Is an 18 a Good ACT Score? Understanding Your Results and College Options

Are you feeling a little lost when it comes to your ACT scores? Don't worry, because today we're going to break down ACT scores and help you understand what they mean for your college application process. You’ve answered the questions and we’ve scored the results.

Understanding Your ACT Score Report

First, we counted the number of questions on each test that you answered correctly. We did not deduct any points for incorrect answers. Your Composite score and each test score (English, mathematics, reading, science) range from 1 (low) to 36 (high). Each reporting category includes the total number of questions in that category, the total number of questions in that category you answered correctly, and the percentage of questions correct.Score reports help students get the most from their test results. Users wishing to drill down further into what their scores mean can directly reference Reporting Category information found in their score reports.

The Context of an 18 ACT Score

So, you recently took the ACT and scored an 18. You're probably wondering, "Is an 18 a good ACT score?" The truth is, it depends on your personal college goals and where you want to apply. In admissions, the value of a score depends on context. An 18 is below the national average, but what does it mean for your percentile ranking, college options, scholarships, and whether you should retake the exam?

An ACT score of 18 is in the lower end of the range, as it corresponds to the 38th percentile. This means that you scored higher than 38% of test-takers, but lower than the remaining 62%. Earning an 18 on the ACT puts you at the 38th percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 38% of all test takers.

A common benchmark used by many colleges and universities is a score of 20, which is approximately the national average. According to ACT.org, the average Composite score was 19.4 as of 2024.

While below average, an 18 is still a respectable score that demonstrates adequate academic preparation for college. The national average typically falls around 20-21, so an 18 puts you a few points below the middle of the pack. Many counselors view an 18 as a baseline score that shows you're prepared for college-level work, though not exceptionally so.

How an 18 ACT Stacks Up

The national average ACT score typically falls around 20-21. That's the middle of the pack. Compared with that benchmark, an 18 is below average-about 2-3 points below the national mean. Among college-bound students specifically, an 18 is competitive but not strong. Most students aiming for four-year colleges score in the 20s or higher, so an 18 places you in the lower-middle of that group.

College Admissions and an 18 ACT

During your college application process having an ACT score can help you realize your dream of going to college. It is important to keep in mind that a "good" ACT score can vary greatly from person to person depending on their individual goals and college preferences.

Admissions is relative. A score that's competitive at one school might be below average at a more selective one. An 18 ACT score is equivalent to a score between 940 and 970 on the SAT.

Less Selective or Public Universities

At institutions where middle 50% ACT ranges sit in the high teens to low 20s, an 18 is competitive. You'll likely be at or near the 50th percentile of admitted students, making you a solid candidate for admission.

Selective Colleges

Many well-known universities and liberal arts colleges report middle 50% ranges in the high 20s to low 30s. At these schools, an 18 is usually below the 25th percentile. You'll need strong other credentials to be competitive.

Highly Selective Colleges

The most competitive institutions typically post middle 50% ACT ranges around 33-35+. An 18 is well below their typical range and would require exceptional other qualifications to be considered.

The takeaway: an 18 is competitive at many colleges, but you'll need strong grades, activities, and essays to stand out at more selective institutions.

Colleges Where an 18 ACT Makes You Competitive

Because context matters, it helps to think in terms of reach, match, and safety categories. Exact ranges vary year to year, but the patterns below hold.

Reach schools: Highly selective universities-Ivies and peers-typically enroll classes with ACTs of 34-35. With an 18, you're well below their typical range. These schools would be significant reaches requiring exceptional other qualifications.
Match (target) schools: Many solid universities and colleges outside the ultra-elite tier list middle 50% ranges in the high teens to low 20s. Here, an 18 commonly lands you near the 50th percentile. Think regional universities, less selective private colleges, and some state flagships. With an 18, you're a realistic candidate.
Safety schools: Where typical ranges sit in the high teens to low 20s, an 18 is at or above the norm. You're likely to be admitted and may qualify for honors programs. Many well-regarded public universities and less selective privates fall here.

When building a list, focus on schools where an 18 is at or above the 25th percentile of admitted students. Include some reaches, but be realistic about your chances.

Read also: Beyond College: 1420 SAT Score

Top-Tier Schools

An 18 is generally below the typical ranges at top-tier schools, often well below their 25th percentile. That means students with 18s are rarely admitted, and your score would be viewed as a weakness in your application.

However, "not typical" doesn't mean "impossible." At the elite level, exceptional other qualifications-near-perfect grades, outstanding activities, compelling essays-can sometimes overcome a lower test score. But realistically, an 18 would be a significant hurdle.

Would improving to a 20-22 help? Absolutely. Even a few points can move you into a more competitive range at selective schools. If you're targeting competitive colleges, a retake with focused preparation could significantly improve your chances.

Scholarships and Merit Aid

An 18 can qualify you for merit aid at many colleges, though the opportunities may be more limited than with higher scores. Students with scores in the high teens to low 20s often qualify for merit packages tied to GPA and test thresholds. With an 18, you'll frequently meet the minimum requirements for automatic awards at many schools, though you may not qualify for the highest tiers. Honors colleges and flagship scholarships often look for 24+ scores, so an 18 might limit your options.

At less selective institutions, an 18 can still open doors to significant merit aid, especially when combined with strong grades. Always check each college's latest scholarship criteria and submission deadlines. An 18 ACT score likely won’t earn you much merit aid, you’ll likely need a 25 and above for that, but there are plenty of other types of scholarships to apply for, including based on your life circumstances, passions, and extracurriculars! Be sure to start applying for as many scholarships as possible early and often using our extensive scholarship database.

Should You Retake the ACT?

Whether to retake comes down to goals, bandwidth, and realistic potential for improvement.

Reasons to consider a retake:

If you're aiming at selective schools where an 18 is below their typical range, a retake could be worthwhile. Even improving to a 20-22 could significantly expand your college options and scholarship opportunities.
It's also sensible if one section lagged well behind the others.

Reasons not to retake:

An 18 already qualifies you for admission at many colleges and some merit aid.
If your college list focuses on schools where an 18 is competitive, and you have limited time for test prep, focusing on other parts of your application might be more productive.

Bottom line on retesting: If you have realistic potential to improve and are targeting colleges where a higher score would help, a retake makes sense.

How to Improve Your ACT Score

When retaking the exam, you can focus on the subjects you found the most challenging, and try some test-taking strategies such as practice tests, time management techniques, and improving your content knowledge in those areas. You could also consider working with a tutor, joining a test prep class, or utilizing online resources for additional support.

There are a number of study strategies to adopt in preparation for your retest date. Pick up a book of sample ACT exam questions or download a sample exam and set aside time to take them using the same conditions from the actual test. Use a stopwatch to practice budgeting the time allotted for each section. Also, take the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor or college counselor to get their advice about how to study and prepare for the exam. Adjust your study habits to improve the results or look into a test prep course, as well as tutoring, if it’s affordable.

Other Factors in College Admissions

Regardless of your ACT score, it's crucial to remember that colleges evaluate your entire application, including your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays. Admissions committees also look at your high school transcript, extracurricular activities, essays, and other factors to assess your overall potential as a student.

While ACT scores do play a role in the admissions process, it's essential to remember that they are just one aspect considered by colleges.

Test-Optional Schools

It's important to keep in mind that some schools are test-optional, meaning you are not required to submit ACT or SAT scores. So, if you feel that your ACT score doesn't fully showcase your academic abilities, you might want to look into applying to test-optional institutions. Even at test-optional schools, your ACT score can give you an edge. If you're applying to test-optional schools and you’ve earned a score that falls within (or above) the college’s typical range, submit it.

ACT to SAT Conversion

An 18 ACT score is equivalent to a score between 940 and 970 on the SAT. There are a few key differences between these standardized tests, so what you score on one may not directly translate to the other, but this is a rough estimate of what you might earn on the SAT. If you feel like you’re having a difficult time with the ACT test type, it may be worth considering taking a practice SAT and seeing how you score. They have different time management requirements and styles, so you may excel more at one than the other!

The Bigger Picture

While an 18 may not be a competitive score for more selective colleges, there are still many colleges and universities that would consider you for admission if you have strong academics, extracurricular involvement, and a compelling personal story. In many cases, students see score increases after they've taken the exam more than once, as they become more familiar with the testing format and learn which areas they need to focus on.

Remember that your national ranks tell you how your scores compare to those earned by recent high school graduates who took the ACT. In general, the lowest ACT score that colleges will accept varies from institution to institution. However, most colleges have a minimum requirement of 18 or 20 on the ACT.

Advice and Next Steps

Understanding what ACT scores colleges accept and what they consider "good" is a valuable piece of information for any aspiring college student. Keep in mind that each college has its own set of requirements, and what might be considered acceptable at one institution may be different elsewhere. Therefore, it is important to aim for a score that reflects your abilities and showcases your potential.

Want to talk about your ACT scores in more detail and figure out what comes next? We can help. Our ACT experts will go over your personal score report and help you determine what the next step should be.

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