Utah Students See Higher ACT Scores in 2026
The state average reached 20.1 in 2026, surpassing the national average of 18.8.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Utah high school students recorded an average composite ACT score of 20.1 in 2026, an increase from 19.9 the previous year. This performance stands above the national average of 18.8 for the 1.3 million students tested.
Why it matters
The results demonstrate a notable improvement in student performance across the state as Utah maintains its policy of providing free ACT testing to all high school juniors.
Utah students achieved an average superscore of 25.8 in 2026, while 27 percent of public school graduates met all three core benchmarks. The state successfully tested over 90 percent of its graduating class.
The details
English benchmarks were met by 57 percent of graduates, while 45 percent met reading benchmarks and 34 percent reached math standards. Superscores, which combine the highest section results across multiple testing dates, remain a key metric for student achievement in the state.
Timeline
2019: The baseline for student proficiency assessment was established.
2021: This year marked the pandemic trough for student proficiency.
2025: Utah students recorded an average composite ACT score of 19.9.
2026: The state reached an average composite ACT score of 20.1.
Culture Shift
This performance trend reflects a broader shift toward universal standardized testing access in high schools. The state is utilizing these metrics to track academic progress against historical benchmarks established in 2019.
Students and parents can utilize the state's free ACT testing program to prepare for college admissions. The higher composite scores may impact how families evaluate local district curricula and student support services.
The takeaway
The 2026 results highlight a positive trend in standardized testing proficiency for the state. Families can leverage these aggregate results to better understand how local public schools are preparing graduates for higher education.
Further reading
For more information on state academic performance, visit Utah Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Deseret News.
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