A 26 on the ACT is a strong score that places you in the 86th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than roughly 86 out of every 100 recent high school graduates who took the test. For most college applications and scholarship opportunities, a 26 puts you in a competitive position.
What the 86th Percentile Actually Means
ACT percentiles are based on the scores of high school graduates from the three most recent testing years. The current rankings draw from the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025. Scoring in the 86th percentile doesn’t just mean you did “pretty well.” It means that out of the roughly 1.3 million students who take the ACT each year, only about 14 percent scored higher than you did.
To put it in perspective, the ACT composite scale runs from 1 to 36. A 20 or 21 is roughly average. A 26 sits comfortably above that midpoint, closer to the top tier than to the middle of the pack.
How a 26 Stacks Up for College Admissions
Whether a 26 is “good enough” depends entirely on where you’re applying. At most public universities and many private colleges, a 26 falls within or above the middle 50 percent of admitted students. Schools with acceptance rates above 50 percent will generally view a 26 as a solid score, and it will check the box for many scholarship considerations at those institutions.
At highly selective schools with acceptance rates below 20 percent, the middle 50 percent for admitted students typically starts around 32 or 33. A 26 would land below their typical range, though admissions decisions weigh GPA, extracurriculars, essays, and other factors alongside test scores. Some of these schools have also adopted test-optional policies, giving you the choice of whether to submit.
For the broad middle tier of colleges, which includes hundreds of well-regarded state universities and private institutions, a 26 is competitive. If your GPA aligns with your score, you’re in a strong position for admission.
College Readiness Benchmarks
The ACT sets specific benchmark scores for each subject area. These benchmarks represent the score at which a student has roughly a 50 percent chance of earning a B or higher in the corresponding first-year college course, and about a 75 to 80 percent chance of earning at least a C.
- English: 18 (for English Composition I)
- Math: 22 (for College Algebra)
- Reading: 22 (for introductory social science courses)
- Science: 23 (for introductory Biology)
- STEM: 26 (for Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering)
If your composite is 26, you’re likely meeting or exceeding the benchmarks in most subjects. The STEM benchmark of 26 is the highest of all the readiness thresholds, so hitting that mark on your math and science sections signals you’re prepared for demanding college-level coursework in technical fields. Look at your individual section scores, not just the composite. A 26 composite could come from a 30 in English and a 22 in math, or the reverse. The section scores tell you where your strengths are and whether any subject area falls below benchmark.
Scholarship Opportunities With a 26
A 26 opens the door to merit-based financial aid at many colleges. State universities frequently set automatic scholarship thresholds in the 25 to 28 range for partial tuition awards, with higher amounts reserved for scores of 30 and above. These vary by school, and the best way to find specifics is to check the financial aid or admissions page of each college on your list.
Some national programs also use a 26 as a minimum. Air Force ROTC scholarships, for example, require a minimum composite of 26. Other competitive programs may set their floor at 27 or 28, so you’re right at the edge of qualifying for a wide range of awards.
If you’re currently sitting at a 26 and eyeing a scholarship that requires a 28 or 29, retaking the ACT is worth considering. A two- or three-point improvement is realistic with focused preparation, and it can translate into thousands of dollars in aid over four years.
When Retaking the ACT Makes Sense
A 26 is a score you can feel good about, but whether to retake depends on your goals. If your target schools have a middle 50 percent ACT range of 24 to 28, your score already fits. Spending another Saturday morning at a test center may not change your admissions outcome.
If you’re aiming for schools where admitted students typically score 29 or higher, or if a scholarship you want has a cutoff just above your score, retaking makes sense. Most students who retake the ACT improve by one to three points, especially with targeted studying in their weakest section. Review your section scores to find where the lowest-hanging fruit is. A student scoring 23 in math and 29 in English, for instance, would benefit most from math prep.
You can take the ACT up to 12 times, and most colleges accept superscoring, where they consider your highest section scores across multiple test dates to form your best possible composite. That policy makes retaking lower risk, since a bad day on one section won’t erase a previous strong performance.
Putting Your Score in Context
A 26 is above average by a comfortable margin and competitive at the majority of four-year colleges in the country. It meets the ACT’s own college readiness standards across all subject areas and qualifies you for real scholarship money. For students targeting elite institutions, it may fall short of the typical admitted range, but for most applicants, a 26 reflects strong preparation and positions you well for both admission and financial aid.