Average ACT Scores by State (Most Recent)

Average ACT Scores by State (Most Recent) SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Did you recently get your ACT scores back and are now wondering how your score compares with those of other test takers in your state? Or perhaps you're curious as to how your state’s average ACT score stacks up against other state averages. For this article, we compiled the average ACT scores by state, as well as the average in each subject area, using the latest data from ACT, Inc. Read on to learn how your state's SAT data- and your ACT score- compares with the averages in the rest of the country. What's the National Average ACT Score? Nearly two million students nationwide took the ACT in 2017/18- 1.91 million, to be precise. Out of all of those tests, the national average scores came out as follows: ACT Section Average Score English 20.2 Math 20.5 Reading 21.3 Science 20.7 Composite 20.8 Source: ACT National Profile Report 2018 Remember that each ACT section, and the overall composite score, are scored between 1 and 36. This means that if you get a composite score of 21 or higher, you will beat half the other high school students in the country.If you get significantly higher than 21, you will have beaten out a majority of test takers. Likewise, if you get lower than 21, a majority of test takers will have beaten out you. But what about the ACT averages in your state specifically? Read on to learn how well you have to do on the exam to be considered above average in your home state. All Average ACT Scores by State (2017) The following table containsall ACT state averages for the class of2017(the most recent data available). We've also included state participation rates to give you an idea of the reach of the ACT in each state and the size of the population being tested. State Participation English Math Reading Science Composite Alabama 100% 18.9 18.4 19.7 19.4 19.2 Alaska 65% 18.7 19.8 20.4 19.9 19.8 Arizona 62% 18.6 19.8 20.1 19.8 19.7 Arkansas 100% 18.9 19.0 19.7 19.5 19.4 California 31% 22.5 22.7 23.1 22.2 22.8 Colorado 100% 20.1 20.3 21.2 20.9 20.8 Connecticut 31% 25.5 24.6 25.6 24.6 25.2 Delaware 18% 24.1 23.4 24.8 23.6 24.1 District of Columbia 32% 24.4 23.5 24.9 23.5 24.2 Florida 73% 19.0 19.4 21.0 19.4 19.8 Georgia 55% 21.0 20.9 22.0 21.3 21.4 Hawaii 90% 17.8 19.2 19.2 19.3 19.0 Idaho 38% 21.9 21.8 23.0 22.1 22.3 Illinois 93% 21.0 21.2 21.6 21.3 21.4 Indiana 35% 22.0 22.4 23.2 22.3 22.6 Iowa 67% 21.2 21.3 22.6 22.1 21.9 Kansas 73% 21.1 21.3 22.3 21.7 21.7 Kentucky 100% 19.6 19.4 20.5 20.1 20.0 Louisiana 100% 19.4 18.8 19.8 19.6 19.5 Maine 8% 24.2 24.0 24.8 23.7 24.3 Maryland 28% 23.3 23.1 24.2 23.2 23.6 Massachusetts 29% 25.4 25.3 25.9 24.7 25.4 Michigan 29% 24.1 23.7 24.5 23.8 24.1 Minnesota 100% 20.4 21.5 21.8 21.6 21.5 Mississippi 100% 18.2 18.1 18.8 18.8 18.6 Missouri 100% 19.8 19.9 20.8 20.5 20.4 Montana 100% 19.0 20.2 21.0 20.5 20.3 Nebraska 84% 20.9 20.9 21.9 21.5 21.4 Nevada 100% 16.3 18.0 18.1 18.2 17.8 New Hampshire 18% 25.4 25.1 26.0 24.9 25.5 New Jersey 34% 23.8 23.8 24.1 23.2 23.9 New Mexico 66% 18.6 19.4 20.4 20.0 19.7 New York 31% 23.8 24.0 24.6 23.9 24.2 North Carolina 100% 17.8 19.3 19.6 19.3 19.1 North Dakota 98% 19.0 20.4 20.5 20.6 20.3 Ohio 75% 21.2 21.6 22.5 22.0 22.0 Oklahoma 100% 18.5 18.8 20.1 19.6 19.4 Oregon 40% 21.2 21.5 22.4 21.7 21.8 Pennsylvania 23% 23.4 23.4 24.2 23.3 23.7 Rhode Island 21% 24.0 23.3 24.7 23.4 24.0 South Carolina 100% 17.5 18.6 19.1 18.9 18.7 South Dakota 80% 20.7 21.5 22.3 22.0 21.8 Tennessee 100% 19.5 19.2 20.1 19.9 19.8 Texas 45% 19.5 20.7 21.1 20.9 20.7 Utah 100% 19.5 19.9 20.8 20.6 20.3 Vermont 29% 23.3 23.1 24.4 23.2 23.6 Virginia 29% 23.5 23.3 24.6 23.5 23.8 Washington 29% 20.9 21.9 22.1 22.0 21.9 West Virginia 69% 20.0 19.4 21.2 20.5 20.4 Wisconsin 100% 19.7 20.4 20.6 20.9 20.5 Wyoming 100% 19.4 19.8 20.8 20.6 20.2 National 60% 20.3 20.7 21.4 21.0 21.0 Source:ACT College Career Readiness 2017 ACT Averages by State: Hall of Fame Now that you've had a chance to skim the list of state ACT averages, we thought it would be fun to highlight the highs and lows of the United States' ACT performance. See if your state made the cut below! Highest ACT State Score: New Hampshire New Hampshire narrowly achieved the highest score in the country, with an average composite of 25.5, just above Massachusetts (25.4) and Connecticut (25.2). †¦ and your high ACT score! However, it should be noted thatthese three states have relatively low ACT participation: 18% for New Hampshire, 29% for Massachusetts, and 31% for Connecticut. This is because the SAT is more popular in these states. So what does this data mean? Ultimately, it suggests that those taking the ACT in these states are ambitious, college-bound students looking to improve their applications, which would make for a higher average ACT score. Team Players: 100% ACT Participation There are 17 states with 100% ACT participation- that's 34% of the country! These states have made the ACT a mandatory part of their statewide testing regimens, helping high school students be better prepared for their college applications. Alabama Arkansas Colorado Kentucky Louisiana Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nevada North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Utah Wisconsin Wyoming Highest ACT State Score With 100% Participation: Minnesota As you know, 17 states currently have 100% ACT participation. The state with the highest average score out of this group has a lot to be proud of because that average represents the entire high school population of that state. So who wins? Minnesota, with a 21.5 average composite score. The runner-up is Colorado with a 20.8 average composite, and Wisconsin is inthird with a 20.5 composite average. Lowest Participation: Maine Maine wins this one by a landslide, with just 8% of its students taking the ACT. This is likely because the SAT is still the test of choice in that northeastern state. However, the SAT, which was once required in Maine, is now optional as well. ACT-free, it would appear. Lowest ACT State Score: Nevada Nevada earns the dubious honor of getting the lowest average ACT score, with an average composite of 17.8. This low average is likely due to the fact that Nevada only recently began to mandate statewide ACT testing starting in 2016. In general, big jumps in test takers often result in lower averages. As such, this new average is noticeably lower thanNevada's 2015 average of 21, back when just some students took the ACT. As the ACT becomes a staple of Nevada's state testing regimen, averages will likely increase. Key Takeaways: Average ACT Scores by State As you can see, the average ACT score can change pretty dramatically depending on which state you're looking at. Nationally, the average composite ACT score is21- but many states' averages are higher or lower than this. In general, states with 100% participation rates (i.e., states that require the ACT) tend to havelower averages,whereas states with low participation rates tend to havehigher averages. In terms of notable states, here's a quick wrap-up of the ACT "awards" we gave above: Highest ACT State Score: New Hampshire (25.5 average) Team Players: 100% ACT Participation Alabama Arkansas Colorado Kentucky Louisiana Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nevada North Carolina Oklahoma South Carolina Tennessee Utah Wisconsin Wyoming Highest ACT State Score With 100% Participation: Minnesota (21.5 average) Lowest ACT State Score: Nevada (17.8 average) If you're ever curious what ACT score you need to aim for to be considered above average for your state, simply come back to this page, check the chart, and see whether your state made our Hall of Fame! What’s Next? Want more context for your ACT score? Learn more about the national ACT average score and ACT score percentiles. What ACT scores are considered good by various colleges?Check out our guide to developing a target ACT score based on the schools you want to apply to. Wondering about what your composite ACT score represents in terms of right and wrong answers?Learn the ins and outs of ACT scoringand get tips to help you use this info to your advantage. Trying to maximize your ACT score? Avoid this common ACT mistake to improve your composite. Also,check out our top strategies to raise your ACT essay score. Want to improve your ACT score by 4+ points? Download our free guide to the top 5 strategies you need in your prep to improve your ACT score dramatically.