Navigating College Admissions with a 24 ACT Score

A score of 24 on the ACT is a commendable achievement that can open doors to numerous colleges and universities. Understanding the implications of this score, its percentile ranking, and how it compares to average scores is crucial for making informed decisions about college applications and potential retakes.

Understanding the Significance of a 24 ACT Score

Scoring a 24 on the ACT places you in the top tier of test-takers nationwide. A composite score of 24 places you near the top of all test-takers nationwide, roughly in the 76th percentile. That means you scored higher than about 76% of students who sit for the ACT each year. Even a 23 hovers in the low-70s percentiles, so a 24 pushes you into a very small, elite group. Out of the millions of test administrations annually, only a relatively small share of students reaches 24 or higher.

How a 24 ACT Score Compares to National Averages

The national average ACT score typically falls around 20-21. Compared with that benchmark, a 24 is dramatically higher-roughly a dozen points above the national mean. Many counselors view a 24 as comfortably above average; a 24 isn't just above average, it's in a different tier altogether. Even among college-bound high scorers, a 24 stands out. Moving from a 23 to a 24 spans several percentile points at the very top, where each additional point becomes harder to earn and correspondingly rarer.

The Role of a 24 ACT Score in College Admissions

Admissions is relative. A score that's outstanding at one school might be closer to typical at a more selective one. At institutions where middle 50% ACT ranges sit in the low- to mid-20s, a 24 is exceptional. You'll be well above the 75th percentile of admitted students, often standing out for honors programs and special opportunities. Many well-known universities and liberal arts colleges report middle 50% ranges in the high 20s to low 30s. At these schools, a 24 is usually at or above the 75th percentile. You'll be considered a strong academic applicant and competitive for admission. The most competitive institutions typically post middle 50% ACT ranges around 33-35+. A 24 is within range, but toward the lower end.

With a 24, you're in range but below many admits' scores. The takeaway: a 24 is outstanding almost anywhere, on par or above average at upper-tier schools, and strong but toward the lower bound at the most selective campuses.

Read also: 15 ACT Score College Options

Reach, Match, and Safety Schools

When building a list, include a few reaches, several matches, and at least one or two safeties you'd be happy to attend. With a 24, you can consider a wide spectrum of institutions. Exact ranges vary year to year, but the patterns below hold.

Reach Schools: Ultra-selective universities-Ivies and peers-often enroll classes with typical ACTs of 34-35.
Match (Target) Schools: Many excellent universities and liberal arts colleges outside the ultra-elite tier list middle 50% ranges in the high 20s to low 30s. Here, a 24 commonly lands you near or above the 75th percentile. Think strong private universities, competitive state flagships, and top-25-50 programs. With a 24, you're a realistic, competitive candidate.
Safety Schools: Where typical ranges sit in the low- to high-20s, a 24 is far above the norm. You're likely to be admitted, may qualify for honors programs, and often land in the top slice of the incoming class. Many well-regarded public universities and less selective privates fall here.

Is a 24 ACT High Enough for Top-Tier Schools?

A 24 is generally within the stated ranges at top-tier schools, often around the lower end of their middle 50%. That means students with 24s are admitted every year, and your score will be viewed as academically qualified. At the elite level, many applicants present 34-36 scores, near-perfect transcripts, rigorous coursework, and standout activities. A 24 keeps you in contention, but it usually won't differentiate you by itself.

Read also: 1030 SAT Score College Guide

Would nudging to a 25-26 help? It can, particularly if you're targeting the most selective campuses where medians cluster at 34-35. Still, the difference between a 24 and a 25 is modest compared with the impact of grades, rigor, essays, recommendations, and distinctive accomplishments. If your profile is strong across the board, a 24 can absolutely support a credible application to top-tier schools.

Merit Aid and Scholarship Opportunities with a 24 ACT Score

A high ACT can pay dividends in merit aid, especially at public universities and mid-tier private colleges that use test scores in awarding scholarships. Students with scores in the mid-to-high 20s often qualify for substantial merit packages tied to GPA and test thresholds. With a 24, you'll frequently meet the top tier for automatic or competitive awards, which can range from several thousand dollars per year to significant tuition reductions. Honors colleges and flagship scholarships frequently look for 24+ scores, with 24s landing in strong contention. At the most selective private universities, pure merit scholarships are far less common, and aid is often primarily need-based. But at many other institutions, a 24 can noticeably increase scholarship eligibility, and in some cases open doors to full or near-full tuition opportunities. Always check each college's latest scholarship criteria and submission deadlines.

Deciding Whether to Retake the ACT

Whether to retake comes down to goals, bandwidth, and realistic potential for improvement. If you're aiming at ultra-selective schools with medians at 34-35 and believe you can add 1-3 points through targeted prep, a retake could be worthwhile. It's also sensible if one section lagged well behind the others and you can address a specific weakness that's suppressing your composite. A 24 already clears the academic bar at most institutions, and at many it places you near the top of the pool. Time invested in chasing a single point might be better spent strengthening essays, pursuing leadership, refining your activities list, or boosting senior-year grades. The return on investment diminishes once you're in the mid-to-high 20s, especially if your college list includes schools where a 24 is comfortably within range. If you have a targeted reason and a credible plan to improve, a retake can make sense.

Colleges That Accept Students with a 24 ACT Score

A 24 ACT score is a solid result that keeps many college options in reach, especially when paired with steady grades and a reasonable course schedule. Here is a list of some colleges that have admitted students with ACT scores around 24 in the past:

Ohio University (Athens, OH)
University of Colorado - Colorado Springs (Colorado Springs, CO)
California State University - Sacramento (Sacramento, CA)
Texas State University (San Marcos, TX)
San Diego State University (San Diego, CA)
University of North Texas (Denton, TX)
University of Oregon (Eugene, OR)
University of Alabama - Birmingham (Birmingham, AL)
University of Mississippi (Oxford, MS)

It's important to remember that colleges consider many factors in addition to test scores, such as your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Read also: 1110 SAT Score College Options

Test-Optional Policies

Many schools have adopted test-optional or test-blind admissions policies.

Here's a list of colleges with different test policies:

Test Required: California Institute of Technology, Harvard College, Yale University, Brown University, Dartmouth College, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, The Cooper Union, University of Central Florida, Auburn University, Purdue University-West Lafayette, Florida International University, Gallaudet University, University of Alabama, Thomas Aquinas College.
Test Optional: Bowdoin College, Colby College, Barnard College (Temporary), Middlebury College (Temporary), Washington University in St. Louis (Temporary), Haverford College, Bates College, Davidson College, Hamilton College, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Wesleyan University, Colorado College, Vassar College, Rhode Island School of Design, Smith College, Skidmore College, Pitzer College (Temporary), Franklin and Marshall College, Macalester College, Bucknell University (Temporary), Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, Whitman College, Gettysburg College, Clark University, Brandeis University, North Carolina State University-Raleigh, Emerson College, Southwestern University, Union College (NY), Truman State University, George Washington University, Rollins College, Stevens Institute of Technology (Temporary), St. Olaf College, St. John's College-Annapolis, Sewanee: University of the South, Baylor University (Temporary), St. Lawrence University, Allegheny College, Baldwin Wallace University, Lake Forest College, Washington College, DePauw University, John Brown University, Hendrix College, Agnes Scott College, The College of New Jersey (Temporary), Augustana College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Temporary), Yeshiva University, Drake University, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, Marist College, Chapman University, Abilene Christian University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach, Elon University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of North Georgia (Temporary), Hofstra University, Presbyterian College (SC), St. Mary's College of Maryland, Ithaca College, University of Hawai'i at MƒÅnoa, Knox College, University of North Texas, University of Puget Sound, Earlham College, Taylor University, Elmhurst College, University of Houston, Oklahoma State University, Loyola University Maryland, California Lutheran University, DePaul University, Quinnipiac University, University of Missouri (Temporary), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Wheaton College (MA).

ACT to SAT Conversion

A 24 ACT score is commonly compared to about a 1160 to 1190 on the SAT.

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