Average Act Score By State

The ACT, or the American College Testing exam, is a  standardized exam that high school students across the United States take part in, aimed at showcasing their academic knowledge and readiness for college. The test, divided into four key academic areas - English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science, is a gateway to college admissions, and its scores play a pivotal role in shaping the future of millions of students each year.

The ACT score, ranging from 1 to 36, is a cumulative average of the scores secured in each subject area, with an average national score — the benchmark score — set at 20.6. In the 2019/2020 academic year, around 1.67 million students took the ACT with an aim of achieving the best possible score, befitting their collegiate aspirations.

Through an investigation into the public data of average ACT scores by state, we present you with some distinctive key findings:

• Based on the data, California and Massachusetts showcase the highest average ACT score, recorded at 26.5, suggesting a high level of academic preparation within these states.
• However, not all states are performing at this level. Nevada, on the other hand, records the lowest average ACT score at 17.3, an alarming figure in comparison to the national average.
• A slight majority of the states have an average ACT score below the national benchmark score of 20.6.
• The top 4 ranking states - California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, have a similar average ACT score range, reflecting equivalent levels of academic achievement.