<span>34 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 34 ACT Score</span>

34 ACT Colleges: Best Schools That Accept a 34 ACT Score

The ACT is a comprehensive standardized test that many colleges and universities consult as part of their application process. Composed of four sections, Math, Science, Reading, and English, the ACT features 215 questions designed to be answered in 2 hours and 55 minutes. There’s also an optional Writing portion to the exam that is scored separately and differently. 

Of the roughly 2 million students who take the ACT every year, the average score hovers around 21. 

 

Is a 34 ACT Score (# Percentile) Good?

With a 34, you can apply to every college and university in the country and be competitive for admission to all of them, including selective schools. Because one of the purposes of the ACT is to generate a wide variety of colleges to choose from, a score of 34 can be judged a complete success.

To fully appreciate what that means, let’s talk percentiles. A 34 ACT score puts you at the 99% percentile, meaning that you scored higher than 99% of all test takers! That’s impressive! 

 

What Colleges Can I Get Into with an ACT Score of 34?

An ACT score of 34 enables you to apply to every college and university throughout the country. We’ve assembled a representative list of those schools below. While no standardized test score automatically leads to admission, all of these schools have established a history of accepting students who earn a 34.

 

Should I Retake the ACT with a 34 Score?

There’s no need to retake the ACT with a score of 34. A 34 makes you eligible and competitive for all colleges and universities, which is the goal! 

For juniors, remember that most colleges weigh ACT scores and GPA about equally. So now is the time to focus on every class to ensure that your GPA is as impressive as your score of 34. As mentioned previously, a score of 34 leads to a huge number of college options and the sheer size of the list can feel intimidating. Pay a visit to your school’s college resource center and ask the college counselor for assistance. After getting to know you better, they’ll be able to recommend a list of schools for further research.

Even if you’re applying to the Ivy League institutions, there isn’t an incredible need to retake the ACT. An ACT score of 34 lands you solidly in their average acceptance area. For an above average score, a 35 would increase competitiveness, but it’s not an easy score to obtain. Analyze the breakdown of your current score and see if there’s a specific area for improvement.

If you’re a senior, the best place to focus your efforts on is making sure the rest of your application is up to the standard you’ve set with an ACT score of 34. Review your college list, which should include safety, reach, and match schools. Take the time to compose a thoughtful and persuasive personal essay and have your college counselor critique it. If any teachers had an impact on your high school years, contact them and ask for a letter of recommendation.

 

34 ACT to SAT Equivalent

A 34 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1520 to 1550 on the SAT.  There are some differences to these two standardized tests, so what you earn on one test may not be what you earn on the other, but this is a good way to understand how your score compares. 

 

Scholarships for a 34 ACT Score

With a score of 34 on the ACT, you’re eligible for merit aid from both your future college or university and from third-party scholarship providers. On top of applying for merit aid, make sure you apply to scholarships for other things, too, including location, life circumstances, future major, passions, and more. Use our scholarships database to find the right scholarships for you! 

 

View all scholarships

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 34 a good ACT score?

A 34 ACT score makes you eligible for acceptance at every college and university, competitive at even selective institutions, and qualified for merit aid. All of that taken into consideration, a 34 ACT is a very good score. 

 

What colleges can I get into with a 34 ACT score?

You’re eligible to apply to every college, including very selective ones. Among your Target institutions, you can consider the University of Chicago, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Cornell University.   

 

What percentile is a 34 ACT score?

A 34 ACT puts you at the 99th percentile, meaning you scored higher than 99% of all test takers. 

 

What is the SAT equivalent of a 34 ACT score?

A 34 ACT score is equivalent to earning a 1520 to 1550 on the SAT

 

What scholarships can you get with a 34 ACT score?

A 34 ACT score makes you qualified for merit aid from your potential future institution and third-party scholarship providers. Apply for merit scholarships as well as ones for your extracurriculars, future major, life circumstances and more! 

 

View all scholarships

 

Advanced Search

SUNY at Purchase College is a 4-year public school in the New York City metro area and part of the State University of New York system. SUNY Purchase is home to schools of The Arts, Liberal Arts & Humanities, and Liberal Studies granting bachelor’s...

“…

This is a great college for anyone studying any of the Visual Arts. There are endless resources available.

” – Kara from Purchase, NY

The United States Merchant Marine Academy is a service academy based in the suburban town of Kings Point, New York. All students enter the school as “plebe candidates” and must complete an intense regimen of physical training, customs, drills, and...

“…

Is a very rigorous school that will prepare students for their role in the military or maritime service. There is no other school like this, with regards to traditions and experiences. Even though your time here will be rough and studious it is...

” – Neil from Kings Point, NY

Sewanee, The University of the South, is a 4-year liberal arts college in south central Tennessee. Operated by the dioceses of the Episcopal Church, Sewanee offers bachelor’s degrees in 36 academic majors. In addition, Swanee holds a partnership with...

“…

The classes here challenge me greatly. In high school I got A's with little to no studying, especially my freshman and sophomore years. This is only my first semester here and I only have one A the last time I checked (everything else is a B...

” – Alisha from Knoxville, TN

St. John’s College is the third oldest college in the United States and famous for the distinctive Great Books curriculum. Students read over 200 of the greatest books ever written, discuss them in classes of 20 students or fewer, and, instead of...

“…

I'm ALWAYS learning... both the curriculum and the lifestyle of this campus are stimulating and dynamic. There is usually some sort of event going on; there are tons of options with intramurals, and there's a huge array of individuals. Classes always...

” – Isabel from Converse, TX

College placeholder image

Thomas Aquinas College is a bicoastal Roman Catholic liberal arts college with campuses in California and Massachusetts. The Thomas Aquinas curriculum centers around a single academic program studying the great books of western civilization. All...

“…

I admit that this school does wonders with the mind. Thomas Aquinas delves into critical thinking and reading between the text. Although this style of learning works for many people who are vocal, the school also fails to present the application of...

” – ALEXANDRIA from ladera ranch, CA

College placeholder image

Webb Institute is a private, 4-year institution established in Glen Cove, New York. Academics at Webb Institute are engineering-based, and students at the college learn in the fields of both Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Students are...

Founded in 1864, St Louis College of Pharmacy is a private institution established in the Washington University Medical Center biomedical complex. The college offers Bachelor of Science degrees, Bachelor of Arts degrees, and Doctor of Pharmacy...

“…

As a 1st year, a lot of what is being covered right now is review. However, since pharmacy is the only major, everything taught here has a pharmacy spin on it. This helps me realize that I am actually at school to become a pharmacist. I feel like we...

” – Alexis from Murrieta, CA

With a campus overlooking Seneca Lake, Hobart & William Smith Colleges are liberal arts colleges in the Finger Lakes region of New York State that operate in a coordinate college system. Originally founded as separate colleges for women and men...

“…

I am currently taking a wide variety of classes, being a current first year. HWS has 8 required goals that must be completed for graduation. These goals help to broaden your horizon, while meeting your Major/Minor requirements. This school has...

” – Abigail M. W.

St. John’s College is the third oldest college in the United States and famous for the distinctive Great Books curriculum. Students read over 200 of the greatest books ever written, discuss them in classes of 20 students or fewer, and, instead of...

“…

At St. John's the program is fixed but the tutors add a specific flavor to each class. In your freshman year you take a course learning about languages which accompanies the learning of Ancient Greek. You also study Euclid's elements and Ptolemy's...

” – Naga from Knoxville, TN

College placeholder image

The University of Florida Online is an internet-only campus of the UF system. UF Online provides the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree in 19 fields of study and all degrees are the same as those earned on any UF campus. As part of the Florida...

College placeholder image

Affiliated with the Jewish Theological Seminary, List College is a Conservative Jewish college in New York City. All List College students enroll in a Jewish Studies curriculum and choose from eleven Jewish theological majors such as Talmud &...

“…

List College of The Jewish Theological Seminary is a dynamic, Jewish learning environment. With its dual-degree program with Columbia University's School of General Studies or its Double Degree Program with Barnard College, List College provides a...

” – Nicole from Golden Beach, FL

College placeholder image

New Saint Andrews College is a Christian liberal arts college with a Reformed perspective in western Idaho. New Saint Andrews offers a single bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and Culture and every course is founded in a Christian worldview and...

“…

your very soul will be stretched and molded and right before it breaks it transforms something gloriously beautiful. you learn how to find joy and peace in the midst of intense trials. you truly understand what it is to live harmoniously with those...

” – Elisabeth from Elmwood, WI

Before success, comes a willingness to learn.



For generations, enterprising students have come to Bocconi to become something greater. We offer undergraduate, graduate, PhD and executive programs to future leaders and entrepreneurs who want a strong...

Founded in 1885, Bryn Mawr College is a women’s liberal arts institution in the greater Philadelphia area and part of the Seven Sisters. Bryn Mawr offers undergraduate degrees in 37 majors and was the first women’s college to confer a PhD...

“…

The campus is absolutely beautiful. The academics are rigorous.

” – Mary from plano, TX

Franklin University Switzerland is a small, international university located in the southern Swiss city of Lugano. Founded in 1969, Franklin was among the first institutions to bring American Liberal Arts education to Europe, and it is the only...

Patrick Henry College is a Christian institution located in Purcellville, VA. The 119 acre campus is located an hour west of Washington D.C., just east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. PHC’s mission is to prepare Christian men and women who will lead our...