Utah’s graduating class of 2025 maintained one of the nation’s strongest ACT performances among states where nearly all students take the college entrance exam, according to new data released today by ACT.
A total of 45,677 Utah students from the class of 2025 took the ACT, representing 91 percent of graduates. Utah’s average composite score held steady at 20.0, unchanged from 2024 and well above the national average of 19.4
“Utah continues to stand out nationally for maintaining both high participation and strong performance,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Molly Hart. “We are proud of the consistency shown by Utah students, teachers, and schools as we work to prepare every student for success after high school.”
Utah was one of 15 states that tested 90 percent or more of graduates. Within this group, Utah ranked first in average composite score (20.0) — ahead of Wisconsin (19.4) and Montana (19.4) — and first in benchmark attainment across English, reading, math, and science.
Nationally, 2025 ACT-tested graduates held steady with an average composite of 19.4, matching 2024. Participation also remained stable at about 1.38 million test-takers.
Benchmark Performance
Among Utah graduates:
- 57% met the English benchmark (compared to 50% nationally).
- 32% met the Math benchmark (29% nationally).
- 43% met the Reading benchmark (39% nationally).
- 33% met the Science benchmark (30% nationally).
- 22% met all four benchmarks, up one percentage point from 2024.
Utah’s average composite score has remained stable at 19.9–20.0 for the past five years, despite a growing test-taking population. Over the same period, the national average fell slightly from 19.8 to 19.4. Participation has gradually rebounded since pandemic disruptions in 2020, when Utah’s statewide ACT testing program was temporarily interrupted.
Utah remains one of only a few states that funds ACT testing for all high school juniors, ensuring access regardless of income or background. The Utah State Board of Education partners with ACT to provide the test each spring to every Utah junior in public school at no cost.
“Our goal isn’t just to compare scores,” Hart added, “it’s to make sure every Utah student has the opportunity to measure their college readiness and use that information to plan their future, whether that’s at a university, a technical program, or in the workforce.”
About ACT Data
The ACT is a curriculum-based measure of college readiness in English, mathematics, reading, and science. The annual ACT graduating class data release includes all students who graduated in 2025 and took the ACT at any point between 10th and 12th grade.
More information about Utah’s ACT scores can be found on the USBE Data Gateway.
