Is 28 on the ACT Good? What Your Score Means in 2026

A 28 composite score on the ACT is a good score. It places you around the 88th to 91st percentile nationally, meaning you scored higher than roughly nine out of ten test-takers, and it sits clearly above the national average composite of about 19–20. So when someone asks “is 28 on the ACT good,” the honest answer is yes—it’s a strong, competitive score that opens doors at many colleges and puts you in range for meaningful merit aid, even if it falls just short of the most elite schools.

What 28 Means Nationally

The ACT composite scale runs from 1 to 36, and it’s the average of your four section scores: English, Math, Reading, and Science. A 28 sits well into the top quarter of all test-takers.

For context, the national average composite hovers around 19–20, according to ACT. A 28 is roughly eight to nine points above that average—a substantial gap. Percentile-wise, a 28 lands in the 88th–91st percentile range.

What does “percentile” mean? It tells you what share of test-takers you outscored. At the 90th percentile, you performed better than 90% of students who took the same test.

Here’s a quick comparison to make the number concrete:

So a 28 isn’t just “above average”—it’s a score that signals real academic readiness for college-level work.

28 vs. College Benchmarks

Whether a 28 is “good enough” depends entirely on where you’re applying. Different tiers of schools post very different middle-50% ACT ranges (the range covering the middle half of admitted students).

At the most selective institutions—think Ivy League and similar—the middle 50% of admitted students often score in the mid-30s. A 28 would put you below the typical admitted range at these schools, though holistic review means it isn’t automatically disqualifying.

Many well-regarded state flagships and selective private colleges admit students with middle-50% ranges that include a 28. There, you’re a competitive applicant.

At less selective four-year colleges, a 28 often sits at or above the top of the middle 50%, which strengthens your application and can boost your odds of admission and aid.

The takeaway: a 28 is competitive at a wide range of solid schools but likely below range at the most elite ones. If a specific school is your goal, look up its published ACT range rather than guessing.

Impact on Scholarships

A 28 can meaningfully affect merit aid, though the impact varies a lot by school and state.

Many colleges offer automatic, formula-based scholarships tied to GPA and test scores. At some schools, a 28 with a strong GPA can trigger an award; at others, the automatic threshold starts higher.

State merit programs add another layer. Several states fund scholarships based on test scores or class rank, and the cutoffs differ widely. A 28 may qualify in one state and fall short in another.

Here’s a rough way to think about it:

• Automatic awards: Research each target school’s published grid. A 28 may hit some thresholds but miss others.
• Competitive awards: A higher score can improve your standing, especially for larger scholarships.
• Institutional priorities: Schools sometimes weight GPA more heavily than test scores, so a 28 paired with a top GPA can still be very competitive.

For students chasing specific dollar amounts, moving from a 28 to a 31 or 32 can sometimes unlock a higher automatic tier—sometimes worth thousands per year. That math is often what makes a retake worthwhile.

Should You Retake the ACT?

Retaking is a personal decision, but a few factors make it clearer.

Reasons to retake:

• You’re targeting highly selective schools where the middle 50% is above 30.
• A higher score unlocks a specific scholarship tier worth real money.
• Your section scores are uneven. Superscoring—where many colleges combine your best individual section scores across multiple test dates—means a strong retake in one area can lift your composite. Note that not every school superscores, so confirm each college’s policy.
• You have time before deadlines.

Reasons to stop here:

• Your target schools list a middle 50% that includes 28. You’re already competitive.
• Retaking would pull time from essays, applications, or coursework.
• You’ve already tested two or three times with similar results. Diminishing returns are real.

If you do retake, focus prep on your weakest section, since superscoring rewards targeted improvement. Check registration deadlines through ACT and confirm whether your colleges accept superscores via College Board resources or the schools themselves.

One practical example: a student with a 28 (English 32, Math 24, Reading 30, Science 26) who raises Math to 30 on a retake could superscore to a 30 composite—potentially crossing a scholarship threshold. That single-section gain can be worth the effort.

How Colleges Actually Read a 28

A composite score is a headline, but admissions officers often look at the section breakdown underneath it. A 28 made of four balanced scores tells a different story than a 28 built from a 35 in English and a 22 in Math.

Consider two applicants:

• Applicant A: English 28, Math 28, Reading 28, Science 28
• Applicant B: English 34, Math 22, Reading 33, Science 23

Both present a 28 composite. For a humanities-heavy major, Applicant B’s profile may read as a stronger fit. For an engineering program, Applicant B’s math and science scores raise questions that the composite hides. This is why “good” depends partly on what you plan to study.

Some institutions also use major-specific benchmarks. A competitive nursing or engineering program may expect a Math and Science section score at or above a certain level even when the overall composite is acceptable. If your intended major is quantitative, check whether your Math and Science subscores align with departmental expectations, not just the college-wide average.

There’s also the matter of score context relative to your school. If your high school’s average composite is lower than yours, a 28 is a standout result within your environment. Colleges that review applicants in context—many do—will weigh that.

Key Takeaways

• A 28 ACT composite is a strong score, ranking around the 88th–91st percentile and well above the national average.
• It’s competitive at many selective colleges but typically below range at highly selective schools.
• A 28 can qualify for merit aid, but automatic scholarship thresholds vary widely by school and state—a higher score sometimes unlocks more money.
• Retake only if it serves a clear goal: reaching a target school’s range, hitting a scholarship tier, or improving a weak section for superscoring.
• Always verify a specific college’s published ACT range and superscore policy before deciding.