33 ACT Score: Popular Colleges You Can Get Into
That's a strong score, and it puts schools like Yale and Stanford on your radar. You have about 1,400 colleges in range with a 33 ACT, including roughly 150 solid matches. The famous names are still tougher to get into, even when your number is close to their middle 50%.
How 33 ACT Compares Nationally
- Percentile: 99th - higher than about 99% of recent test-takers.
- National average: Above 21 - you're above the typical score.
- SAT equivalent: ~1460 composite (College Board/ACT concordance).
- College options: Competitive at 1,459 schools (147 target, 53 reach, 1,259 safety).
Is a 33 ACT Score Good?
Yes, a 33 ACT is an excellent score and far above the national average of 21. It overlaps the middle 50% at UCLA (29-35), though UCLA is still a reach because so many students apply.
MIT and Penn usually report 34-36, so a 33 is a bit below their typical band and those schools stay reaches. Michigan is a clearer match, with a middle 50% of 31-34.
Admissions officers also look at your GPA, essays, activities, and recommendations. The test is only one piece, so a 33 helps most when those other parts are strong too.
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 33 ACT
Harvard, Caltech, and Johns Hopkins will be harder to get into with a 33, even though you are close to their middle 50%. Michigan is a more realistic match. UCLA still counts as a reach, even with a wider 29-35 band. The tables below group more schools by how competitive they are.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
Your 33 lands at the top of the middle 50% at the University of Florida (29-33) and UT Austin (27-33). Both are schools where you have a good shot.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Even a 33 leaves many top schools as reaches. At Harvard and Caltech the middle 50% starts at 34 or 35, and very few applicants get in.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
A 33 is well above the middle 50% at Arizona State (21-28) and Alabama (24-31), so your odds look strong. You have well over 1,000 colleges in this group.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 33 ACT
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
Browse colleges for a 33 ACT in popular states:
Local Options for a 33 ACT
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Should you retake the ACT if you have a 33?
Another ACT date is optional at 33 unless you are chasing the most selective schools. This score already works across a huge range of colleges. If Caltech, MIT, or similar 34-36 schools are your top choices, one focused retake can help.
| Pros of retaking | Cons of retaking |
|---|---|
| May lift you into the 34-36 range | Time away from grades and activities |
| Helps at the most selective science schools | Score jumps get smaller at this level |
Serious prep often adds about 1-2 composite points. Focus on your weakest section, take a few timed practice tests, and review every miss. That kind of bump matters most where 34 or 35 is the usual range.
Send the 33 if you like your current options, or prep for one more test if those ultra-selective reaches come first.
33 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion
Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 33 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.
| ACT Score | SAT Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 30 | 1370 |
| 31 | 1400 |
| 32 | 1430 |
| 33 | 1460 |
| 34 | 1500 |
| 35 | 1540 |
| 36 | 1590 |
Individual colleges may interpret scores slightly differently, so treat concordance as a guide rather than an exact rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 33 ACT places you in about the 99th percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than about 99% of recent test-takers.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 33 ACT
- Compare nearby scores: 32 and 34
- Browse the equivalent 1460 SAT college list
Published: August 19, 2026