You just got your ACT results and scored a 27. Now you’re probably wondering: Is 27 a good ACT score? What are your chances of getting into solid colleges?
A 27 ACT score is respectable and places you above average nationally. However, whether it’s enough for top-tier colleges depends on which schools you’re aiming for and the rest of your application.
In this blog, we’ll break down what a 27 ACT score means for admissions, how it compares to other scores, and whether retaking the test is worth considering.
- How Good Is a 27 ACT Score?
- 27 ACT to SAT Conversion
- Colleges You Can Get into with a 27 ACT Score
- Should You Retake the ACT?
- How to Improve Your ACT Score
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
How Good Is a 27 ACT Score?
A 27 ACT score is generally considered good when applying to colleges. It places you in the 88th percentile, meaning you scored better than 88% of test-takers. Since the national average is 19.5, 27 is significantly higher—by seven and a half points, to be exact. That’s a solid feat!
With a score of 27, you definitely have opportunities to get into good schools. However, keep in mind that colleges have different average ACT scores for admitted students. You’ll need to research the schools you’re interested in to see if your score falls within their typical range.
Most top-tier schools like the Ivies have average ACT scores between 32 and 36, so a 27 could make getting in pretty tough. Let’s take a look at the typical ACT score ranges across those eight colleges:
| School | 25th Percentile ACT Composite Score | 50th Percentile ACT Composite Score | 75th Percentile ACT Composite Score |
| Harvard | 34 | 35 | 36 |
| Princeton | 34 | 34 | 35 |
| Yale | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| Columbia | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| Brown | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| UPenn | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| Cornell | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| Dartmouth | 32 | 33 | 35 |
If you’re targeting these schools, you might want to retake the test to improve your chances. That said, while a 27 ACT score may be on the lower side for the Ivies, it still makes you a strong candidate at many other excellent schools. We’ll talk about it more below.
27 ACT percentile
So you scored a 27; how do you interpret that? Your percentile ranking shows how your score compares to other students who took the exam. In some ways, it’s even more important than your raw score since it reflects how you stack up against 1.4 million other applicants.
Your ACT scores include four subject areas: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each one is scored from 1 to 36 and reflects your college readiness in that subject. Your overall composite score is the average of these four subject scores.
On the other hand, your STEM score is the average of your Science and Math scores, which can improve your chances of getting into colleges, majors, or programs with a strong STEM focus. If you got a 27 in the ACT, here’s how it ranks overall and in each section:
| ACT Score | English | Math | Reading | Science | STEM | Composite |
| 27 | 88 | 91 | 82 | 90 | 90 | 88 |
Your rankings show how you performed compared to other high school students who took the ACT in the last three years. For example, your 27 ACT score puts you in the 88th percentile, landing you in the top 12% of test-takers nationally. In addition, that score places you in the 91st percentile in the Math section, meaning you did better than 91% of test-takers in that section.
Overall, a 27 ACT score is above average and is generally considered competitive by national standards. It showcases your critical thinking, reading, and problem-solving skills, proving you’re ready for college-level academics.
27 ACT to SAT Conversion
Now that you’ve gotten your ACT score, you might be wondering how it stacks up against the SAT, another standardized test used for college admissions.
A 27 on the ACT is roughly equivalent to a 1280 on the SAT. Both are solid scores and while they fall short of the Ivies and other ultra-competitive schools, your score still puts you in or near the typical range of many selective colleges.
But wait! How do these tests differ anyway? And how do you know which one is right for you?
The SAT and ACT are similar in structure and content, so you can’t really say one is harder than the other. Deciding which test to take ultimately depends on your personal strengths.
If math isn’t your strong suit, the ACT might be a better choice since math only counts for one-fourth of your total score. Similarly, if science isn’t your thing, then you might consider the SAT because it has no separate science section.
A good way to determine which test suits you better is to take both ACT and SAT practice tests. Then, compare your scores—the test you scored higher on is probably the better fit.
Colleges You Can Get into with a 27 ACT Score
A 27 ACT score opens doors to a wide range of colleges. While it might not be enough for the most elite schools, it’s still a pretty good score for many excellent colleges, such as:
1. Arizona State University
Acceptance rate: 90%
ACT range: 22-29
Arizona State University (ASU) is the biggest college in the U.S., with an enrollment of over 145,000. It’s known for its business and engineering programs, as well as its focus on sustainability. In fact, ASU ranks #1 in the U.S. and #10 worldwide for its efforts in education, research, and practice to support the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Pretty impressive, right? ASU isn’t just for straight-A students, though. With a 90% acceptance rate, it’s often on every student’s list of safety schools.
To get accepted as a freshman, you’ll need to either be in the top 25% of your graduating class, have at least a 3.0 GPA in your core classes, or score at least a 22 on the ACT if you’re from Arizona and a 24 if you’re not. Either way, with a 27 ACT score, you’re pretty much a shoo-in!
2. University of Kentucky
Acceptance rate: 92%
ACT range: 21-28
The University of Kentucky (UK) is a land-grant university in Lexington, Kentucky, with over 200 academic programs. It’s one of just eight schools in the country that offers liberal arts, engineering, professional, agricultural, and medical programs all on one connected campus.
If you’re into sports, you’ve probably heard of Kentucky’s Wildcats basketball team, who’ve won eight national championships. Their dance team is also one of the best college dance teams in the country, with many former members going on to dance for NFL teams.
With a 27 ACT score, you have a good chance of getting into UK. Plus, it’s one of the colleges with late application deadlines, so it’s worth considering if you’re still weighing your options.
3. University of Idaho
Acceptance rate: 79%
ACT range: 20-29
Another land-grant university on our list is the University of Idaho (U of I, or UIdaho). Founded in 1889, it’s the oldest public institution in the state and offers a variety of popular and strong programs, such as business, psychology, and engineering. It also stands out for its degrees in water resources, environmental policy, and wildlife management.
UIdaho is also known for its support for neurodivergent students. The Raven Scholars Program is an award-winning, personalized program that helps students on the autism spectrum succeed both academically and socially.
If you’re thinking about applying, keep in mind that UIdaho encourages students to submit test scores for admission and class placement. But with your 27 ACT score, there’s nothing to worry about!
4. Texas Tech University
Acceptance rate: 71%
ACT range: 22-28
Texas Tech University is one of the biggest colleges in Texas, with a student population of about 41,000. Located in Lubbock, Texas, the university’s 1,839-acre campus is full of culture, with beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style buildings, impressive public art, and a lively music and theater scene. It’s the second-largest contiguous campus in the U.S.
Texas Tech offers over 100 undergraduate programs, with some of its most popular majors in business, engineering, and health-related fields. It’s also widely recognized as a top college for military veterans and their families, so if that applies to you, then Texas Tech is definitely worth considering.
5. University of Tampa
Acceptance rate: 41%
ACT range: 23-27
If you’re looking for a college with warm weather all year, the University of Tampa (UT or UTampa) should be on your radar. Located in Tampa, Florida, it offers a vibrant city setting with plenty of cultural events, outdoor activities, and sunshine year-round.
UTampa has a lot of great undergrad programs, including business, marine science, and nursing. It also emphasizes personalized education, with small class sizes that make it easier for students and professors to interact.
While you don’t need to submit your test scores to apply, it’s a good idea if you think they reflect your potential. Since UTampa recommends ACT scores above 25, your 27 score is solid and could boost your application.
Should You Retake the ACT?
It’s really up to you! If you’re targeting elite schools like the Ivies or feel your 27 ACT score doesn’t fully reflect your capabilities, you can always retake the test and try for a higher score.
However, remember that you can realistically improve your score by just a couple of points. You might make better use of your time by focusing on other parts of your application, like your GPA, extracurriculars, supplemental essays, or recommendation letters.
Most colleges now implement a holistic review process anyway, so you’ll really need to craft a well-rounded application so admissions can get to know you beyond grades and test scores.
Plus, with so many colleges going test-optional, you might not even need to submit your ACT scores! You wouldn’t want all that time and effort to go to waste! Check your target schools’ updated application guidelines, and then decide.
Ultimately, whether you retake the ACT depends on your personal college goals. Talk to your guidance counselor, a college rep, or a test prep expert to help you figure out the best move.
How to Improve Your ACT Score
27 is already a solid score, but if you’re aiming for a higher one, below are some tips to help you perform better the second time around.
1. Identify areas of improvement.
Start by figuring out which section you struggle with the most. Take a practice test (or a few) and see which section you scored the lowest on. Once you know that, further analyze which topics or questions are tripping you up.
For example, you might struggle with geometry in Math or main idea questions in Reading. This way, you’ll know exactly what to focus on when you study.
2. Set your target score.
Setting a goal helps you track your progress. Any goal score is valid, but what’s important is that your goal matches your academic plans.
If you’re aiming for a highly selective college with an acceptance rate of less than 15%, you’ll want as close to a perfect score as possible. Or, if you’re eyeing your nearby state school, check the average ACT scores for admitted students and try to score a little higher than that.
3. Use official ACT prep materials.
There are available ACT materials online, so make the most of them! They can help you determine your strengths and weaknesses and streamline your study process. Plus, using official study materials, like the ACT Prep Guide or ACT Test Prep, allows you to familiarize yourself with the actual test format.
4. Work with a tutor.
Hiring a private tutor could be a good idea if you think you’d benefit from one-on-one help. Tutors are usually ACT experts who’ve scored really well themselves and have helped other students improve their own scores.
They’ll work with you at a time that fits your schedule and keep helping you for as long as you need. With a tutor, you’ll get personalized support and a study plan that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What percentile is a 27 on the ACT?
A 27 ACT score puts you in the 88th percentile, which means you got a higher score than 88% of test-takers. That translates to an above-average performance, making you a competitive applicant for many good colleges and universities.
2. How hard is it to get a 27 on the ACT?
Getting a 27 on the ACT can be challenging, but totally doable with the right preparation. It means you must score well across all four sections of the test: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Consider working with a tutor if you need extra guidance and support.
3. What is a good ACT score?
A “good” ACT score depends on your college goals. The more competitive the school, the higher your score needs to be. Generally, a score in the 24 to 30 range is considered strong for most schools. But for highly selective colleges, you’ll want to aim higher, around 32 or above.
Takeaways
- A 27 ACT score puts you in the 88th percentile, meaning you performed better than 88% of students nationwide.
- A 27 ACT score is roughly equivalent to a 1280 on the SAT, which is a solid score when applying to colleges.
- Your 27 ACT score makes you a competitive applicant for many universities, including Arizona State University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Tampa.
- Retaking the ACT is worth considering if you’re targeting elite colleges, but you can also focus on improving your GPA or acing your essays to strengthen your overall application.
- Check out AdmissionSight’s Private Consulting Program to get expert help on the ACT and help you get into your dream school.
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