| Reading | 20.0 |
| Science | 19.6 |
Source: ACT average scores by state, graduating class of 2025, which reports that 36% of graduates were tested. ACT's state averages page gives 19.4 for 2024 (ACT).
Why sources report different averages
- Different years: NCES lists Composite averages from 20.8 in 1995 to 19.5 in 2023, based on graduates' most recent ACT score.
- Different groups: ACT's averages cover each graduating class, while its percentile table covers the classes of 2024 to 2026 combined (ACT national ranks).
- State participation: where every student tests, averages are lower. For the class of 2024, ACT lists Wyoming (100% tested) at 19.1, South Dakota (58% tested) at 21.1 and the District of Columbia (17% tested) at 26.7. ACT's advice is to compare states with similar percentages tested (ACT average scores by state).
How your score compares with the average
An average is only one reference point. Using ACT's current national ranks:
- a 19 is at the 58th rank and a 20 at the 63rd
- a 22 is at the 72nd, so it's above average
- a 25 is at the 83rd
The good ACT score guide shows every score's rank, and the practice-test score calculator gives yours from practice-test answers.
College readiness benchmarks
ACT also reports how many students meet its benchmark scores. For the class of 2024: 51% met the English benchmark (18), 29% the Math benchmark (22), 40% the Reading benchmark (22) and 30% the Science benchmark (23) (ACT).
What other guides say
Published sources mostly differ on which year they quote: ACT's 2024 figures and ACT's 2025 report give 19.4, while NCES shows 19.5 for 2023 and higher figures for earlier years. Every figure on this page is labeled with its year and source.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average ACT score?
The national average Composite is 19.4, reported by ACT for 2024 and for the graduating class of 2025.
What is the average ACT score by section?
For the graduating class of 2025, ACT reports averages of 18.4 in English, 18.9 in Math, 20.0 in Reading and 19.6 in Science.
Is a 22 above average on the ACT?
Yes. A 22 is above the national average of 19.4 and sits at the 72nd national rank on ACT's current table.
Why is my state's average different?
States where every student tests usually have lower averages than states where fewer students choose to test. ACT recommends comparing states with similar percentages of tested graduates.
Related guides
Sources and how this page is built
How this page is built
Research current as of:
Cedrick Reese compiled this page for TutoringForAct.com from ACT's 2025 average-scores report, its state averages page for the class of 2024, its score guide and national ranks, and NCES's Digest of Education Statistics. Each average is labeled with its year and source because the figures differ by year and group. The page is updated when ACT publishes each new graduating-class report.
Sources
- Average ACT Scores by State, Graduating Class of 2025 (ACT)
- Average ACT Test Scores by State (ACT)
- Fast Facts: ACT scores (NCES)
- ACT Test Score Percentiles and National Ranks (ACT)
ACT® is a registered trademark of ACT Education Corp., which is not affiliated with and does not endorse this site. ACT policies, fees and score tables change; check ACT.org before you register or apply.