How good is a 25 score on ACT?

Just got my score for the ACT and I pulled a 25. I'm a bit stressed cuz I don't really know if it's a good score or not. Should I plan to retake or is this score competitive for most colleges? Any advice would help.

A 25 ACT score is slightly above average as the average ACT score is approximately 21. However, the competitiveness of your ACT score largely depends on the colleges you're interested in. Are you aiming for top-tier, highly selective universities, state schools, or smaller liberal arts colleges? Generally, for highly selective colleges, a score in the 30's is considered competitive. State schools and smaller colleges may find a 25 ACT score quite acceptable; however, it varies significantly from institution to institution.

Without knowing your exact target schools, it's challenging to provide a precise evaluation of your score. My suggestion would be to review the middle 50% ACT scores of admitted students at the colleges you're interested in. If your score falls within or above that range, you're in a good place. If not, you may want to consider retaking the test.

Remember, standardized test scores like the ACT are just one aspect of your application. Many colleges consider other factors, like your GPA, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation, to be just as important—if not more important—than test scores. Be sure to focus on these other areas as well.

Finally, keep in mind that some colleges have chosen to go test-optional starting from 2024-2025 application year, including prestigious institutions like University of Chicago and New York University. This means that you can choose whether or not to submit your ACT scores as part of your application. For these schools, having a lower ACT score won't necessarily hold you back—especially if the rest of your application is strong.