ACT Scores for Admission to Top Public Universities

If you're wondering if you have the ACT scores you'll need to get into one of the top public universities in the United States, here's a side-by-side comparison of scores for the middle 50% of enrolled students. If your scores fall within or above these ranges, you're on target for admission to one of these top colleges.

Realize, of course, that ACT scores are just one part of the application. It's possible to have scores above the averages presented here and still get rejected if other parts of your application are weak. Similarly, some students with scores significantly below the ranges listed here gain admission because they demonstrate other strengths.

Also, if you are an out-of-state applicant, you may need to have scores significantly higher than those shown here. Most state-funded universities give preference to in-state applicants.

To see a full profile of each college, click on the names in the chart below. You can also check out these other ACT links (or SAT links):

ACT Comparison Charts: the Ivy League | top private universities (non-Ivy) | top liberal arts colleges | more top liberal arts colleges | top public universities | top public liberal arts colleges | University of California campuses | Cal State campuses | SUNY campuses

2007-08 data from National Center for Educational Statistics

Top Public University ACT Scores (mid 50%)
(learn what these numbers mean)