A composite ACT score of 17 falls below the national average and below the benchmarks ACT sets for college readiness. It places you at roughly the 46th percentile, meaning about 54% of test-takers scored higher. That doesn’t mean your college plans are derailed, but it does signal room for improvement, and understanding what the number means can help you decide what to do next.
Where a 17 Falls Nationally
The national average composite ACT score is 19.2, based on recent graduating classes. A 17 puts you about two points below that average and at the 46th percentile. In practical terms, you scored higher than just under half of all ACT-tested students, but lower than slightly more than half. It’s not a catastrophically low score, but most colleges and scholarship programs will consider it below the competitive range.
ACT College Readiness Benchmarks
ACT publishes “college readiness benchmarks” for each subject area. These are the section scores that give you roughly a 50% chance of earning a B or higher in a corresponding entry-level college course. The benchmarks are 18 for English, 22 for math, 22 for reading, and 23 for science. A composite of 17 suggests you’re likely falling short of several of those thresholds, which means you may need additional preparation or developmental coursework before jumping into college-level classes in those subjects.
That said, a composite score is an average of your four section scores. You might have hit or exceeded the benchmark in one area while falling well below in another. Looking at your section scores individually tells you more than the composite alone.
What Colleges Accept a 17
A 17 will be within range at some open-admission institutions, community colleges, and a small number of four-year schools with broad access missions. Most community colleges don’t require an ACT score at all, and many four-year public universities with open or near-open admissions will accept students in this range, sometimes with the condition that you take placement tests or complete remedial courses first.
At selective four-year universities, a 17 will fall well below the typical admitted student’s score. Mid-range schools often report 25th-to-75th percentile ACT ranges starting in the low 20s, and more competitive schools start in the mid-20s or higher. If your target schools publish score ranges, compare your 17 directly to their 25th percentile number. If you’re below it, your score will be a weak point in your application.
Test-Optional Schools and Whether to Submit
Many colleges now allow you to apply without submitting standardized test scores. If your score of 17 falls below the median ACT score at a school you’re applying to, you’re generally better off not submitting it. Your GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation will carry more weight without a below-average test score pulling attention in the wrong direction.
A useful rule of thumb: look up the median or middle-50% ACT range for each school on your list. Submit your score where you’re at or above the median. Skip it where you’re below. Since a 17 will fall below the median at most four-year institutions, you’ll likely want to go test-optional at many of them.
How Much You Can Improve by Retaking
Retaking the ACT is common, and score increases are real but modest without focused preparation. The average composite score gain on a second attempt is about 1 point. Students who test a third time typically gain an additional half-point or so, with diminishing returns after that. So retaking the test without changing your study habits might move you from a 17 to an 18, which helps but won’t transform your application.
Targeted preparation can push gains higher. If you identify the sections where you’re weakest and spend several weeks working through practice material in those areas, jumps of 3 to 5 points are realistic for students starting in the mid-to-low range. Moving from a 17 to a 20 or 21 would bring you above the national average and closer to the college readiness benchmarks in most subjects.
Many colleges also accept a “superscore,” which takes your highest section score from each test date and combines them into a new composite. Superscoring produces larger gains than looking at any single sitting. Students who tested twice saw an average superscore gain of about 1.7 points over their original composite, and those who tested three times gained nearly 3 points total through superscoring. If you retake the exam, check whether your target schools superscore, because that policy works in your favor.
One timing note: ACT’s own research shows that scores tend to dip by about half a point when students retest after a summer break, likely due to lost momentum. If you’re planning to retake, staying consistent with practice through the summer rather than stepping away entirely can help preserve your gains.
What to Do With a 17
Start by breaking down your section scores. A composite of 17 could mean you scored evenly across all four subjects or that one or two sections dragged down an otherwise decent performance. Focus your study time on the weakest areas, especially math and science, where the readiness benchmarks are highest.
If you’re a junior, you have time to retake the test in the fall or winter of your senior year. Free and low-cost prep resources are widely available, including full-length practice tests from ACT itself. Even a few weeks of consistent, focused practice on your weakest section can make a meaningful difference.
If you’re a senior with limited time before application deadlines, lean into the test-optional policies available at many schools. Build the strongest possible application around your transcript, activities, and essays. A 17 doesn’t define your college options, but being strategic about when and where you submit it will work in your favor.