Updated December 3, 2025

What’s a Good ACT Score for Ivy League Schools?

Bonus Material: PrepMaven’s ACT Score Ranges for 750+ Schools

Wondering what ACT score you need to get into the Ivy League? In this guide, we’ll break down competitive ACT scores at each Ivy League school… and how to improve your own.

There’s no one right answer. What ACT score will help make you a competitive applicant depends on a lot of factors, including which schools you’re applying to and how strong the rest of your application materials are.

Still, it’s helpful to know whether your ACT score puts you in the competitive range for Ivy League schools, since that information can help you decide where to apply and focus on the areas of your application that need the most work.

We’ve been helping students prepare for the ACT and apply to college for over 20 years. Based on that experience, plus the latest data on Ivy League admissions, we’ve lined up the ACT score ranges for each Ivy, along with concrete advice on how to improve your score if it’s not yet where you want it to be. 

First, take a look at our free resource showing the ACT score ranges at more than 750 schools…

Then, read on for detailed ACT statistics across the Ivy League and an explanation of what it means for you, plus an overview of Ivies that don’t require standardized test scores and tips on how to improve your ACT score.

Jump to section:
Summary: Average ACT Scores at All the Ivies
What Puts You in the Top and Bottom 25% at All the Ivies?
What About Test-Optional Ivy League Schools?
How to get your ACT score where it needs to be
Next Steps

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Summary: Average ACT Scores at All the Ivies

Let’s start with the 50th-percentile ACT scores for admitted students at each of the Ivy League schools.

These scores represent the median for students who got into each school. That means that half of the applicants who were accepted (and who submitted ACT scores) had a higher ACT score than the 50th percentile, and the other half scored lower.

In other words, having an ACT score below the 50th percentile for a school you’re applying to does not mean you can’t or won’t get in. After all, by definition, half the applicants who are accepted fall into that category! But, of course, scoring on par with the top half of accepted applicants will make your application more competitive.

Ivy League School	Estimated 50th Percentile Score (Composite Score)*	50th Percentile Score (English)	50th Percentile Score (Math)
Harvard University	35	35	34
Columbia University	35	35	34
Yale University	35	35	34
Brown University	35	35	34
Princeton University	35	35	34
Dartmouth College	34	35	34
University of Pennsylvania	35	35	35
Cornell University	34	35	34

*This data is from 2022 IPEDS data. The total 50th percentile score is a composite score found by combining the 50th percentile raw scores for the English and Math sections. That means that it’s a good estimate of the 50th percentile total score, but it may not be exact.

What does this data mean? If you can score a 35 or 36 on the math section of the ACT, that will put you in line with the top half of accepted applicants at every Ivy. Remember that this data only reflects applicants who were accepted, so that score will almost certainly put you well above the average scores for the applicant pool as a whole. 

At that point, you’ll want to stand out from other top ACT scores through the other parts of your application, like your grades, personal essay, supplemental essays, and letters of recommendation.

If you need private tutoring for ACT prep, individual subject support, or college essays, feel free to reach out to see how our world-class tutors can help you.  

Because these scores are clustered together at the top end of the ACT score range, it’s helpful to look at a more detailed breakdown for each school showing what score range puts you in the top or bottom quarter. 

That information also shows the subtle differences between Ivy League schools, helping you to decide where your application stands the best chance based on your ACT score.

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What ACT Score Puts You in the Top and Bottom 25% at All the Ivies?

Ivy League School	Total Composite Score*			English			Math
	25th Percentile	50th Percentile	75th Percentile	25th Percentile	50th Percentile	75th Percentile	25th Percentile	50th Percentile	75th Percentile
Harvard University	34	35	36	35	35	36	32	34	35
Columbia University	34	35	35	35	35	36	32	34	35
Yale University	33	35	35	35	35	36	32	34	35
Brown University	34	35	36	35	35	36	32	34	35
Princeton University	33	35	35	35	35	36	32	34	35
Dartmouth College	33	34	35	35	35	36	32	34	35
University of Pennsylvania	34	35	35	35	35	36	33	35	36
Cornell University	33	34	35	34	35	36	32	34	35

*Again, the total scores are composites, meaning that they were found by combining the math and English scores at each percentile point.

So, what does all this data mean for you?

These percentiles show the average score for students who are at the 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile of the admitted student body at each school. 

If your ACT score puts you at the 75th percentile mark, that means that 25% of admitted students scored higher than you, and 75% scored lower. That’s a pretty good position to be in.

If you’re at the 25th percentile of the score range, then you scored lower than 75% of admitted students, but higher than the bottom 25%. That’s not ideal if you want to be accepted at a selective school.

You can use this information to help make your application plans, including whether to retake the ACT, and to set a personal target score.

Not sure whether a school counts as a safety, match, or reach based on your scores? Here’s how to build your college list strategically.

Say that your dream school is Princeton University. Right now, you’re scoring a 32 on the math section of your ACT practice tests. That means that 75% of accepted applicants have a higher score than you. 

You might get in with your current score, but if you want to be a competitive applicant, your score target should be at least a 34, which would put you right in the middle of the pack for accepted applicants. If you want to be in line with the top 25% of accepted students, your score target would be a 35.

That might feel like a tall order, but there are a couple of important things to remember. For one, standardized testing is just one piece of the admissions process. If you’re not a natural test-taker, you can still get into your dream college – but you’ll need to play to your strengths in other parts of your application.

And, of course, there are plenty of resources to help you reach your target score range on the ACT, many of which we’ll take a closer look at in a minute.

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What About Test-Optional Ivy League Schools?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities introduced test-optional policies, meaning that they no longer required standardized testing for admissions.

Since then, many schools have reversed course and gone back to test-mandatory policies. Make sure to check the latest information on the admissions website of any schools you’re applying to, since these policies can change and are still in flux.

As of Fall 2024, these are the testing policies for the Ivy League schools.

Test-mandatory policy: ACT or SAT score required 

Brown University
Dartmouth College
Harvard University

Test-flexible policy: ACT or SAT score recommended, but not required

Cornell University

Test-optional policy: ACT or SAT score optional

Columbia University
Princeton University
University of Pennsylvania

Test-flexible policy: Standardized test score required, but can substitute AP or IB score for ACT or SAT

Yale University

So should you submit test scores when applying to a test-optional school?

We’d always recommend taking the ACT or SAT to get a baseline score. If it’s outside the average range for the colleges you’re applying to, you can always decide afterwards not to submit your score.

Once you’ve taken the test, compare your score to the average ranges above. Remember that these score ranges are for admitted students, not for everyone who applied, so they’re a good indicator of the scores that would make you a strong applicant.

You can also explore a broader list of test-optional colleges and what “optional” really means.

Want to know where your score stands nationally? Grab our comprehensive list of ACT score ranges at 750+ schools:

If you have an above-average score for a school you’re applying to, submitting your score will only strengthen your application. If you’re in the bottom 50%, then you’ll want to work on boosting your score before applying. 

If you’re far outside the average range for a school you’re applying to, getting to a competitive score might be more difficult.

In that case, take a look at your application as a whole and get advice from your school guidance counselor. Is your ACT score an outlier in a generally strong application because you have test anxiety or happened to have an off day when you took the test? Or is your application as a whole, including your transcript and extracurriculars, not quite strong enough to be competitive in the Ivy League? 

If you’re in the first situation, applying to a test-optional or test-flexible school like Princeton, Yale, Columbia or Penn could be a good idea. In the second situation, you can always still apply to selective colleges, but you should make sure you also have plenty of schools on your list where your scores match or exceed the average range.

Still, if there’s enough time before the application deadline, there are lots of excellent resources–many of them free–that can help you work towards a competitive score.

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How to Get Your ACT Score Where it Needs to Be

If your ACT score isn’t within the range for admitted students at the school you’re applying to, you don’t have to give up on attending your dream school.

For one thing, the ACT is just one piece of information among many in the college admissions process.

Admissions officers consider many different factors in their evaluation (check out our guide to how an admissions office reads your application). Your letters of recommendation, academic record, and class percentile ranking can all be part of the decision. 

It’s entirely possible to be accepted to an Ivy League school with an ACT score that’s outside the average range, or to be rejected even with a perfect ACT score (although a perfect score definitely won’t hurt — and if that’s your goal, there are strategies to help you get there).

But, of course, a higher ACT score can only help your application. So what can you do to improve your score?

Familiarize yourself with the test format, content, and how the ACT is scored, as well as how the ACT is changing in 2026.

Based on two decades of test-prep experience, we’ve also put together a free, step-by-step strategy guide to preparing for the ACT.

If you need more in-depth practice on any part of the ACT, there are plenty of resources available, many of them free. Here are some good ones to start with.

Resources from the ACT test makers

The makers of the ACT provide practice tests and subject-specific quizzes online. If you’re just starting out, start with a diagnostic test so that you have a benchmark score to build on. If you’ve already taken the ACT, that first score is your benchmark to start from. 

Always take practice tests with all the constraints that you’ll have on the real ACT (so put away your phone and resist the temptation to look anything up). 

Khan Academy

Another great self-study resource is Khan Academy, one of the best-known educational non-profits.

Khan Academy doesn’t have the extensive practice interface for the ACT that it does for the SAT, but it does have some starting resources on how to approach the test. If you need to practice specific skills that are tested on the ACT, you can also do so on Khan Academy, which has videos and practice questions for dozens of topics.

Since there are no live instructors on Khan Academy, it’s not ideal for students who need more individualized support or feedback. If you’re having a hard time with specific concepts, you might benefit more from working with a tutor or small-group instructor.

ACT prep guides

The test makers publish an official study guide with tips and strategies, plus more practice tests than you’ll find online. They also offer a study program in partnership with Kaplan. 

There are also some great third-party ACT prep books. We tested them and selected the 11 best ones here.

Before you rush to buy published ACT prep materials, which can be pricey, check whether they’re available in your school library or local public library.

Individual tutoring

Another option is individual test prep tutoring. Check out our analysis of 75 ACT tutoring services to find one that’s the right fit for you, or get in touch with our team for a free consultation. We’ve been working with students on ACT prep for over 20 years, and many of our students see significant score increases after a couple of months of tutoring.

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Next Steps

If you’re applying to any of the Ivy League schools, a strong ACT score can only help your chances. It’s just one part of the application process, and even a perfect score isn’t a guarantee of admission – but it’s one more component of your application that can show your academic potential.

If you’re not in the goal range for your ideal school, you can consider applying to one of the test-optional or test-flexible Ivies. Or, even better, you can use the many resources available to help you meet your goal score, including getting in touch with our team for a free consultation about ACT tutoring. 

Most PrepMaven tutors are Ivy League graduates themselves, with a handful from other top-30 colleges and universities. They’ve been in your shoes, so they can share their personal as well as professional experience when it comes to reaching your goal score on the ACT score. 

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Related ACT Posts

• How to Get a Perfect ACT Score
• Whats a Good ACT Score for the Ivy League?
• Your ACT Score Calculator
• The 11 Best ACT Prep Books
• The 15 Best ACT Tutoring Services
• ACT Scoring: Your Complete Guide
• ACT English: Everything You Need to Know
• ACT Math: Everything You Need to Know
• ACT Reading: Everything You Need to Know
• The ACT Science Section: Everything You Need to Know

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