The average score is roughly a 17, significantly lower than average composite scores. Very few students get a perfect ACT score, even those who get into the country's top colleges. In fact, anyone scoring a 34, 35 or 36 is among the top 1% of test-takers in the country. The tables below shows the middle 50% range of ACT scores for different schools.
https://www.thoughtco.com/are-your-act-scores-good-enough-788836
What’s a bad ACT score? Have no fear! When setting your ACT score goal, it’s always a good idea to look at the score averages for the schools to which you’re applying. There are helpful college profiles that include information about average scores, total enrollment, tuition, and financial aid.
https://www.kaptest.com/study/act/whats-good-act-score/
ACT Scores. ACT scores of Minnesota high school test takers. In Minnesota, the most commonly taken standardized college entrance exam is the ACT. For the first time during the 2014-2015 school year, Minnesota provided the ACT to all Minnesota juniors at no cost to families.
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/fc/792/pg.cfm
There is also an optional essay section. The scores from each section can range from 200 to 800, so the best possible total score without the essay is 1600. The average score for each section is roughly 500, so the average total score is about 1000. Note that the exam changed significantly in March of 2016 (Learn about the new SAT).
https://www.thoughtco.com/are-your-sat-scores-good-enough-788673
The ACT test is based out of 36 points, with scores ranging from 1 to 36. The average ACT score of all 1.4 million test takers nationwide remains consistent from year to year, and was just above 21.1 in 2012. Almost 30% of ACT takers score between a 19 and 23. 55% of all ACT takers score between 17 and 25.
http://www.testcrew.org/
The average ACT score in each state fluctuates. The states with the highest average ACT test scores were Massachusetts (23.6), Connecticut (23.3), New York (23.1), and Washington (23.1). My alma mater, the University of South Carolina has an average ACT score of 25.
http://www.testcrew.org/
Minnesota student's average composite score of 21.1 (on a scale of 1 to 36) was higher than the national score of 20.8. Minnesota was first among the 18 states that provided the ACT to all students. Minnesota Condition of College & Career Readiness Report.
http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/fc/792/pg.cfm
Shoot for a minimum of 8 on the essay. This will be enough to not raise any eyebrows amongst college admissions officers. For extremely competitive schools, aim for a score of 10+. On the other hand, the mean, or average, score on the ACT Writing section before September 2016 is about 17 out of 36. In this case, a good ACT writing score would ideally be an 18 or above. A 30 or above would put you in the 98th percentile, which is great!
https://magoosh.com/hs/act/about-the-act/2016/what-is-a-good-act-writing-score/
Those four scores are then averaged to generate the composite score used by most colleges. The average composite score is roughly a 21. That is, about 50% of test-takers score below a 21. For students who took the ACT with writing, the writing section is also scored on a 36-point scale.
https://www.thoughtco.com/are-your-act-scores-good-enough-788836
A mother recently asked me what constitutes a good SAT scores. I told her that it depends on the caliber of the school. At some colleges a 1600 out of a 2400 score is above average while at other schools, applicants with that kind of score wouldn’t even be seriously considered. At some of the nation’s most prestigious schools, a 2100 could be borderline. It’s always wise to look at the test score ranges at individual schools.
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/comparing-your-teenagers-sat-scores/
what is considered an average act score
The Average American College Testing test scores in Massachusetts is 23.6, Connecticut is 23.3, New York is 23.1, and Washington is 23.1. The Average ACT test scores were Massachusetts , Connecticut , New York , and Washington. My alma mater, the University of South Carolina has an average ACT score of 25.