ACT Scores
18 ACT to SAT: 970
An ACT 18 converts to an SAT 970 on the official table, and any SAT from 960 to 980 converts back to a 18. It ranks at the 52nd percentile nationally and is inside or above the middle-50% ACT range at 0 of the 141 colleges we track.
SAT equivalent
970
SAT 960 to 980
National rank
52%
score at or below
In range or above
0
of 141 colleges
Below the range
141
of 141 colleges
The closest reaches for a 18
A 18 is below the 25th percentile at 141 of the 141 colleges that publish a range. These are the ones where the gap is smallest.
- University of North Texas19–27
- West Virginia University20–26
- University of Kansas20–28
- Florida International University21–27
- Florida Atlantic University21–26
- University of Arkansas21–28
- Mississippi State University21–29
- University of Iowa21–28
- University of Arizona21–29
- Iowa State University21–28
- University of Kentucky21–28
- University of Mississippi21–29
Keep this list for a 18
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Frequently asked questions
What is a 18 ACT in SAT terms?
An ACT Composite of 18 is equivalent to an SAT total of 970 on the official ACT/SAT concordance published by College Board and ACT. SAT totals from 960 to 980 all convert back to an ACT 18.
Is 18 a good ACT score?
A 18 ranks at the 52nd percentile, meaning 52% of recent ACT-tested graduates scored a 18 or lower. It is at or above the 25th percentile of enrolled students at 0 of the 141 colleges in our dataset that publish an ACT range, and above the 75th percentile at 0 of them.
Should I retake the ACT with a 18?
A retake is worth the most at schools where a 18 is below the 25th percentile, because that is where your score is working against you. At schools where you are already inside the middle 50%, a retake is optional. At schools where you are above the 75th percentile, the ACT is no longer what holds your application back.
ACT ranges are the 25th to 75th percentile of enrolled first-year students, sourced from College Scorecard API — U.S. Department of Education (api.data.gov) and Editorial overrides layer (overrides.json) — Common Data Set & institutional sources. ACT national ranks: ACT Score National Ranks, 2026-2027 reporting year.
