Is an ACT score of 22 good enough?

Just got my ACT scores and I have a 22. Is that a good enough score to get into decent colleges? What range of schools could I realistically get into?

The answers to your questions depend on multiple elements that influence college admissions, but let's begin by talking about the ACT score itself. A score of 22 is slightly above the national average of 19.8, which indicates that you're outperforming a large number of students.

However, the suitability of your ACT score for various colleges significantly depends on the specific institutions you're considering. For some universities, a 22 could be quite competitive, while for others, particularly higher-ranked or more selective institutions, the average ACT score of admitted students might be significantly higher.

As an example, at a school like University of Kansas, your ACT score would comfortably fit within their middle 50% ACT range of 21-28. On the other hand, at more selective colleges like University of Michigan, the middle 50% ACT range of admitted students is 31-34.

Remember that the ACT is just one piece of the puzzle. Schools are looking at your application holistically. That means your coursework, grade point average, extracurricular activities, and application essays can significantly impact your chances too. Hence, a lower ACT score can be balanced by strong performance in these other areas.

But, if you're aiming for selective schools and have the time to study, it wouldn't hurt to consider retaking the ACT to aim for a higher score. A comprehensive study plan and practice testing could lead to score improvement.

Also, remember that as of the 2024-2025 application cycle, many colleges continue to be test-optional, including NYU and University of Chicago. This means these colleges are de-emphasizing the importance of standardized tests in their admissions decisions due to the global pandemic. So, depending on where you're applying, your ACT score might not have to be a stress factor.