25 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 25 ACT Score

A 25 ACT Score is Competitive (74th percentile). You are well above the national average (approx. 19.9). This score is the 'Sweet Spot' for most four-year public universities.

Common Data Set (CDS) Fact: According to Section C8 of the CDS, many institutions in this tier rank standardized tests as 'Considered' rather than 'Very Important.' Your GPA will carry more weight, but your 25 provides the necessary validation of your transcript.

Best Colleges for 25 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 25 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance RateStatus
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance RateStatus
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New Kensington Pennsylvania State University-Penn State New KensingtonPennsylvania 2527 93.31% SOLID MATCH
Saint Anselm College Saint Anselm CollegeNew Hampshire 2527 78.32% SOLID MATCH
Western New England University Western New England UniversityMassachusetts 2527 83.26% SOLID MATCH
James Madison University James Madison UniversityVirginia 2529 76.25% SOLID MATCH
Ohio Northern University Ohio Northern UniversityOhio 2529 73.35% SOLID MATCH
Marymount Manhattan College Marymount Manhattan CollegeNew York 2529 78.88% SOLID MATCH
University of Central Florida University of Central FloridaFlorida 2529 39.52% SOLID MATCH
Quinnipiac University Quinnipiac UniversityConnecticut 2529 77% SOLID MATCH
George Mason University George Mason UniversityVirginia 2530 88.83% SOLID MATCH
University of Scranton University of ScrantonPennsylvania 2530 84.35% SOLID MATCH
University of Portland University of PortlandOregon 2530 95.39% SOLID MATCH
John Carroll University John Carroll UniversityOhio 2530 81.1% SOLID MATCH
Warren Wilson College Warren Wilson CollegeNorth Carolina 2530 77.62% SOLID MATCH
Nazareth University Nazareth UniversityNew York 2530 79.5% SOLID MATCH
Long Island University Long Island UniversityNew York 2530 89.77% SOLID MATCH
University of St Thomas University of St ThomasMinnesota 2530 84.94% SOLID MATCH
Washington College Washington CollegeMaryland 2530 65.54% SOLID MATCH
Ball State University Ball State UniversityIndiana 2530 71.6% SOLID MATCH
Saint Mary's College Saint Mary's CollegeIndiana 2530 81.11% SOLID MATCH
Valparaiso University Valparaiso UniversityIndiana 2530 92.22% SOLID MATCH
Florida Southern College Florida Southern CollegeFlorida 2530 59.07% SOLID MATCH
United States Coast Guard Academy United States Coast Guard AcademyDelaware 2530 24.32% COMP. MATCH
University of Redlands University of RedlandsCalifornia 2530 80.92% SOLID MATCH
Texas A&M University-College Station Texas A&M University-College StationTexas 2531 63.25% SOLID MATCH
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTennessee 2531 45.99% SOLID MATCH
Moore College of Art and Design Moore College of Art and DesignPennsylvania 2531 60.51% SOLID MATCH
Allegheny College Allegheny CollegePennsylvania 2531 58.53% SOLID MATCH
Ohio Wesleyan University Ohio Wesleyan UniversityOhio 2531 50.67% SOLID MATCH
Le Moyne College Le Moyne CollegeNew York 2531 75.29% SOLID MATCH
Drew University Drew UniversityNew Jersey 2531 69.44% SOLID MATCH
The College of New Jersey The College of New JerseyNew Jersey 2531 62.14% SOLID MATCH
Missouri University of Science and Technology Missouri University of Science and TechnologyMissouri 2531 73.07% SOLID MATCH
Gustavus Adolphus College Gustavus Adolphus CollegeMinnesota 2531 61.8% SOLID MATCH
Michigan Technological University Michigan Technological UniversityMichigan 2531 87.94% SOLID MATCH
Wentworth Institute of Technology Wentworth Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts 2531 85.37% SOLID MATCH
Northwest Nazarene University Northwest Nazarene UniversityIllinois 2531 62.95% SOLID MATCH
Bradley University Bradley UniversityIllinois 2531 76.66% SOLID MATCH
Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinois 2531 55.42% SOLID MATCH
Mercer University Mercer UniversityGeorgia 2531 66.46% SOLID MATCH
University of Alabama in Huntsville University of Alabama in HuntsvilleAlabama 2531 74.25% SOLID MATCH
Auburn University Auburn UniversityAlabama 2531 50.47% SOLID MATCH
The University of Texas at Dallas The University of Texas at DallasTexas 2532 65.46% SOLID MATCH
University of Dallas University of DallasTexas 2532 54.2% SOLID MATCH
New Jersey Institute of Technology New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew Jersey 2532 66.9% SOLID MATCH
University of Illinois Chicago University of Illinois ChicagoIllinois 2532 78.5% SOLID MATCH
University of Georgia University of GeorgiaGeorgia 2532 37.2% SOLID MATCH
University of Hartford University of HartfordConnecticut 2532 83.01% SOLID MATCH
New York Institute of Technology New York Institute of TechnologyNew York 2533 78.08% SOLID MATCH
Thomas Aquinas College Thomas Aquinas CollegeCalifornia 2533 78.71% SOLID MATCH
Delaware Valley University Delaware Valley UniversityPennsylvania 2427 92.49% SOLID MATCH
University of North Carolina School of the Arts University of North Carolina School of the ArtsNorth Carolina 2427 33.1% SOLID MATCH
SUNY Polytechnic Institute SUNY Polytechnic InstituteNew York 2427 78.44% SOLID MATCH
Berea College Berea CollegeKentucky 2427 32.71% SOLID MATCH
Neumont College of Computer Science Neumont College of Computer ScienceUtah 2428 89.24% SOLID MATCH
DeSales University DeSales UniversityPennsylvania 2428 78.58% SOLID MATCH
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester University of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania 2428 79.2% SOLID MATCH
Moravian University Moravian UniversityPennsylvania 2428 54% SOLID MATCH
University of Mount Union University of Mount UnionOhio 2428 80.1% SOLID MATCH
University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Carolina WilmingtonNorth Carolina 2428 74.01% SOLID MATCH
Monmouth University Monmouth UniversityNew Jersey 2428 89.54% SOLID MATCH
Jacksonville University Jacksonville UniversityFlorida 2428 57.29% SOLID MATCH
Northwest University Northwest UniversityWashington 2429 88.05% SOLID MATCH
College of Charleston College of CharlestonSouth Carolina 2429 72% SOLID MATCH
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus University of Cincinnati-Main CampusOhio 2429 87.67% SOLID MATCH
Queens University of Charlotte Queens University of CharlotteNorth Carolina 2429 67.68% SOLID MATCH
State University of New York at New Paltz State University of New York at New PaltzNew York 2429 58.7% SOLID MATCH
Pace University Pace UniversityNew York 2429 77.14% SOLID MATCH
St. John Fisher University St. John Fisher UniversityNew York 2429 67.8% SOLID MATCH
St. John's University-New York St. John's University-New YorkNew York 2429 79.67% SOLID MATCH
Molloy University Molloy UniversityNew York 2429 75.64% SOLID MATCH
Carroll College Carroll CollegeMontana 2429 72.64% SOLID MATCH
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLouisiana 2429 74% SOLID MATCH
Wabash College Wabash CollegeIndiana 2429 62.78% SOLID MATCH
Illinois Wesleyan University Illinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois 2429 45.17% SOLID MATCH
New Saint Andrews College New Saint Andrews CollegeIdaho 2429 85.71% SOLID MATCH
Eckerd College Eckerd CollegeFlorida 2429 78.69% SOLID MATCH
University of South Florida University of South FloridaFlorida 2429 40.96% SOLID MATCH
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-PrescottArizona 2429 75.19% SOLID MATCH
Southwestern University Southwestern UniversityTexas 2430 39.07% SOLID MATCH
Roger Williams University Roger Williams UniversityRhode Island 2430 87.78% SOLID MATCH
Adelphi University Adelphi UniversityNew York 2430 77.51% SOLID MATCH
Creighton University Creighton UniversityNebraska 2430 72.31% SOLID MATCH
University of Massachusetts-Boston University of Massachusetts-BostonMassachusetts 2430 82.96% SOLID MATCH
St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's College of MarylandMaryland 2430 75.39% SOLID MATCH
Transylvania University Transylvania UniversityKentucky 2430 84.99% SOLID MATCH
Drake University Drake UniversityIowa 2430 64.13% SOLID MATCH
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona BeachFlorida 2430 66.28% SOLID MATCH
Florida Polytechnic University Florida Polytechnic UniversityFlorida 2430 55.73% SOLID MATCH
Biola University Biola UniversityCalifornia 2430 60.08% SOLID MATCH
Alfred University Alfred UniversityNew York 2431 48.33% SOLID MATCH
United States Naval Academy United States Naval AcademyMaryland 2431 9.36% ELITE REACH
The University of Alabama The University of AlabamaAlabama 2431 75.82% SOLID MATCH
Suffolk University Suffolk UniversityMassachusetts 2432 84.74% SOLID MATCH
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFlorida 2432 61.75% SOLID MATCH
University of Tulsa University of TulsaOklahoma 2433 57.99% SOLID MATCH
Methodist University Methodist UniversityNorth Carolina 2325 75.2% SOLID MATCH
University of Southern Maine University of Southern MaineMaine 2326 79.31% SOLID MATCH
Cairn University-Langhorne Cairn University-LanghornePennsylvania 2327 83.56% SOLID MATCH
Chatham University Chatham UniversityPennsylvania 2327 70.11% SOLID MATCH
State University of New York at Oswego State University of New York at OswegoNew York 2327 80.39% SOLID MATCH
Niagara University Niagara UniversityNew York 2327 85.34% SOLID MATCH
Wagner College Wagner CollegeNew York 2327 83.46% SOLID MATCH
University of Louisiana at Lafayette University of Louisiana at LafayetteLouisiana 2327 88.83% SOLID MATCH
Goshen College Goshen CollegeIndiana 2327 88.94% SOLID MATCH
North Central College North Central CollegeIllinois 2327 58.31% SOLID MATCH
University of Houston University of HoustonTexas 2328 69.53% SOLID MATCH
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend CollegePennsylvania 2328 95.71% SOLID MATCH
Otterbein University Otterbein UniversityOhio 2328 83.3% SOLID MATCH
Elon University Elon UniversityNorth Carolina 2328 67.31% SOLID MATCH
SUNY Oneonta SUNY OneontaNew York 2328 70.15% SOLID MATCH
Houghton University Houghton UniversityNew York 2328 92.7% SOLID MATCH
The University of Montana The University of MontanaMontana 2328 95.6% SOLID MATCH
Drury University Drury UniversityMissouri 2328 58.87% SOLID MATCH
University of Minnesota-Duluth University of Minnesota-DuluthMinnesota 2328 81.75% SOLID MATCH
Elmhurst University Elmhurst UniversityIllinois 2328 75.74% SOLID MATCH
Trinity Christian College Trinity Christian CollegeIllinois 2328 88.65% SOLID MATCH
Florida Institute of Technology Florida Institute of TechnologyFlorida 2328 62.53% SOLID MATCH
Western Washington University Western Washington UniversityWashington 2329 91.31% SOLID MATCH
Christopher Newport University Christopher Newport UniversityVirginia 2329 87.96% SOLID MATCH
Hollins University Hollins UniversityVirginia 2329 70.86% SOLID MATCH

Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 23 to 27. We are also showing you the 25th percentile and 75th percentile ACT Score of the admitted students so that you can have a clear understanding of how many students score what ACT Score. If your 25 ACT Score is higher than 25th percentile, it means your score is better than the quarter of the admitted students, and if it is higher than 75th percentile, then it means your ACT score of 25 is higher than 75% of the students admitted at that school.

Choose a college where your score is near to 75th percentile, this will maximize your chances of admission. You can also apply to other schools as well, but to be on safe side, you must apply to at least 2-3 such schools and colleges.

Data Methodology & Expert Verification

The admission statuses (Elite Reach, Competitive Match, etc.) displayed on this page are calculated using a proprietary 7-tier multivariate logic. Unlike static lists, our algorithm cross-references the student's score of 25 against:

  • 2024-2025 Common Data Set (CDS): Specifically Section C8 (Standardized Testing) and Section C9 (Percentiles).
  • IPEDS Analytics: Latest federal reporting on institutional acceptance rates.
  • 2026 Trend Analysis: Adjustments for schools that have recently reinstated mandatory testing (e.g., Brown, Dartmouth, Harvard).

Note: Standardized test scores are one component of a holistic application. For 2026, many institutions place "Very Important" weight on the rigors of your secondary school record and GPA.

FAQ for ACT 25 Score

How does a 25 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 25 ACT is approximately equivalent to a 1200 SAT. It’s still a respectable score for many colleges.

What scholarships are available for a 25 ACT score?

At this score, you may qualify for some partial merit scholarships, especially at mid-tier universities.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 25 ACT score?

Ivy League schools typically require higher scores. While a 25 is below their average, it may help with state schools and less selective colleges.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

If you’re aiming for an Ivy League school, retaking the ACT may be beneficial. This score is fine for many schools, but top-tier schools will require higher scores.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is 20–21. A 25 places you well above average.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 25 ACT score if submitted?

Yes, even if a school is test-optional, submitting a 25 will strengthen your application and help you stand out.

What GPA is a 25 ACT?

A 25 ACT usually corresponds to a GPA between 2.8–3.0, which indicates a decent academic standing.

Can I get into NYU with a 25 ACT?

NYU typically admits students with ACT scores closer to 30, but a 25 may still make you a strong candidate if your GPA and extracurriculars are impressive.

Is 25 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard’s average score is significantly higher than 25. A 25 is lower than their typical range, but it could still be considered with outstanding grades and accomplishments.

Can I get into MIT with a 25 ACT?

MIT's average score is around 34, so a 25 is too low. Retaking the test would be necessary for a competitive application.

Can I get into Princeton with a 25 ACT score?

Princeton expects scores of 30 and above, so a 25 would not be competitive there. Consider improving your score for better options.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 27)?

Improving to 27 would increase your chances at more competitive schools and increase scholarship opportunities.

Best Suited Colleges for ACT Score

36 ACT Score Best Colleges35 ACT Score Best Colleges34 ACT Score Best Colleges
33 ACT Score Best Colleges32 ACT Score Best Colleges31 ACT Score Best Colleges
30 ACT Score Best Colleges29 ACT Score Best Colleges28 ACT Score Best Colleges
27 ACT Score Best Colleges26 ACT Score Best Colleges25 ACT Score Best Colleges
24 ACT Score Best Colleges23 ACT Score Best Colleges22 ACT Score Best Colleges
21 ACT Score Best Colleges20 ACT Score Best Colleges19 ACT Score Best Colleges
18 ACT Score Best Colleges17 ACT Score Best Colleges16 ACT Score Best Colleges
15 ACT Score Best Colleges14 ACT Score Best Colleges13 ACT Score Best Colleges