Looking at your college ACT lookup tool needs, most students and parents miss this key point. You’re comparing apples and oranges when you digest admission statistics across different institutions. Test score requirements get loaded into databases uniquely. Major American universities and state schools handle score ranges differently. This makes it important now more than ever before. You need to grasp what those numbers return when searched.

What makes a nifty lookup tool useful? It’s not just information about colleges and universities. Ivy Leagues and regional schools have similar data but different frameworks. The standardized testing results matter. Whether SAT or ACT section scores were required and scored, they came from previous students. Teachers and counselors rely on this built data for admission guidance. Yet the test numbers you compare need more context beyond simple rankings.

Find Colleges That Match Your ACT Score

Your ACT score opens certain doors and narrows others. Understanding where you fit in the college admissions landscape helps you build a realistic, strategic college list that includes schools where you’ll be competitive.

What Are ACT College Codes? (And Why You Need Them)

ACT college codes are four-digit numbers that identify specific colleges and universities in the United States. ACT, Inc. assigns each institution a unique code to prevent confusion when students send their test scores.

Think of these codes like ZIP codes for colleges. They ensure your scores arrive at exactly the right place, even when multiple schools have similar names.

Why These Codes Exist

Imagine writing "University of Texas" on your score report. Should ACT send your scores to the University of Texas at Austin, UT Dallas, UT San Antonio, or one of the other 12 UT System campuses? Without specific codes, your scores might end up at the wrong school entirely.

ACT college codes solve this problem. Each campus gets its own unique identifier. The University of Texas at Austin uses code 4240, while UT Dallas uses 6878. This precision matters when you're investing time and money in your college applications.

What ACT Codes Look Like

Every ACT college code contains exactly four digits. Here are some examples:

• University of California, Los Angeles: 0448
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology: 1858
• University of Florida: 0758
• Ohio State University: 1592

Some organizations also have special codes. The NCAA Eligibility Center uses code 9999, while various ROTC scholarship programs have their own designated numbers.

Important Note About SAT Codes

ACT codes differ completely from SAT college codes. The College Board maintains a separate coding system for SAT score reports. Never assume the codes are interchangeable. Always look up the specific code for each test when sending scores.

When You'll Need ACT College Codes

You'll use these codes at several critical points in your college journey:

During ACT Registration: You can select up to four colleges to receive your scores for free. You'll need their codes to complete your registration.

After Receiving Scores: When you want to send additional score reports to more schools, you'll request them by code.

For Scholarship Applications: Many scholarship programs require ACT scores sent directly from ACT, Inc. using specific codes.

On Test Day Materials: Some testing centers ask you to write college codes on answer sheets, though this practice has become less common with online registration.

The bottom line? These four-digit codes are your ticket to getting scores where they need to go. Keep them handy throughout your application process.

How to Find ACT College Codes (4 Proven Methods)

Finding college ACT codes is easier than most students realize. You have multiple reliable options, and you don't need to memorize anything before test day.

Method 1: Use Our Interactive Search Tool

The quickest way to find any college code is using our search tool at the top of this page. Simply type a college name, and you'll see results instantly.

Why this method works best:

• Real-time search across 3,500+ institutions
• Filter by state or college type to narrow results
• See ACT ranges and admission rates alongside codes
• Save your favorite colleges to a personal list
• Works perfectly on mobile devices

No registration required. No downloads necessary. Just search and find.

Method 2: Official ACT Code Lookup

ACT, Inc. maintains an official lookup tool on their website at act.org. Navigate to the "Scores" section and select "College Codes Lookup."

Here's how to use it:

Step 1: Visit the ACT official website and locate the College Codes Lookup page.

Step 2: Choose whether you're searching for U.S. colleges or international institutions.

Step 3: Enter the college name in the search box. You can also search by city or state if you don't know the exact name.

Step 4: Review the results list. Many large universities have multiple campus codes listed separately.

Step 5: Write down the correct code for your specific campus of interest.

The official ACT tool also lets you download a complete CSV file with all institution codes. This comprehensive list includes colleges, high schools, and scholarship organizations. The file gets updated quarterly, so download the most recent version.

Method 3: During ACT Registration

When you register for the ACT online, the system includes a built-in code search function. This integration makes selecting your free score recipients incredibly simple.

The process works like this:

You'll reach a section titled "Score Recipients" during registration. Instead of entering codes manually, you can search by typing college names. As you type, matching colleges appear in a dropdown menu.

Select up to four colleges from the results. The system automatically fills in their codes. You'll see the college name, city, and code displayed together so you can verify you've chosen the correct campus.

This method eliminates the need to look up codes beforehand. However, many students prefer researching their college list in advance rather than making decisions during the time-limited registration process.

Method 4: Contact Colleges Directly

When you can't find a code through online searches, reaching out to the admissions office always works.

Three ways to get codes from colleges:

Call the admissions office: Ask specifically for their ACT institution code for undergraduate admissions. Have a pen ready because they'll give you the four-digit code immediately.

Check the college website: Most colleges list their ACT code on their admissions requirements page or their "How to Apply" section. Look for pages about standardized testing or score submission.

Use the college application portal: Once you create an account in a college's application system, you can often find their ACT code listed in the testing section.

Pro Tips for Code Success

Save codes in multiple places. Store them in your phone notes, write them in a notebook, and keep a backup in your email. You'll reference these codes multiple times throughout your application season.

Double-check campus locations. Large university systems often have dozens of campuses. Make absolutely certain you're using the code for the specific campus you're applying to, not the system headquarters or a different branch.

Verify graduate versus undergraduate codes. Some institutions use different codes for undergraduate and graduate admissions. High school students should always use the undergraduate code.

Look up codes even if you think you know them. Don't rely on memory or outdated information. Codes occasionally change when institutions merge or reorganize.

Bookmark this page for quick reference. You'll need to look up codes multiple times during application season. Having a trusted resource saved makes the process faster.

Remember, you never need to have codes memorized on test day. The registration system handles everything electronically now. Your goal is simply to select the right colleges when the time comes.

How to Send Your ACT Scores to Colleges (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)

Sending ACT scores to colleges involves more than just knowing college codes. Understanding when to send, how much it costs, and which scores to submit can save you money and improve your application strategy.

Sending Scores During Registration (The Free Option)

ACT offers every student four free score reports as part of their registration fee. These are the most cost-effective score sends you'll ever get, but they come with specific rules.

When to select your free recipients: You must choose your four colleges when you register for the ACT or by the Thursday following your test date. After that deadline passes, all additional score reports cost money.

How the free reports work:

First, understand that ACT doesn't send scores immediately after you test. Your scores typically release 2-8 weeks after your test date, depending on whether you took the writing section.

When you select free recipients during registration, ACT automatically sends your scores to those four colleges as soon as scores are released. You don't need to take any additional action.

Strategic considerations for free sends:

This is where test timing matters. Since you're selecting colleges before you know your score, you're taking a calculated risk.

Smart strategy: Use your free sends for colleges where you're likely to apply regardless of your score. These might include:

• Your safety schools with admission requirements below your practice test averages
• State schools with generous automatic admission policies
• Colleges you've already visited and know you'll apply to
• Schools with relatively low score requirements

Risky strategy: Sending to reach schools before seeing your score. If you score lower than expected, those schools will have your weaker performance on file. While you can send better scores later, some research suggests colleges may consider all scores they receive, even when they claim to use only your best.

How to select your free recipients:

Step 1: During online ACT registration, you'll reach the "Score Report Recipients" section after completing your personal information and test center selection.

Step 2: Use the search function to find colleges by name, city, or state. You can also enter a four-digit code if you already know it.

Step 3: As you type, matching results appear. Select the correct college from the dropdown menu. Pay close attention to campus locations for multi-campus systems.

Step 4: The selected college appears in your recipients list with its name, code, city, and state visible. Verify this is the correct campus.

Step 5: Repeat for up to four colleges total. You can choose fewer than four if you prefer.

Step 6: Review your complete list before submitting your registration. Changes after the Thursday deadline following your test date will cost $18 per recipient.

Sending Additional Score Reports After Testing

After you use your four free sends, each additional score report costs $18 as of 2025. Rush reports, which arrive in 2-3 business days instead of 1-2 weeks, cost $35 per recipient.

You have three methods for ordering additional reports:

Option 1: Online Through My ACT (Fastest Method)

Ordering online through your MyACT account is the quickest and most convenient method.

Complete online ordering process:

Step 1: Visit act.org and log into your MyACT account using the username and password you created during registration.

Step 2: From your dashboard, locate the "Test Dates and Scores" section. Click on "Send Your Scores."

Step 3: Select which test date you want to send. Remember, ACT sends all section scores from a single test date together. You cannot mix and match sections from different dates when sending reports.

Step 4: Click "Add Recipient" and search for colleges using the same search function you used during registration.

Step 5: Choose regular ($18) or rush ($35) reporting for each recipient.

Step 6: Review your order. The screen shows each recipient, the test date being sent, the cost per report, and your total.

Step 7: Enter payment information. ACT accepts major credit cards.

Step 8: Submit your order. You'll receive a confirmation email immediately.

Processing time: ACT begins processing online orders within 1-2 business days. Regular reports typically reach colleges within 1-2 weeks of processing. Rush reports arrive within 2-3 business days.

Option 2: By Phone

If you prefer speaking with a person or don't have access to your online account, call ACT's score services.

Phone number: 319-337-1313

What you'll need:

• Your ACT ID number (from your admission ticket or score report)
• Test date you want to send
• College codes or names for your recipients
• Credit card for payment

Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Central Time (closed on holidays)

Phone orders incur the same fees as online orders: $18 per regular report or $35 per rush report.

Customer service representatives can help you verify college codes, check that scores are still available for the test date you want to send, and answer questions about processing times.

Processing time: Phone orders typically process within 2-3 business days, with the same delivery timeframes as online orders afterward.

Option 3: By Mail

Mail ordering is the slowest method, but it works if you're unable to order online or by phone.

Step 1: Download the "Additional Score Report Request Form" from act.org. You'll find it under the Scores section.

Step 2: Complete all required fields including your personal information, test date, and recipient information.

Step 3: For each recipient, include the college name, code, city, and state.

Step 4: Calculate your total cost and include payment. ACT accepts checks or money orders made payable to "ACT." Include the appropriate fee per recipient.

Step 5: Mail everything to: ACT Additional Score Reports P.O. Box 451 Iowa City, IA 52243-0451

Processing time: Allow 3-4 weeks for mail orders to process and send. This includes mail delivery time, processing time, and electronic delivery to colleges.

Understanding Score Choice and Super scoring

These two concepts confuse many students, but they're actually quite different.

Score Choice: Your Sending Decision

Score Choice refers to your ability to choose which ACT test dates to send to colleges. Unlike the SAT's Score Choice program, ACT's policy is simpler:

When you order a score report, you select specific test dates. ACT sends all four section scores plus your composite from that complete test date. You cannot send only certain sections from a test date.

You can send one test date, multiple test dates, or all test dates to the same college. Each test date sent costs $18.

Example: You took the ACT in December (composite 28) and April (composite 31). You can:

• Send only April (colleges see only your 31)
• Send only December (colleges see only your 28)
• Send both (colleges see 28 and 31)

Superscoring: The College's Evaluation Method

Superscoring is a policy some colleges use where they take your highest section scores across all test dates you send and recalculate a new composite.

Example of superscoring:

December ACT:

• English: 30
• Math: 28
• Reading: 32
• Science: 27
• Composite: 29

April ACT:

• English: 28
• Math: 31
• Reading: 30
• Science: 30
• Composite: 30

If a college superscores, they would consider:

• English: 30 (from December)
• Math: 31 (from April)
• Reading: 32 (from December)
• Science: 30 (from April)
• Superscore Composite: 31

Critical point: Superscoring is the college's policy, not something you control when sending scores. ACT always sends complete test dates. The college decides whether to superscore after receiving your reports.

Which colleges superscore the ACT?

Superscoring policies vary widely. Some highly selective colleges superscore, while others consider only your highest single-sitting composite. Many colleges fall somewhere in between, considering all scores holistically.

Always check each college's specific policy. Don't assume.

Colleges that superscore ACT (partial list updated November 2025):

• MIT
• Duke University
• Emory University
• Boston College
• Northeastern University
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• Case Western Reserve University

Colleges that do NOT superscore ACT:

• Yale University
• Princeton University
• University of California System
• Stanford University
• Columbia University

Strategic Sending Decisions

Should you send all your test dates or just your best?

If a college doesn't superscore, sending multiple test dates with lower scores could potentially hurt more than help. However, showing score improvement over time can demonstrate dedication and growth.

If a college superscores, always send all test dates where you scored your highest in any section. The superscore could boost your application significantly.

What if you scored poorly on one test?

If you had one test with a significantly lower score (maybe you were sick or had test anxiety), you might choose not to send that test date. Since you control which dates to send, you can omit poor performances.

However, be aware that some colleges request all scores. Check their specific policies.

Sending Scores to Scholarship Programs

Many scholarships require official ACT score reports sent directly from ACT, Inc. These use the same ordering process as college reports.

National Merit Scholarship: Doesn't use ACT scores for qualification (uses PSAT), but finalists may need to send ACT scores to verify qualification for certain scholarships.

Local and state scholarships: Check each application. Some accept self-reported scores, while others need official reports.

Scholarship codes: Most scholarship organizations have their own ACT codes, different from college codes. Your scholarship application will specify the correct code.

Timeline for Sending Scores

How long does score reporting take?

Regular reporting (electronic delivery to colleges):

• ACT processes orders: 1-2 business days
• Electronic transmission to college: Within 1-2 weeks of processing
• Total time: Usually 2-3 weeks from order to college receipt

Rush reporting:

• ACT processes orders: 1 business day
• Electronic transmission: Within 2-3 business days
• Total time: Usually less than 1 week total

When should you send scores for different deadlines?

Early Decision/Early Action (usually November 1 or 15): Take the ACT by September or October at the latest. Order score reports immediately after receiving your scores in case you need rush reporting.

Regular Decision (typically January 1-15): The December or February ACT usually works fine for regular decision deadlines. Most colleges accept test dates through December or even February, but verify each college's policy.

Rolling Admissions: Send scores as soon as you have them. Earlier applications often have better odds at rolling admission schools.

General rule: Allow at least three weeks between your test date and the application deadline. Score processing and reporting takes time.

What Colleges See on Your Score Report

Official ACT score reports include:

Your scores from the selected test date:

• English section score (1-36)
• Math section score (1-36)
• Reading section score (1-36)
• Science section score (1-36)
• Composite score (1-36)
• Writing score if you took it (2-12)

Subscores and details:

• STEM score
• ELA score
• Understanding Complex Texts indicator
• Progress Toward Career Readiness indicator

Your information:

• Name, address, date of birth
• High school attended
• Intended college major (what you listed during registration)

What colleges DON'T see:

• Scores from other test dates (unless you send them)
• The number of times you've taken the ACT
• Scores you chose not to send

Understanding the score sending process helps you make strategic decisions about when to test, which scores to send, and how to present your strongest application to colleges.