How Good is a 33 on the ACT?

Scoring a 33 on the ACT is a significant achievement—but how good is it in the big picture? In admissions, the value of a score depends on context. A 33 is undeniably high, but what does it mean for your percentile ranking, college options, scholarships, and whether you should retake the exam?

This guide breaks down the implications of a 33 ACT score. You'll see how rare it is nationally, how it compares with averages overall and at selective colleges, where a 33 makes you competitive, what it means for top-tier schools, how it plays into merit aid, and when a retake might make sense.

33 ACT Score: National Percentile and Rarity

A composite score of 33 places you near the top of all test-takers nationwide, roughly in the 98th percentile. That means you scored higher than about 98% of students who sit for the ACT each year.

Scores in the 30s are the highest echelon of ACT performance. Even a 30 hovers in the mid-90s percentiles, so a 33 pushes you into a very small, elite group. Out of the millions of test administrations annually, only a relatively small share of students reaches 33 or higher.

How a 33 ACT Stacks Up to Average Scores

The national average ACT score typically falls around 20–21. That's the middle of the pack.

Compared with that benchmark, a 33 is dramatically higher—roughly a dozen points above the national mean. Many counselors view a 24 as comfortably above average; a 33 isn't just above average, it's in a different tier altogether.

Even among college-bound high scorers, a 33 stands out. Moving from a 30 to a 33 spans several percentile points at the very top, where each additional point becomes harder to earn and correspondingly rarer.

A 33 ACT in the College Admissions Context

Admissions is relative. A score that's outstanding at one school might be closer to typical at a more selective one. Here's how a 33 compares across tiers.

Less selective or many public universities. At institutions where middle 50% ACT ranges sit in the low- to mid-20s, a 33 is exceptional. You'll be well above the 75th percentile of admitted students, often standing out for honors programs and special opportunities.

Selective colleges (roughly top ~50). Many well-known universities and liberal arts colleges report middle 50% ranges in the high 20s to low 30s. At these schools, a 33 is usually at or above the 75th percentile. You'll be considered a strong academic applicant and competitive for admission.

Highly selective colleges (top 20 and Ivies). The most competitive institutions typically post middle 50% ACT ranges around 33–35+. A 33 is within range, but toward the lower end. It clears the academic bar, yet many admitted students will have 34–36. In these pools, other parts of your application—GPA, rigor, essays, extracurriculars, recommendations—carry heavy weight.

The takeaway: a 33 is outstanding almost anywhere, on par or above average at upper-tier schools, and strong but toward the lower bound at the most selective campuses.

Colleges Where a 33 ACT Makes You Competitive

Because context matters, it helps to think in terms of reach, match, and safety categories. Exact ranges vary year to year, but the patterns below hold.

Reach schools. Ultra-selective universities—Ivies and peers—often enroll classes with typical ACTs of 34–35. With a 33, you're in range but below many admits' scores. These schools are reaches for nearly everyone due to low admit rates and holistic review.

Match (target) schools. Many excellent universities and liberal arts colleges outside the ultra-elite tier list middle 50% ranges in the high 20s to low 30s. Here, a 33 commonly lands you near or above the 75th percentile. Think strong private universities, competitive state flagships, and top-25–50 programs. With a 33, you're a realistic, competitive candidate.

Safety schools. Where typical ranges sit in the low- to high-20s, a 33 is far above the norm. You're likely to be admitted, may qualify for honors programs, and often land in the top slice of the incoming class. Many well-regarded public universities and less selective privates fall here.

When building a list, include a few reaches, several matches, and at least one or two safeties you'd be happy to attend. With a 33, you can consider a wide spectrum of institutions.

Is a 33 ACT High Enough for Top-Tier Schools?

A 33 is generally within the stated ranges at top-tier schools, often around the lower end of their middle 50%. That means students with 33s are admitted every year, and your score will be viewed as academically qualified.

However, "high enough" doesn't equate to "likely." At the elite level, many applicants present 34–36 scores, near-perfect transcripts, rigorous coursework, and standout activities. A 33 keeps you in contention, but it usually won't differentiate you by itself.

Would nudging to a 34–35 help? It can, particularly if you're targeting the most selective campuses where medians cluster at 34–35. Still, the difference between a 33 and a 34 is modest compared with the impact of grades, rigor, essays, recommendations, and distinctive accomplishments. If your profile is strong across the board, a 33 can absolutely support a credible application to top-tier schools.

Scholarships and Merit Aid Implications of a 33

A high ACT can pay dividends in merit aid, especially at public universities and mid-tier private colleges that use test scores in awarding scholarships.

Students with scores in the 30s often qualify for substantial merit packages tied to GPA and test thresholds. With a 33, you'll frequently meet the top tier for automatic or competitive awards, which can range from several thousand dollars per year to significant tuition reductions. Honors colleges and flagship scholarships frequently look for 30+ scores, with 33s landing in strong contention.

At the most selective private universities, pure merit scholarships are far less common, and aid is often primarily need-based. But at many other institutions, a 33 can noticeably increase scholarship eligibility, and in some cases open doors to full or near-full tuition opportunities. Always check each college's latest scholarship criteria and submission deadlines.

Should You Retake the ACT if You Scored a 33?

Whether to retake comes down to goals, bandwidth, and realistic potential for improvement.

Reasons to consider a retake. If you're aiming at ultra-selective schools with medians at 34–35 and believe you can add 1–3 points through targeted prep, a retake could be worthwhile. It's also sensible if one section lagged well behind the others and you can address a specific weakness that's suppressing your composite.

Reasons not to retake. A 33 already clears the academic bar at most institutions, and at many it places you near the top of the pool. Time invested in chasing a single point might be better spent strengthening essays, pursuing leadership, refining your activities list, or boosting senior-year grades. The return on investment diminishes once you're in the low-to-mid 30s, especially if your college list includes schools where a 33 is comfortably within range.

Bottom line on retesting. If you have a targeted reason and a credible plan to improve, a retake can make sense. Otherwise, submit the 33 with confidence and focus on the elements of your application that can move the needle more than a one-point gain.