Colleges for a 36 on the ACT

What colleges accept a 36 ACT score?

These colleges are a good match for you

If you've achieved a score of 36 on your ACTs, this places you squarely within the average range for accepted students at 192 U.S. colleges. This list features popular colleges where your application will likely be competitive, given their historical acceptance of students with a 36 ACT score. However, it's crucial to remember that a good ACT score is not the sole criterion for admission. In fact, may colleges are now test optional. It's equally significant to maintain a Grade Point Average (GPA) that aligns with the college's expectations for incoming students. The creation of this list is rooted in a comprehensive analysis of ACT scores from students admitted to all U.S. colleges

Is a 36 ACT good?

Can't be beat. You have a shot at getting in anywhere with a score of 36. It situates you in the top 99th percentile on the national scale, outperforming the majority of the 2 million ACT test takers. This score signifies your truly exceptional performance in answering questions in the English, Math, Reading and Science sections of the exam. The ACT is scored out of a maximum of 36 and a minimum of 1, meaning your 36 score represents 100% of the total possible points. If a 36 does not meet the requirements of your preferred college, you might want to consider enrolling in a test prep course to potentially enhance your score.

Demographic comparisons for a 36

Let's examine how a 36 ACT score stacks up to the national averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 36 is 15.7 points (77%) higher than the average male ACT score of 20.3
  • Female: A 36 is 15.4 points (75%) higher than the average female ACT score of 20.6

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 36 is 14.3 points (66%) higher than the average white ACT score of 21.7
  • Black: A 36 is 19.7 points (121%) higher than the average black ACT score of 16.3
  • Hispanic: A 36 is 17.7 points (97%) higher than the average Hispanic ACT score of 18.3
  • Asian: A 36 is 11.1 points (45%) higher than the average Asian ACT score of 24.9
  • Pacific Islander: A 36 is 18.8 points (109%) higher than the average Pacific Islander ACT score of 17.2
  • American Indian/Alaska Native: A 36 is 19.1 points (113%) higher than the average American Indian/Alaska Native ACT score of 16.9
  • Two or more races: A 36 is 15.4 points (75%) higher than the average two or more races ACT score of 20.6

All groups

  • All Students: A 36 is 15.7 points higher than the average ACT score for all students of 20.3

What is the SAT equivalent to a 36 ACT score?

A 36 on the ACT translates to a 1590 on the SAT according to the concordance provided by the College Board and ACT. It's important to note that not all colleges disclose admission data for both the SAT and ACT. As such, we recommend checking our listings for each test to identify schools with similar academic profiles.

What percentile is a 36 ACT score?

Scoring a 36 on the ACT places you in the 99th percentile nationwide. This implies that your performance surpassed 99% of all test takers. To put this in perspective, about 2 million students sit for the ACT each year. Thus, with your score, you've outperformed about 1,980,000 students placing you ahead of the majority.

View Colleges

Change ACT Score

Explore colleges for other ACT scores

-1 +1

192 results nationwide

List of 36 ACT Colleges

Displaying 192 colleges where your 36 ACT score is within the typical range of past accepted students. You have a chance at being accepted but admission may be challenging at more selective colleges. Hint: Filter by admission chance for 171 target schools (good chance), 147 reach (harder) schools and 4,545 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Bucknell University
B
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

31 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#9 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,787enrollment
  • $39,965net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.62Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jan 15

Southern Methodist University
S
Dallas, TX

Southern Methodist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

32 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Texas

  • 12,053enrollment
  • $45,094net price
  • 52%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.68Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Jan 15

Tulane University
T
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

32 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

 

  • 14,027enrollment
  • $50,263net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1510SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.64Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Jan 15

Tufts University
T
Medford, MA

Tufts University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

34 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 13,431enrollment
  • $30,479net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance29%

Applications Due Jan 1

Davidson College
D
Davidson, NC

Davidson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

32 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in North Carolina

  • 1,927enrollment
  • $26,704net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.81Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Jan 7

University of Connecticut
C
Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

30 Average ACT Score

 

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,003enrollment
  • $23,985net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1440SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
  • 3.74Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jan 15

Rhode Island School of Design
R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

31 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,620enrollment
  • $39,800net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1525SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.71Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Feb 1

California Institute of Technology
C
Pasadena, CA

California Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

35 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,401enrollment
  • $20,755net price
  • 3%acceptance rate
  • 1530-1580SAT range
  • 35-36ACT range
  • 3.97Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance10%

Applications Due Jan 3

Emerson College
E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

31 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,891enrollment
  • $51,432net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Feb 20

University of Denver
D
Denver, CO

University of Denver

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

30 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#2 Best Colleges in Colorado

  • 13,734enrollment
  • $42,423net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1400SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • 3.72Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance96%

Applications Due Jan 15

Colgate University
C
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

33 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in New York

  • 3,141enrollment
  • $27,074net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.77Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance48%

Applications Due Jan 15

Lehigh University
L
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

31 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 7,394enrollment
  • $30,453net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.81Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Jan 1

Pomona College
P
Claremont, CA

Pomona College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

34 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#21 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,716enrollment
  • $19,962net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.89Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance21%

Applications Due Jan 8

University of Rochester
R
Rochester, NY

University of Rochester

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

32 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 12,197enrollment
  • $39,775net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.75Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Jan 5

Washington University in St Louis
W
Saint Louis, MO

Washington University in St Louis

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

34 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#20 Best Colleges in America

  • 17,012enrollment
  • $23,432net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.92Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Jan 4

Barnard College
B
New York, NY

Barnard College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

33 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#5 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 3,442enrollment
  • $26,009net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.85Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Jan 4

American University
A
Washington, DC

American University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

30 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#3 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 13,885enrollment
  • $41,369net price
  • 41%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1430SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.7Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jan 15

Vassar College
V
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

33 Average ACT Score

Test Optional

#7 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,459enrollment
  • $30,603net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1535SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA
Your 36 ACT
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Jan 1

FAQs

Is a 36 a good ACT score?

Can't be beat. You have a shot at getting in anywhere with a score of 36. The score puts you in the top 99th percentile of those who take the test. Explore colleges you can get into with a 36 ACT score.

What colleges can I get into with a 36 ACT score?

Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Florida are some of the best colleges that you have a competitive chance of getting into. Explore the full list: Colleges for a 36 ACT score.

What percentile is 36 on the ACT?

A 36 ranks in the top 99th percentile of all students who take the ACT exam.

What is the equivalent SAT score to a 36 ACT?

A 36 converts to a 1590 on the SAT using College Board / ACT concordance tables. Explore the colleges: Colleges for a 1590 SAT score.