The average ACT composite score typically falls around 19.5 to 20.8, depending on the source and year. For example, the national average ACT score was reported as 19.8 in 2022 and about 19.5 to 19.9 in recent years, with some sources citing an average closer to 20.6 or 20.8 in 2024
. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36, with the composite score being the average of four sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Section averages tend to be around 19-21 points each
. In summary:
- Average ACT composite score: roughly 19.5 to 20.8
- Average section scores: about 19-21 points each
- A score around 20 is considered average nationally
- Scores above 23 are above average and improve college admission prospects
Thus, an average ACT score is approximately 20, which places a student near the 50th percentile nationally.
