Is a 19 on the ACT a good score?

A 19 on the ACT falls below the national average score of 20.6, placing you in approximately the 37th percentile of test takers. While this score may limit your options for highly selective colleges, you can still pursue higher education through multiple pathways, particularly at state universities and community colleges.

For state universities, admission requirements vary significantly. Many regional public universities accept students with ACT scores between 17-21, making a 19 potentially workable for admission. You'll want to focus on schools where your score falls within or close to their middle 50% range of accepted students. Community colleges typically don't require minimum ACT scores for admission, making them an excellent starting point for your college journey.

The community college transfer pathway you're considering is particularly strategic. Starting at a community college allows you to build a strong academic foundation and transfer record, which many four-year institutions weigh more heavily than ACT scores when considering transfer students. After completing your associate degree with good grades, your ACT score becomes much less relevant for transfer admission.

Your ACT score is just one component of your college application. Admissions officers also evaluate your high school GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. Strong performance in these areas can help offset a lower ACT score. Consider whether retaking the ACT might be worthwhile, especially if you didn't prepare extensively for your first attempt. With focused study and familiarity with the test format, many students improve their scores significantly on subsequent attempts.