What is a "Good" ACT Score for Oklahoma Universities?

If your Broken Arrow high schooler recently took the ACT, you are probably staring at their score report right now, wondering what the numbers actually mean. Is a 21 something to celebrate? Is a 26 enough to get into the University of Oklahoma?

When parents ask us, "What is a good ACT score?" our answer is always the same: A "good" score is the one that gets your student into their target school with the least amount of debt.

Because the ACT is a standardized test, "good" is entirely relative. It depends completely on whether your student is aiming for a highly competitive private university, a large state school, or a local community college.

Here is a breakdown of what to aim for based on the current landscape of Oklahoma colleges, plus the "magic numbers" that unlock major scholarship dollars.

The Baseline: Where Does Oklahoma Stand?

To understand what a "good" score is, it helps to know the averages. The ACT is scored on a scale of 1 to 36.

• The national average composite score currently hovers right around a 19.5.

• The Oklahoma state average is usually slightly lower, often landing around a 17.5 to 18.

If your student scores a 20 or above, they are already scoring higher than the average high schooler in the state. However, simply being "above average" doesn't necessarily guarantee admission or free money at the state's top-tier universities.

Target Scores by Oklahoma University Tiers

While many schools adopted "test-optional" admissions policies over the last few years, submitting a strong ACT score gives your student a massive competitive advantage. Here is what the middle 50% of admitted students typically score at various Oklahoma institutions:

1. Top-Tier & Private Universities (Target: 24 – 29+)

• University of Tulsa (TU): TU is highly competitive. While they accept a range of scores, the average admitted student usually scores between a 25 and a 31.

• University of Oklahoma (OU) & Oklahoma State University (OSU): For standard admission, a 24 is generally considered a very safe, competitive score. However, if your student is aiming for the Honors College at either university, they should be aiming for a 27 or higher.

2. Regional Universities (Target: 20 – 23) If your student is looking to stay a bit closer to Broken Arrow, regional universities are fantastic options with slightly more relaxed testing requirements.

• Schools like Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah or University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) generally look for scores in the 20 to 22 range for unconditional admission.

3. Community Colleges (Target: 19+)

• Tulsa Community College (TCC): TCC is an open-admission institution, meaning they do not require a minimum ACT score to get in! However, taking the ACT is still incredibly important. If a student scores below a 19 in Math or Reading, they are often required to take (and pay for) remedial, zero-credit courses before they can start their actual degree. A score of 19+ allows them to bypass those extra classes.

The Real Goal: Scholarships and "Free Money"

Here is the biggest secret in college admissions: Your student's ACT score is worth more for scholarships than it is for actual admission. Universities use ACT benchmarks to award automatic merit scholarships. For example, at many state schools, jumping from a 23 to a 24 might unlock an extra $1,500 a year. Jumping from a 24 to a 27 could mean a full tuition waiver.

Furthermore, if your student is aiming for the Oklahoma Promise (which pays full tuition at state public schools), there is a specific ACT hurdle. While public school students rely primarily on their GPA to secure the Oklahoma Promise, homeschool students must score a 22 or higher on the ACT to qualify for the funding.

How to Boost That Score

If your student's current score is a few points shy of their goal, don't panic. The ACT does not measure how "smart" a student is; it simply measures how well they take the ACT. It is a highly coachable test.

At the Broken Arrow Study Hub, we help students master the strategy behind the test.

• We teach time-management tricks so they stop running out of time on the Math and Reading sections.

• We identify and fill the specific foundational gaps (like forgotten geometry formulas or grammar rules) that are dragging their score down.

• We use official, full-length practice tests to eliminate test anxiety.

A 2 or 3-point jump is incredibly common with the right coaching, and those few points can literally translate into tens of thousands of dollars in saved college tuition.

Ready to Hit Your Target Score?

Whether your student is trying to hit a 19 for TCC or a 30 for the OU Honors College, we can help them get there.

Call the Broken Arrow Study Hub today at 918-939-9559 to ask about our upcoming ACT Prep Boot Camps and 1-on-1 private test prep sessions!