31 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 31 ACT Score
The ACT is a prominent, nationwide entrance exam used by colleges and universities during the admissions process. The exam test students in four areas of study: Reading, English, Mathematics, and Science. Scored on a scale from 1 to 36, the average nationwide score is 20.8 among all 2 million test takers.
Made up of 215 questions, the exam takes 2 hours and 55 minutes. Students can also choose to take an optional Writing portion, which tests students ability to generate productive ideas, offer rationale, and organize their arguments.
Is a 31 ACT Score (95th Percentile) Good?
Based on the number of higher education options and competitiveness of the score, a 31 is considered “good.” You’re eligible to apply to a vast majority of schools as a competitive candidate, as well as earn a significant amount of merit aid.
Looking at this from another angle, a score of 31 on the ACT puts you at the 95th percentile — that means you scored higher than 95% of all test takers. Additionally, a 31 is within the range of scores that elite and extremely selective colleges accept on average. Congratulations!
What Colleges Can I Get Into with an ACT Score of 31?
With a 31, your ACT score is competitive for just about every college. We’ve assembled a representative sample of these schools below. As discussed above, an ACT score is only one part of your application but all of these schools have a demonstrated history of admitting students who earn a 31.
Should I Retake the ACT with a 31 Score?
With a 31 ACT score, there’s really no need to retake the ACT unless your ideal school wants a higher score. Otherwise, you’re well set up to go to an excellent college with merit aid.
The primary reason for retaking the ACT at this level would be to become more competitive for Ivy League institutions, which most commonly accept an average score between 32-35. If you’re in your senior year, it becomes much more difficult to retake with enough time to get scores for college applications.
Turn your focus to your GPA and make sure it’s as competitive as your standardized test score. Pay a visit to your school’s college resource center and schedule a session with a counselor. Once they get to know what you’re looking for, they’ll be able to offer suggestions about which schools would be the best match. This is also a good time to attend information sessions with visiting admissions officers so you can get to know colleges and universities better, get your name on their radar, and figure out if they’re what you’re looking for.
Depending on your situation, it may be more beneficial to focus your energy on creating a solid college application, with a compelling essay, positive recommendation letters, and a comprehensive list of extracurricular activities. A well-rounded student is a desirable one!
31 ACT to SAT Equivalent
A 31 SAT score is equivalent to earning a 1420 to 1440 on the SAT. While these tests have their differences, this is a good way to understand how they compare.
The SAT and ACT have a few key differences, including in time management, tools used, and even content, meaning that what you earn on one test may vary from what you earn on the other. If you feel like you should be earning a higher score, it may be worthwhile to take a practice SAT and see what your estimated score would be.
Scholarships for a 31 ACT Score
A 31 SAT score makes you eligible to earn a sizable amount of merit aid, both from your potential college or university and from third-party scholarships providers. On top of applying for merit scholarships, you should also spend time applying to scholarships for your location, future major, life circumstances, extracurriculars, passions, and more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 31 a good ACT score?
A 31 ACT score makes you eligible to apply to the vast majority of schools as a competitive applicant, as well as makes you eligible for merit aid. All of that considered, a 31 is definitely a good ACT score.
What colleges can I get into with a 31 ACT score?
Among many others, you can apply as a competitive applicant to institutions including the University of Florida, Boston University, and the University of Miami.
What percentile is a 31 ACT score?
A 31 ACT score puts you at the 95% percentile, meaning you scored higher than 95% of all test takers.
What is the SAT equivalent of a 31 ACT score?
A 31 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1420 to 1440 on the SAT.
What scholarships can you get with a 31 ACT score?
A 31 ACT score will earn you plenty of merit-based scholarship and aid. You should also apply for other scholarships based on your location, passions, life circumstances, and more!
