ACT Score Ranges for Ivy League and Top Global Universities

A standardized test can boost your application in a competitive university globally. The ACT remains an applicable academic standard, especially in the United States and, in a way, the United Kingdom.

The following table shows an in-depth analysis of the ACT scores range of Ivy League schools, top non-Ivy colleges in the United States, and other well-known universities worldwide in the 2025 admission process.

Source: Google Images

Ivy League Universities: ACT Score Ranges (2025)

University	ACT Middle 50% Range (2025)	Testing Policy (2025)
Harvard University	34–36	Required
Yale University	33–35	Required (test-flexible)
Princeton University	34–35	Test-optional
Columbia University	34–35	Test-optional
University of Pennsylvania	34–35	Test-optional
Brown University	34–35	Required
Dartmouth College	32–35	Required
Cornell University	33–35	Required from Fall 2026

Middle 50% Range: 25th–75th percentile of admitted students.

Required: Applicants must submit ACT or SAT scores. Test-optional: Submitting scores is optional; not submitting will not disadvantage applicants. Test-flexible: Yale allows AP or IB scores as alternatives to ACT/SAT.

Top U.S. Non-Ivy Universities: ACT Score Ranges (2025)

University	ACT Middle 50% Range (2025)	Testing Policy (2025)
MIT	35–36	Required
Stanford University	34–35	To be reinstated Fall 2026
University of Chicago	34–35	Test-optional
Duke University	34–35	Test-optional
Johns Hopkins University	34–36	Test-optional
Northwestern University	33–35	Test-optional
Caltech	N/A (SAT/ACT reinstated 2025)	Required

Top Global Universities: ACT Score Ranges (2025) United Kingdom

University	ACT Range (2025)	Testing Policy (2025)
University of Oxford	Minimum 33	Not required, but accepted
University of Cambridge	Not required	Not required

Oxford: ACT is not required but can strengthen an application, especially for U.S. students. A minimum of 33 is considered competitive. Cambridge: Does not require ACT or SAT for admission; focuses on A-levels, IB, or equivalent.

Summary Table: ACT Score Ranges (2025)

University	ACT Range (Middle 50% or Minimum)	Required? (2025)
Harvard	34–36	Yes
Yale	33–35	Yes (test-flexible)
Princeton	34–35	No (test-optional)
Columbia	34–35	No (test-optional)
UPenn	34–35	No (test-optional)
Brown	34–35	Yes
Dartmouth	32–35	Yes
Cornell	33–35	Yes (from 2026)
MIT	35–36	Yes
Stanford	34–35	Yes (from 2026)
Oxford	Minimum 33	No, but accepted
Cambridge	Not required	No

Key Takeaways

• Ivy League ACT Ranges: Most Ivy League schools have a middle 50% ACT range of 33–36 for admitted students.

• Testing Policy Changes: Several Ivies and top U.S. universities are reinstating ACT/SAT requirements for 2025 or 2026 admissions.

• Global Universities: Oxford considers ACT (minimum 33) for U.S. applicants, while Cambridge does not require it.

• Competitiveness: A composite ACT score of 34 or higher is highly competitive for the world’s top universities.

  
  

Conclusion

As test policies change, particularly after the pandemic, the applicants should have an objective to perform well in the ACT exam and keep track of the latest admission guidelines followed by each university. Although a 34+ score can place you in an excellent competitive position, it is still imperative to have a balanced application with good academics, extracurriculars and essays. Be tactical, and never trust requirements published by third-party websites.

We know and understand that the application process can be overwhelming, so we are here for you. The study abroad experts at Hello Study Global are there for you every step of the way. From preparing for entrance exams to college applications, we will guide you to success.

Feel free to reach out to us at Hello Study Global.