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Have you recently received your ACT scores and you’re thinking about what your score is compared to others who took the test from your area? Maybe you’re interested in the average state ACT score compares to other averages across the state.

In this article, we’ve compiled our average ACT scores by state and also the average score for every subject area, based on the most recent information provided by ACT, Inc. Read here to learn more about what your state’s SAT data — and your ACT score compares to the averages across the nation.

What’s the National Average ACT Score?

More than a million students across the country were able to take the ACT in 2022/2023–1.4 million to be exact. From all those tests, the nation-wide average scores were in the following manner:

ACT SectionAverage Score
English18.6
Math19.0
Reading20.1
Science19.6
Composite19.5

Be aware that each ACT section, as well as the overall score are scored between 1 and 36

If you achieve a composite score that is 20 or greater that you outdo 54% of other high school students across the nation. If you score significantly higher than 20 points, you’ll beat most students who take tests. If you score lower than 20 percent, a large portion people taking the test will beat your score.

But what are the ACT averages for your state specifically? Learn more about how you must perform on the test in order to be considered above the norm in your state.

EdGap Map of ACT/SAT Scores


This map is a visualization of average high-school SAT and ACT scores, median household income, and other socioeconomic indicators. 

Visit edgap.org

All Average ACT Scores by State (2023)

The table below provides the complete ACT State averages from 2023’s class (the most current information available). We’ve also provided state rate of enrollment to give an understanding of scope of the ACT across each state as well as the number of people who are that is being examined.

StateParticipationComposite
Alabama100%18.0
Alaska15%20.2
Arizona98%17.7
Arkansas96%18.6
California4%25.7
Colorado9%24.5
Connecticut8%26.4
Delaware4%24.8
District of Columbia17%26.0
Florida46%18.9
Georgia28%21.3
Hawaii64%17.9
Idaho23%23.0
Illinois16%24.5
Indiana8%22.9
Iowa48%20.8
Kansas74%19.4
Kentucky100%18.7
Louisiana100%18.2
Maine2%24.8
Maryland7%24.5
Massachusetts8%26.4
Michigan7%24.4
Minnesota68%20.8
Mississippi100%19.8
Missouri66%19.8
Montana98%18.8
Nebraska96%19.2
Nevada100%17.2
New Hampshire5%25.2
New Jersey10%24.4
New Mexico14%20.2
New York9%25.3
North Carolina90%18.5
North Dakota96%19.6
Ohio82%19.2
Oklahoma100%17.8
Oregon13%20.9
Pennsylvania6%23.9
Rhode Island5%24.5
South Carolina40%18.8
South Dakota59%21.1
Tennessee100%18.4
Texas23%19.3
Utah90%19.2
Vermont6%23.6
Virginia8%24.6
Washington6%24.5
West Virginia26%20.3
Wisconsin93%19.4
Wyoming100%19.0
National37%19.2

Source: Average ACT Scores by State Graduating Class 2023

All Average ACT Scores by State (2024)

Average Scores by State

This chart displays the most recent data on the average ACT(r) test scores for each states. One of the most important factors is the proportion of students who have taken the test in one particular state. In states which it is mandatory to take the ACT(r) Test is mandated for all juniors in high school the overall score could be lower because all students must take an ACT(r) Test. While in different states, pupils could opt to only pass the ACT(r) Test to use their scores for colleges, and students who are in one state might choose to take tests like the SAT instead.

StateThe ACT(r) Test is a % of an ACT(r) TestAverage Score
Alabama10018
Alaska1319.9
Arizona10017.7
Arkansas9518.5
California326.5
Colorado824.7
Connecticut826.5
Delaware425.0
District of Columbia1726.7
Florida4419.0
Georgia2721.2
Hawaii6217.7
Idaho1023.3
Illinois1424.5
Indiana723.3
Iowa4321.0
Kansas7219.3
Kentucky10018.6
Louisiana10018.2
Maine225.0
Maryland624.7
Massachusetts726.1
Michigan624.5
Minnesota6620.7
Mississippi10017.7
Missouri6519.8
Montana9719.5
Nebraska9519.1
Nevada10017.2
New Hampshire425.9
New Jersey1024.1
New Mexico1220.0
New York825.4
North Carolina8918.5
North Dakota8719.6
Ohio7819.0
Oklahoma10017.6
Oregon1321.1
Pennsylvania524.3
Rhode Island425.4
South Carolina4018.7
South Dakota5821.1
Tennessee10018.8
Texas2219.4
Utah8920.0
Vermont623.6
Virginia824.8
Washington524.5
West Virginia2220.4
Wisconsin9419.4
Wyoming10019.1
National3619.4

Do you want to see how your state’s performance compares against another state? The most precise comparisons will be between states with similar numbers of students who take the ACT(r) test each year.

Average ACT Scores by Gender

According to in the 2023 ACT report, female students outperformed males. Women scored the average score for composites of 19.7 This is 0.3 points more than the males’ average score, which was 19.4. Note Reference[11

Five percent of test takers chose “another gender” or “prefer not to respond.” This group averaged a rating 18.2. 18.2. Note Reference[11

  • In 2023, males were able to score 0.6 points more in math, and 0.2 points more in science than women. Note Reference[1]
  • In 2023 the women scored one point more when it came to English as well as 0.9 points more reading than males. Note Reference[1]
  • Students who chose a different gender, and those who didn’t select a gender had the lowest scores in all sections, 2 points lower than the women who studied English, 1.8 points behind males in math, and 1.4 points below males in science. Note Reference[1]
GenderCompositeEnglishMathReadingScience
Men19.418.219.419.719.8
Women19.719.218.820.619.6
Other Responses18.217.217.619.118.4

Note Important: The “Other Responses” group consisted of students who chose “another gender” or “prefer not to respond.”Source: ACT Note Reference[1]

ACT Averages by State: Hall of Fame

After you’ve had the chance to read through the entire list of states’ ACT averages We thought it was fun to draw attention to the tops and bottoms in the United States’ ACT performance. Find out if your state has was included below!

Highest ACT State Scores: Connecticut and Massachusetts

Connecticut and Massachusetts were the two states with the most ACT scores in the United States in 2023. They had an average composite score of 26.4 just shy of District of Columbia (26.0) , California (25.7), and New York (25.3).

However, it is observed that these states/districts have a low ACT participation. Connecticut and Massachusetts are only 8 percent, District of Columbia has 17 percent, California has just 4 percent as well New York has 9%. This is due to the fact that there is a higher percentage of SAT tends to be more well-liked in these states and districts.

What does this information suggest? It suggests that students who take the ACT in these states are driven students who are looking to enhance their application which will result in more of an average ACT score.

Team Players: 100% ACT Participation

Six states have 100 100% ACT participation. These states have adopted the ACT (or in the case of Tennessee, it is the ACT as well as the SAT) as a compulsory element of their statewide test programs, which helps students at high schools prepare for college application.

  • Alabama
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Nevada
  • Tennessee
  • Wyoming

Highest ACT State Score With 100% Participation: Wyoming and Kentucky

Of the eight states that have 100 percent ACT participation The state with the most scores is certainly one to boast about since that score represents the whole high school population in the state.

Which one is it? Wyoming is top of the list with an 19.0 mean composite. The second-place finisher comes from Kentucky which has the 18.7 score. The average of the composite is 18.7.

Lowest Participation: Maine

Maine has the upper hand only 2% of the pupils taking ACT. This could be because the SAT remains the most popular test in this Northeastern State. However the SAT that was previously mandatory in Maine it is now an option also.

Lowest ACT State Score: Nevada

Nevada is awash with the honor of having an average of lowest ACT score, having an average composite score of 17.2.

The reason for this low average is due to the fact that Nevada required all-state ACT testing in the year the year 2016. In general, large jumps in test takers usually cause lower scores. This new average is considerably less than Nevada’s 2015 average of 21 back in the days when only a handful of pupils took the ACT.

As the ACT becomes an integral part of Nevada’s state-wide testing program the averages are likely to rise.

Key Takeaways: Average ACT Scores by State

As you can see, the typical ACT score can vary quite significantly based on the state you’re in.

The average national total ACT score for the ACT is 19.5–but the averages of many states are either higher or lower than this. The general rule is that states that have 100% participation rates typically have higher averages states that have low participation rates are likely towards having higher scores.

For those interested in notable states In terms of notable states, here’s a quick summary on the ACT “awards” we gave previously:

  • The highest ACT State Scores: Connecticut and Massachusetts (26.4 average)
  • Team Players: 100% ACT Participation
    • Alabama
    • Louisiana
    • Kentucky
    • Nevada
    • Mississippi
    • Oklahoma
    • Tennessee
    • Wyoming
  • Score with 100% Participation: Wyoming (19.0 average)

  • Lowest ACT State Score: Nevada (17.2 average)

If you’re interested in the ACT score you should strive for in order to be above the state average just go back here, look at the chart, and then see whether your state was included in it into our Hall of Fame!