Is 24 a Good ACT Score?
Yes. A 24 is a strong ACT score.
It puts you in the 78th percentile. That means you scored higher than 78 out of every 100 students who took the ACT.
Only 22 students out of 100 did better than you. That is a real advantage when applying to college. But how big an advantage depends on your target school. Keep reading to find out.
Only 22 students out of 100 did better than you. That is a real advantage when applying to college. But how big an advantage depends on your target school. Keep reading to find out.
CURRENT PERCENTILE
78th
NEXT TARGET
96th
Scored a 24 and want to push higher?
Find out exactly which questions are costing you points. Take a free practice test on ScoreSmart and get your full breakdown instantly.
What Does the 78th Percentile Mean?
It means 78 out of every 100 students scored below you. You are in the top 22% of all ACT test takers.
Here is why that matters. The national average ACT score is 19.4. A 24 puts you almost 5 points above that. At most colleges, 5 points above average means you stand out in the application pile.
Here is why that matters. The national average ACT score is 19.4. A 24 puts you almost 5 points above that. At most colleges, 5 points above average means you stand out in the application pile.
ACT Score Percentile Table
The national average ACT score is
19.4
A 24 is a strong ACT score.
ACT Score
Percentile
What It Means
36
99th+
Perfect score. Top 1%
30
93rd
Excellent. Very competitive.
24
74th
Strong. Good for most schools. (This page)
21
57th
Above average.
20
59th
Above average.
19.4
53rd
National average (2024)
19
42nd
Just below average.
17
26th
Below average.
What Colleges Can You Get Into With a 24 ACT Score?
A 24 is competitive at a wide range of colleges. It is the sweet spot for many solid four-year universities across the US.
Schools Where 24 Makes You Competitive
School
Location
Average ACT
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
23-29
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY
21-27
Ohio University
Athens, OH
21-27
West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
21-27
University of North Texas
Denton, TX
21-27
Schools Where 24 is Below Their Range
School
Location
Average ACT
Is 24 ACT Score Good Enough for Scholarships?
Yes. A 24 is where real scholarship money starts opening up.
Many colleges tie merit scholarships directly to ACT scores. At schools where 24 is competitive, this score often qualifies you for automatic awards worth thousands of dollars per year.
Many colleges tie merit scholarships directly to ACT scores. At schools where 24 is competitive, this score often qualifies you for automatic awards worth thousands of dollars per year.
Scholarship Type
Score Needed
20 Qualifies?
Most state university merit aid
22+
Yes
Automatic awards at many mid-tier schools
24+
Yes
Highly selective private scholarships
30+
No
National Merit
33+
No
Non-test scholarships (GPA, essays)
N/A
Yes
If you are aiming for the biggest scholarships at top schools, you need a 30 or higher. But for most state schools and regional universities, a 24 is a real scholarship score.
Should You Retake the ACT With a 24 ACT Score?
It depends on your target schools. A 24 is strong but not elite. Here is a simple way to decide:
You probably do not need to retake if:
- Your target schools have average ACT scores above 27
- You want to qualify for larger merit scholarships
- Your practice tests consistently show 26 or higher
- You have 6 or more weeks before the next test date
You should consider retaking if:
- Your target schools have averages between 21 and 26
-
You already qualify for the scholarships you need
- You are applying test-optional with a strong GPA and essays
ScoreSmart shows you exactly where you are losing points.
At 24, you are not struggling with the basics. You already know most of the material. The gap between 24 and 27 is mostly about fixing small leaks, not big holes.
How to Improve From a 24?
- Look at your section scores one by one
- Focus on question types, not subjects
- Slow down on hard questions
- Take two full practice tests before retaking
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A 24 is a strong score that puts you in the 78th percentile. You scored higher than 78 out of every 100 ACT test takers. It is competitive at many four-year colleges but not at highly selective schools.
A 24 is the 78th percentile based on ACT 2025-2026 national norms. You scored higher than 78% of all students who took the ACT.
Many solid four-year universities accept a 24, including many state schools and regional universities. Highly selective schools like Michigan, Georgia Tech, and UNC typically expect 29 or higher.
It depends on your target schools. If you want more selective colleges or bigger scholarships, pushing to 27 or above is worth it. With focused prep, that jump is very achievable in 6 to 8 weeks.
Yes. The national average is 19.4. A 24 puts you in the top 22% of all test takers. It is a strong starting point and qualifies you for merit scholarships at many colleges.
