Pennsylvania Colleges for a 36 on the ACT

With a 36 ACT, you are competitive at 72 four-year colleges in Pennsylvania (5 target, 4 reach, 63 safety). Your score is roughly equivalent to a 1590 SAT.

Colleges in Pennsylvania for a 36 ACT

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have middle 50% ranges that include 36 - your score fits squarely in the admitted pool.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Villanova University Villanova, PA	32-34	33	27%	Medium
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA	30-33	31	29%	Medium
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA	31-34	32	26%	Medium
Franklin and Marshall College Lancaster, PA	30-33	31	28%	Medium
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA	29-33	31	29%	Medium

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average ACT scores; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA	34-36	35	5%	Low
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA	33-35	34	7%	Low
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA	34-35	34	12%	Low
Haverford College Haverford, PA	33-35	34	12%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average ACT scores well below 36; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	ACT Range	Avg ACT	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Penn State Main Campus University Park, PA	27-32	29	61%	High
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA	29-33	31	58%	High
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA	27-32	29	79%	High
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA	24-28	26	78%	High
Lafayette College Easton, PA	31-33	32	31%	High
University of Scranton Scranton, PA	25-30	27	81%	High
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA	26-32	29	84%	High
Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA	29-33	31	72%	High
Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA	29-32	30	39%	High
Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA	28-31	29	89%	High
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA	18-26	22	71%	High
Penn State Abington Abington, PA	23-27	25	97%	High

View all 63 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 36 ACT in Pennsylvania

See all colleges nationally for a 36 ACT

36 ACT to SAT Equivalent Conversion

Colleges use concordance tables to compare SAT and ACT scores. The following table shows the 36 ACT to SAT equivalent and nearby scores for context. These conversions are approximate.

ACT Score	SAT Equivalent
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.

Published: August 19, 2026