30 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 30 ACT Score
The ACT is a standardized test for college admission scored on a scale of 1 to 36. Measuring proficiency in Math, English, Reading, and Science, the exam has 215 questions and is to be completed over 2 hours and 55 minutes. Some students choose to take the optional Writing portion, which adds 40 minutes.
The ACT is taken nationwide by roughly two million students every year resulting in an average score of 21.
Is a 30 ACT Score (93rd Percentile) Good?
A 30 ACT score makes you eligible to apply at the vast majority of colleges, makes you eligible for merit aid, and also makes you a competitive applicant at many institutions. Because of all this, a 30 ACT score is definitely considered good!
To help you understand your standing within all test takers, a score of 30 on the ACT puts you at the 93rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than 93% of all test takers. Make sure you compare your financial aid packages and get the merit aid you deserve!
What Colleges Can I Get Into with an ACT Score of 30?
An ACT score of 30 is competitive for admission at a large majority of colleges and universities. We’ve put together a sample list of these schools below. Be aware that no ACT guarantees acceptance by itself, but all of the following schools have established a precedent of admitting students with a score of 30.
Should I Retake the ACT with a 30 Score?
With a score of 30 on the ACT, there’s no pressing reason to retake the exam unless your ideal school is looking for a higher score.
As indicated above, most colleges consider an ACT score of 30 to be a strong fit for admission. Because so many schools find this sort of academic performance admirable, you’ll likely be admitted to a variety of institutions, which you can use to your advantage. Pay a visit to your high school’s resource center and get to know your counselor. They can offer suggestions about what to include on your list of 7 to 10 colleges, which should include safety, reach, and match institutions.
The primary focus can shift to making sure that the rest of your academic record measures up to your ACT score. Keep putting effort in all classes to ensure that your GPA is as high as it can be since most colleges weigh GPA and ACT scores roughly equal during the admissions process.
If you want to retake the ACT and see if you can improve your score by a few points, junior year is a good time to plan that out. There may be a few merit aid perks to adding a few more points to the score, but the primary reason for retaking it would be to become more competitive for admissions at more selective institutions. Sign up for a test date and immediately analyze your current score. The ACT results come with a breakdown section so you can see which area was more difficult than others, enabling you to plan out where your study efforts should go.
If you’re a senior, it’s time to concentrate on your entire application as a total package. Retaking the ACT might be very difficult at this point, especially if deadlines for the colleges and universities you’re interested in have deadlines between October and December. Use your time instead to craft a strong personal essay and have your college counselor read through it to offer suggestions for improvement. Finally, avoid the temptation of senioritis and finish your high school career on a high note because every college values a consistent record of academic excellence.
30 ACT to SAT Equivalent
A 30 ACT score is equivalent to a 1390 to 1410 on the SAT. While what you earn on one test may not directly translate to what you’d earn on the other, this is a good way to understand how the scores line up.
The ACT and SAT have some key differences in aspects like time management and tools used, even in content. If you feel like your score should be higher than the one you’re getting, it wouldn’t hurt to take a practice SAT and see your predicted score. Since a 30 ACT is already so high, though, it may be better to focus your attention on the rest of your college application!
Scholarships for a 30 ACT Score
A 30 ACT score will earn you merit aid both from your potential future institution and from third-party scholarship providers. On top of applying for merit aid, you should also apply for plenty of scholarships based on your location, life circumstances, extracurriculars, passions, future major, and more! Be sure to check out our extensive scholarship database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 30 a good ACT score?
A 30 ACT score makes you eligible and competitive at many institutions, even some selective ones. It also makes you eligible for merit aid. All of those things considered, a 30 ACT score is a good one!
What colleges can I get into with a 30 ACT score?
You can apply at many colleges and universities as a competitive applicant, including at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ohio State University-Main Campus, and Clemson University.
What percentile is a 30 ACT score?
A 30 ACT score puts you at the 93rd percentile, meaning you scored higher than 93% of all test takers! Congratulations!
What is the SAT equivalent of a 30 ACT score?
A 30 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1390 to 1410 on the SAT.
What scholarships can you get with a 30 ACT score?
A 30 ACT score will earn you a good amount of merit aid, both from your potential college or university, as well as from third-party scholarship providers! Apply for as many applicable scholarships as possible, including ones for life circumstances, passions, extracurriculars, location, and more using our extensive scholarship database.
