When 1.91 million test-takers sit for the exam each year, a 19 composite score places you at the 44th percentile—considered below average since the national average typically falls at 20–21. You have a good shot at getting admitted to 188 schools, but you’re missing out on 1322 schools.
Your slightly below respectable score demonstrates adequate academic preparation for college, though 56% of students scored higher. Consider retaking the test to become more competitive candidate—use an enhanced act score calculator to see which schools align with your percentile or where you could reach.
How Does 19 Compare to the National Average?
Counselors view a 19 as a baseline score that places you in the lower-middle group among college-bound students—specifically 1-2 points below national mean since the national average ACT score typically falls at 20–21. Compared to this benchmark, you’re slightly below average, not strong for students aiming at competitive four-year colleges where score in the 20s or higher shows you’re prepared for college-level work. Using ACT Vocabulary Flashcards can help bridge this gap, as your 19 places you outside the middle of the pack, though not exceptionally so.
What Colleges Can I Get Into with an ACT Score of 19?
Safety schools like East-West University, Saint Elizabeth University, Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, and Pine Manor College are easier to get into with 19—you’re very likely to get admitted if you apply. Use Colleges by ACT Score Lookup to find where you’re already strongly competitive.
Georgia Southern University, University of California Merced, California State University Sacramento, and Kean University are equally hard to get into where average ACT scores are close to 19. You have a decent chance at admission but need strong GPA and essays to stand out here.
Reach schools like Florida Gulf Coast University, University of North Texas, and Washington State University are harder to get into because their average ACT scores are higher than 19. You’re below average for admitted students, so you’d require exceptional other credentials to compete.
At selective colleges (the roughly top 50 well-known universities), your 19 falls well below their typical range where the middle 50% ACT ranges sit in the high 20s or low 30s. These more selective institutions typically post scores you can’t match currently.
Highly selective colleges (the top 20, Ivies, most competitive institutions) report middle 50% ACT ranges of 33–35+, making 19 likely not competitive. At these top choice colleges, your score is well below the 25th percentile of admitted students they accept.
If you improved your ACT score by 4 points, you’d be competitive at 652 more schools and significantly improve your chances from 9.94% to 44.42%. Check out the What Are My Chances tool or talk to your guidance counselor about colleges you’re interested in applying to.
Should I Retake the ACT?
The bottom line on retesting comes down to your realistic potential for improvement—if one section lagged well behind others, retake makes sense. Look at your detailed results breakdown which gives a separate score for each area of study to determine which subjects need most improvement.
Think about your bandwidth for test prep: many students experience score increases when retaking the ACT after studying using test prep books, attending workshops, or working with a tutor. Budget more study time in those areas between now and your retest date to see worthwhile results.
Here are reasons to consider a retake—if you’re aiming at selective schools where 19 is below their typical range, improving to 21–23 could significantly expand your college options and scholarship opportunities. Research the average admitted student profile at schools you’re interested in for clearer indication.
Reasons not to retake: if your 19 already qualifies for admission at many colleges on your college list that focuses on schools where 19 is competitive, and you have limited time, focusing on other parts of your application might be more productive than retesting. Ultimately, submit with confidence if building a strong overall application matters more.
Before your retest date, it’s a good idea to learn about ACT test taking strategies: remember to skip more difficult questions on your first pass through each section so you don’t run out of time answering everything. The ACT doesn’t penalize incorrect answers, so utilize process of elimination on tough questions for better chance at picking the correct one.
If retaking the ACT isn’t feasible, analyze your college application as a total package to determine next steps—may be you need to re-arrange your college and university choices. Consider applying to test optional colleges that don’t require standardized testing and put much more focus on GPA, personal statement, and extracurriculars. Make sure the rest of application is on par.
Reach, Match, and Safety Schools
| School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg | Your Match |
|---|
Reach schools like highly selective universities, the Ivies, and their peers typically admit students with ACTs of 34–35, making 19 well below their typical range. These become significant reaches requiring exceptional other qualifications—context matters when understanding your chances here.
Match or target schools outside the ultra-elite tier—think regional universities, many solid universities, less selective private colleges, and some state flagships—have middle 50% ranges in the high teens to low 20s where 19 commonly lands near the 50th percentile, making you a realistic candidate.
Safety schools where typical ranges sit in the high teens to low 20s mean 19 is at or above the norm—you’re likely admitted and may qualify for honors programs too. When building a list, focus on schools where 19 sits at or above the 25th percentile. Include some reaches but be realistic.
ACT Score and Selective Schools
At top-tier schools where 19 is generally below their typical ranges—often well below the 25th percentile—students with 19s are rarely admitted. Your score gets viewed as a weakness in your application, which means it’s not typical to succeed at the elite level. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible: exceptional other qualifications like near-perfect grades, outstanding activities, and compelling essays can sometimes overcome a lower test score, though realistically a 19 remains a significant hurdle.
Improving to 21–23 would help absolutely—even a few points can move you into a more competitive range at selective schools. If you’re targeting competitive colleges, a retake with focused preparation could significantly improve your chances of admission at these institutions.
19 ACT to SAT Equivalent
A 19 on the ACT is roughly equivalent to earning between 980 and 1010 on the SAT—though standardized test scores don’t necessarily make a complete 1:1 comparison since this is just a rough estimate of what you might earn on the other test. The SAT and ACT have different time management requirements and test a few difference skills, so if the ACT doesn’t seem to be working with your test-taking style, it’s worthwhile to take a practice SAT test to see what sort of score you could earn there.
FAQ Is 19 a Good ACT Score
What colleges can I get into with a 19 ACT score?
While you may not be competitive at the vast majority of highly selective colleges, you’re still eligible for numerous institutions that include schools worth adding to your Target list—specifically California State University-Fresno, Indiana State University, and Central Washington University are solid options where your score aligns well with their admission profiles.
What percentile is a 19 ACT score?
Meaning you score higher than 44% of all test takers, a 19 ACT score puts you in the 44th percentile nationally—positioning you slightly below the median among students who complete the exam each year, but still demonstrating adequate academic readiness for admission at numerous colleges and universities across the country.
What is the SAT equivalent of a 19 ACT score?
A 19 ACT score is roughly equivalent to earning between 980 and 1010 on the SAT, placing you in a similar competitive position for college admissions across both standardized testing formats—though actual performance may vary depending on which test format better suits your individual strengths and test-taking approach.
What scholarships can you get with a 19 ACT score?
While a 19 ACT score likely won’t earn you many merit scholarships based purely on test performance, there are plenty of other types of scholarships available—including ones tied to your passions, extracurriculars, and life circumstances that don’t prioritize standardized testing at all. Start looking for scholarships today that align with your unique background, community involvement, career interests, or demographic characteristics rather than focusing solely on score-based awards.