29 ACT Colleges: Best Schools for 29 ACT Score

A 29 ACT Score is Highly Competitive (85th percentile). You are highly competitive for flagship state universities (e.g., Michigan, UVA, UT Austin).

2026 Strategy: In the current admissions cycle, a 29 is a 'Golden Ticket' for merit scholarships at mid-tier private colleges.

Expert Insight: If you are targeting T20 schools, check their Middle-50% range. If 29 is below their 25th percentile, you may benefit from a test-optional submission, provided your GPA is exceptionally high.

Best Colleges for 29 ACT Score

Following is the list of best suited colleges with your 29 ACT Score.

LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance RateStatus
LogoCollegeStateACT 25th PercentileACT 75th PercentileAcceptance RateStatus
SUNY at Purchase College SUNY at Purchase CollegeNew York 2931 74.68% SOLID MATCH
Lewis & Clark College Lewis & Clark CollegeOregon 2932 68.59% SOLID MATCH
Ohio State University-Main Campus Ohio State University-Main CampusOhio 2932 52.72% SOLID MATCH
Denison University Denison UniversityOhio 2932 21.96% COMP. MATCH
St Lawrence University St Lawrence UniversityNew York 2932 63.5% SOLID MATCH
American University American UniversityDistrict of Columbia 2932 40.63% SOLID MATCH
Loyola Marymount University Loyola Marymount UniversityCalifornia 2932 41.31% SOLID MATCH
Bennington College Bennington CollegeVermont 2933 45.31% SOLID MATCH
Trinity University Trinity UniversityTexas 2933 30.51% SOLID MATCH
Rhode Island School of Design Rhode Island School of DesignRhode Island 2933 17.42% COMP. MATCH
Muhlenberg College Muhlenberg CollegePennsylvania 2933 65.51% SOLID MATCH
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPennsylvania 2933 49.14% SOLID MATCH
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr CollegePennsylvania 2933 30.75% SOLID MATCH
Sarah Lawrence College Sarah Lawrence CollegeNew York 2933 49.88% SOLID MATCH
Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester Institute of TechnologyNew York 2933 67.17% SOLID MATCH
Union College Union CollegeNew York 2933 46.51% SOLID MATCH
University of Massachusetts-Amherst University of Massachusetts-AmherstMassachusetts 2933 63.52% SOLID MATCH
Colorado College Colorado CollegeColorado 2933 16.3% COMP. MATCH
Santa Clara University Santa Clara UniversityCalifornia 2933 52.11% SOLID MATCH
Binghamton University Binghamton UniversityNew York 2934 41.75% SOLID MATCH
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIllinois 2934 44.82% SOLID MATCH
St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's College of MarylandMaryland 2830 77.3% SOLID MATCH
Seton Hall University Seton Hall UniversityNew Jersey 2831 75.07% SOLID MATCH
Fairfield University Fairfield UniversityConnecticut 2831 52.18% SOLID MATCH
University of Vermont University of VermontVermont 2832 59.79% SOLID MATCH
Rhodes College Rhodes CollegeTennessee 2832 53.91% SOLID MATCH
Clemson University Clemson UniversitySouth Carolina 2832 42.98% SOLID MATCH
Providence College Providence CollegeRhode Island 2832 52.78% SOLID MATCH
Ursinus College Ursinus CollegePennsylvania 2832 82.21% SOLID MATCH
Gettysburg College Gettysburg CollegePennsylvania 2832 56.31% SOLID MATCH
Ithaca College Ithaca CollegeNew York 2832 75.2% SOLID MATCH
Syracuse University Syracuse UniversityNew York 2832 51.75% SOLID MATCH
St. John's College St. John's CollegeNew Mexico 2832 54.08% SOLID MATCH
Bentley University Bentley UniversityMassachusetts 2832 57.88% SOLID MATCH
College of the Holy Cross College of the Holy CrossMassachusetts 2832 36.36% SOLID MATCH
Simmons University Simmons UniversityMassachusetts 2832 76.46% SOLID MATCH
Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of TechnologyIllinois 2832 61.44% SOLID MATCH
Knox College Knox CollegeIllinois 2832 73.32% SOLID MATCH
University of Denver University of DenverColorado 2832 77.68% SOLID MATCH
Pepperdine University Pepperdine UniversityCalifornia 2832 48.71% SOLID MATCH
Baylor University Baylor UniversityTexas 2833 45.88% SOLID MATCH
North Carolina State University at Raleigh North Carolina State University at RaleighNorth Carolina 2833 47.17% SOLID MATCH
Rutgers University-New Brunswick Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Jersey 2833 66.29% SOLID MATCH
St Olaf College St Olaf CollegeMinnesota 2833 56.41% SOLID MATCH
Clark University Clark UniversityMassachusetts 2833 50.32% SOLID MATCH
Wheaton College Wheaton CollegeIllinois 2833 88.43% SOLID MATCH
University of Florida University of FloridaFlorida 2833 23.35% COMP. MATCH
University of Connecticut University of ConnecticutConnecticut 2833 54.51% SOLID MATCH
United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force AcademyColorado 2833 16.23% COMP. MATCH
Stony Brook University Stony Brook UniversityNew York 2834 49.14% SOLID MATCH
Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Wesleyan UniversityVirginia 2729 81.43% SOLID MATCH
Pacific Lutheran University Pacific Lutheran UniversityWashington 2730 88.9% SOLID MATCH
Saint Michael's College Saint Michael's CollegeVermont 2730 85.15% SOLID MATCH
Valparaiso University Valparaiso UniversityIndiana 2730 94.15% SOLID MATCH
Patrick Henry College Patrick Henry CollegeVirginia 2731 75.85% SOLID MATCH
Champlain College Champlain CollegeVermont 2731 55.68% SOLID MATCH
Wofford College Wofford CollegeSouth Carolina 2731 60.18% SOLID MATCH
Thomas Jefferson University Thomas Jefferson UniversityPennsylvania 2731 88.85% SOLID MATCH
University of Portland University of PortlandOregon 2731 92.51% SOLID MATCH
Loyola University Chicago Loyola University ChicagoIllinois 2731 79.15% SOLID MATCH
University of Florida-Online University of Florida-OnlineFlorida 2731 64.64% SOLID MATCH
University of San Francisco University of San FranciscoCalifornia 2731 71.18% SOLID MATCH
Lawrence University Lawrence UniversityWisconsin 2732 72.27% SOLID MATCH
University of Puget Sound University of Puget SoundWashington 2732 82.66% SOLID MATCH
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVirginia 2732 56.98% SOLID MATCH
Brigham Young University Brigham Young UniversityUtah 2732 66.67% SOLID MATCH
The University of the South The University of the SouthTennessee 2732 52.32% SOLID MATCH
University of South Carolina-Columbia University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSouth Carolina 2732 64.05% SOLID MATCH
Furman University Furman UniversitySouth Carolina 2732 67.02% SOLID MATCH
Bryant University Bryant UniversityRhode Island 2732 68.81% SOLID MATCH
Drexel University Drexel UniversityPennsylvania 2732 79.61% SOLID MATCH
The College of Wooster The College of WoosterOhio 2732 56.27% SOLID MATCH
School of Visual Arts School of Visual ArtsNew York 2732 87.41% SOLID MATCH
Hobart William Smith Colleges Hobart William Smith CollegesNew York 2732 68.38% SOLID MATCH
Creighton University Creighton UniversityNebraska 2732 75.69% SOLID MATCH
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinnesota 2732 74.91% SOLID MATCH
Centre College Centre CollegeKentucky 2732 62.85% SOLID MATCH
Indiana University-Bloomington Indiana University-BloomingtonIndiana 2732 82.41% SOLID MATCH
University of Georgia University of GeorgiaGeorgia 2732 42.55% SOLID MATCH
Thomas Aquinas College Thomas Aquinas CollegeCalifornia 2732 84.73% SOLID MATCH
United States Military Academy United States Military AcademyNew York 2733 11.95% ELITE REACH
New Jersey Institute of Technology New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNew Jersey 2733 65.99% SOLID MATCH
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Wheaton College (Massachusetts)Massachusetts 2733 79.48% SOLID MATCH
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyIndiana 2733 73.02% SOLID MATCH
Purdue University-Main Campus Purdue University-Main CampusIndiana 2734 52.7% SOLID MATCH
Drew University Drew UniversityNew Jersey 2628 72.66% HIGH SAFETY
Juniata College Juniata CollegePennsylvania 2630 76.16% SOLID MATCH
Miami University-Oxford Miami University-OxfordOhio 2630 87.92% SOLID MATCH
Marist College Marist CollegeNew York 2630 62.85% SOLID MATCH
Saint Anselm College Saint Anselm CollegeNew Hampshire 2630 82.3% SOLID MATCH
California Lutheran University California Lutheran UniversityCalifornia 2630 87.18% SOLID MATCH
Marquette University Marquette UniversityWisconsin 2631 87.21% SOLID MATCH
Beloit College Beloit CollegeWisconsin 2631 65.86% SOLID MATCH
Gonzaga University Gonzaga UniversityWashington 2631 69.74% SOLID MATCH
DigiPen Institute of Technology DigiPen Institute of TechnologyWashington 2631 66.37% SOLID MATCH
Texas Christian University Texas Christian UniversityTexas 2631 56.1% SOLID MATCH
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPennsylvania 2631 55.21% SOLID MATCH
Saint Joseph's University Saint Joseph's UniversityPennsylvania 2631 88.68% SOLID MATCH
Pratt Institute-Main Pratt Institute-MainNew York 2631 50.45% SOLID MATCH
Le Moyne College Le Moyne CollegeNew York 2631 78.28% SOLID MATCH
Hofstra University Hofstra UniversityNew York 2631 69.33% SOLID MATCH
University of New Hampshire-Main Campus University of New Hampshire-Main CampusNew Hampshire 2631 86.99% SOLID MATCH
Saint Louis University Saint Louis UniversityMissouri 2631 84.71% SOLID MATCH
Springfield College Springfield CollegeMassachusetts 2631 75.63% SOLID MATCH
Lake Forest College Lake Forest CollegeIllinois 2631 59.72% SOLID MATCH
Mercer University Mercer UniversityGeorgia 2631 74.68% SOLID MATCH
Florida State University Florida State UniversityFlorida 2631 25.04% COMP. MATCH
University of Delaware University of DelawareDelaware 2631 73.81% SOLID MATCH
United States Coast Guard Academy United States Coast Guard AcademyConnecticut 2631 23.86% COMP. MATCH
Chapman University Chapman UniversityCalifornia 2631 72.52% SOLID MATCH
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-WorldwideFlorida 2528 57.67% PROBABLE
Salve Regina University Salve Regina UniversityRhode Island 2529 69.53% SOLID MATCH
State University of New York at New Paltz State University of New York at New PaltzNew York 2529 58.27% SOLID MATCH
Washington College Washington CollegeMaryland 2529 74.71% SOLID MATCH
University of Central Florida University of Central FloridaFlorida 2529 41.04% SOLID MATCH
Stetson University Stetson UniversityFlorida 2529 93.8% SOLID MATCH
Western Washington University Western Washington UniversityWashington 2530 92.69% SOLID MATCH
Hollins University Hollins UniversityVirginia 2530 72.4% SOLID MATCH
University of Mary Washington University of Mary WashingtonVirginia 2530 85.79% SOLID MATCH
University of Rhode Island University of Rhode IslandRhode Island 2530 76.39% SOLID MATCH

Your best choices will be the schools and colleges where the average ACT score of the admitted students is 27 to 31. 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 29 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 29 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 29 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 29 Score

How does a 29 ACT score compare to the SAT?

A 29 ACT is approximately equivalent to a 1390 SAT. It’s competitive for many mid-tier universities.

What scholarships are available for a 29 ACT score?

Many schools offer merit-based scholarships for scores in this range, especially when combined with a good GPA.

Can I get into Ivy League schools with a 29 ACT score?

Ivy League schools generally expect higher scores, but a 29 could still be competitive depending on other factors like GPA and extracurricular activities.

Should I retake the ACT to improve my score?

If your target schools are Ivy League or highly competitive, retaking the ACT could help. Otherwise, this score is solid for most universities.

What is the national average ACT score?

The national average ACT score is around 20–21, so a 29 is well above average.

Do test-optional colleges consider a 29 ACT score if submitted?

Yes, submitting a 29 will strengthen your application, even at test-optional schools.

What GPA is a 29 ACT?

A 29 typically corresponds to a GPA of around 3.3–3.6, showing that you have a solid academic foundation.

Can I get into NYU with a 29 ACT?

Yes, NYU admits students with ACT scores in this range. However, you should still aim for a strong GPA and other impressive aspects in your application.

Is 29 a good ACT score for Harvard?

Harvard typically admits students with scores closer to 34 or higher, but a 29 is still competitive when combined with exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements.

Can I get into MIT with a 29 ACT?

MIT’s average score is higher, usually 34 and above, but a 29 still places you within the competitive range for many prestigious schools.

Can I get into Princeton with a 29 ACT score?

Princeton expects higher scores, but a 29 is still solid for many other competitive schools, provided you have a strong overall application.

What if you improve your ACT score by 2 points (to 31)?

Improving to a 31 would make you more competitive for Ivy League and top-tier schools.

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