30 ACT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
Thirty on the ACT puts you in range for well-known publics like University of Florida and UT Austin, and it matches about 1,440 colleges nationwide. That's a strong score with real choices. Plenty of selective state universities treat a 30 as a comfortable fit, while a few bigger-name schools stay harder to get into.
How 30 ACT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 95th - higher than about 95% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 21 - you're above the typical score.
- SAT equivalent: ~1370 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,441 schools (290 target, 66 reach, 1,085 safety).
Is a 30 ACT Score Good?
Yes, a 30 ACT is a solid score, well above the national average of 21. You're looking at competitive state universities and many private colleges, not just easy backups.
Clemson and Georgia both take plenty of students around a 30, and University of Miami's middle 50% starts right at your number. UCLA and UNC Chapel Hill overlap your score too, but they remain reaches because they admit far fewer applicants.
Colleges still look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations, not just the test. A 30 keeps a lot of doors open. Those other pieces decide how far you go at the tougher schools.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 30 ACT
Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Penn State all enroll students right around a 30, and Georgia's middle 50% runs from 29 to 34. UCLA is still a reach even though 30 falls inside its range. The tables group schools into good-fit targets, tougher reaches, and likely backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
A 30 falls inside the middle 50% at University of Florida and Clemson. You have a good shot at schools like these when the rest of your application is solid.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Michigan's middle 50% starts at 31, so a 30 is just below the usual band. UCLA can overlap your score, but it is still a reach because so few students get in.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Your 30 is well above the middle 50% at Arizona State and Texas Tech. Odds look strong, and there are more than a thousand schools in this bucket.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 30 ACT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 30 ACT in popular states:
Local Options for a 30 ACT
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Should you retake the ACT if you have a 30?
A retake is optional with a 30. It mainly helps if you are aiming at highly selective schools where a 32 or 33 is more common. If you already like your mix of colleges, you can apply with this score.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May help at highly selective reaches | Takes time from grades and activities |
| Could lift you inside some tighter ranges | Another point or two is not guaranteed |
| Useful if test day did not go well | A 30 already fits many strong colleges |
Serious prep often raises an ACT score by about 1 or 2 points. Drill your weaker section, review every missed question, and take a couple of timed practice tests before you register again.
Apply with the 30 if your options already look good, or prep for one more date if you want those tougher reaches.
30 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 30 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| ACT Score | SAT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 27 | 1280 |
| 28 | 1310 |
| 29 | 1340 |
| 30 | 1370 |
| 31 | 1400 |
| 32 | 1430 |
| 33 | 1460 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 30 ACT places you in about the 95th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 95% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 30 ACT
- Compare nearby scores: 29 and 31
- Browse the equivalent 1370 SAT college list
Published: August 19, 2026