Colleges for a 3.3 GPA

A 3.3 GPA means you've earned mostly B-plus work, and that puts you a notch above the national average of 3.1. Roughly 1,580 colleges fall in a realistic range for you, from big state universities to private schools. Targets like East Carolina University and Temple University sit right around your GPA, so you're in a strong spot to aim at a real mix of options.

Quick Facts for a 3.3 GPA

  • Letter grade: Typically B+ (~87% on a common percentage scale).
  • vs national average: 3.3 is above the typical U.S. high school GPA near 3.1.
  • Scale note: Figures here use an unweighted 4.0 GPA unless a college reports otherwise.
  • College options: Competitive at 1,578 schools (609 target, 538 reach, 431 safety).

Colleges You Can Get Into with a 3.3 GPA

Plenty of recognizable schools match a 3.3 pretty well. East Carolina (average GPA 3.33), San Jose State (3.35), the University of Arizona (3.48), and Texas State (3.38) are solid target fits where your grades look similar to typical admits. You can stretch toward tougher reaches like Florida State or Michigan State, where averages run higher and spots are harder to win. Safer backups round out the mix when you want stronger odds. Admissions still look past GPA at course rigor, test scores when a school uses them, essays, activities, and recommendations.

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools are the ones where a 3.3 lines up closely with their average GPA, so you have a good shot. East Carolina University sits around 3.33, and the University of Houston is near 3.46. These are realistic good-fit options if you apply thoughtfully.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Greenville, NC

 3.33 89% Medium

Tucson, AZ

 3.48 86% Medium

San Marcos, TX

 3.38 89% Medium

Houston, TX

 3.46 74% Medium

San Jose, CA

 3.35 85% Medium

Tampa, FL

 3.5 40% Medium

Philadelphia, PA

 3.46 80% Medium

San Francisco, CA

 3.31 96% Medium

Pullman, WA

 3.5 87% Medium

Chicago, IL

 3.41 77% Medium

Albany, NY

 3.3 69% Medium

Denton, TX

 3.46 72% Medium
View all 609 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reaches are schools where the average GPA is higher or admission is simply more competitive. University of Florida and UT Austin often see averages near 3.8-3.9, and Clemson or Florida State are selective too. A 3.3 keeps the door cracked open at some of them, but expect a tougher fight and lean on the rest of your application.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Gainesville, FL

 3.9 24% Low

Austin, TX

 3.8 27% Low

Ann Arbor, MI

 3.88 16% Low

Tallahassee, FL

 3.7 24% Low

Clemson, SC

 3.75 38% Low

Los Angeles, CA

 3.83 10% Low

Coral Gables, FL

 3.7 19% Low

Tempe, AZ

 3.54 90% Low

Chapel Hill, NC

 3.83 15% Low

New York, NY

 3.79 9% Low

Nashville, TN

 3.89 6% Low

East Lansing, MI

 3.72 85% Low
View all 538 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools are places where your GPA sits comfortably above the usual range, so the odds look strong. Alabama State University and Virginia State University are examples with averages well below 3.3. They give you dependable backups while you compete higher up.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Montgomery, AL

 2.95 98% High

Houston, TX

 3.0 97% High

Petersburg, VA

 2.85 89% High

Savannah, GA

 2.77 100% High

Albany, GA

 2.77 100% High

Orem, UT

 3.52 100% High

Winston-Salem, NC

 3.01 78% High

Orlando, FL

 - 100% High

Lawrenceville, GA

 2.88 95% High

Fort Lauderdale, FL

 - 100% High

Miami, FL

 - 100% High

Franklin, MA

 2.88 74% High
View all 431 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.3 GPA

Top Choices in Popular U.S. States

Browse colleges for a 3.3 GPA in popular states:

Local Options for a 3.3 GPA

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Is a 3.3 GPA good?

A 3.3 is a fairly good GPA. It indicates you've earned mix of A's and B's, leaning slightly towards B's and demonstrates a above-average academic performance. Students with a 3.3 are performing slightly above the average college-bound high school student and 0.3 grade points higher than the average U.S. high school GPA. While not the most competitive, there are many good colleges that will accept students with a 3.3 and you will have a solid chance for acceptance at most schools.

What is a 3.3 GPA?

A 3.3 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.3 GPA indicates you averaged B+ grades in your classes and delivered above average performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.3 grade point average is 87% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 87% on tests and assignments. GPA values for B+ letter grades range from 3.3 to 3.6. Your 3.3 GPA positions you at the lower end of the B+ range, yet slightly better than a B (3.0) average. Learn more about what the B+ letter grade signifies.

See the full 3.3 GPA scale page and our GPA scale guide.

Demographic Statistics

How a 3.3 GPA stacks up to national high school averages across demographic groups.

Gender

  • Male: A 3.3 is 0.3 points (10%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 3.3 is 0.1 points (2%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 3.3 is 0.1 points (2%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 3.3 is 0.5 points (17%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 3.3 is 0.3 points (12%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.3 is 0.1 points (3%) lower than the average Asian/Pacific Islander student GPA of 3.39

Statistics source: 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) High School Transcript Study (HSTS)

How can I raise my 3.3 GPA?

Consider the following tips to improve or maintain your 3.3 GPA. These study habits help in high school and strengthen college admission chances.

  • Identify areas of weakness: Determine which subjects or topics you struggle with and focus on improving those areas.
  • Develop a study schedule: Create a consistent study routine that allocates time for each subject.
  • Use effective study techniques: Employ spaced repetition and active recall to enhance learning and retention.
  • Seek help when needed: Ask teachers, peers, or tutors if you're struggling with a subject.
  • Participate in class: Engage in discussions and ask questions to deepen understanding.
  • Practice good time management: Balance studying, activities, and rest so grades stay on track.
  • Monitor your progress: Track your GPA with a GPA calculator and adjust strategies as needed.

Chart your path with a raise your GPA calculator to see the future grades you need.

How high can I still increase my 3.3 GPA?

The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.3. As you progress in school it becomes more and more difficult to improve your overall grade point average. Select the tab and table column corresponding to the last semester you completed. Then find a row for your predicted future letter grade average. The result would be your GPA at graduation if you can maintain that letter grade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes - a 3.3 GPA is above the national high school average near 3.1 and is competitive at many four-year colleges. You match about 1578 schools across target, reach, and safety categories.

Next Steps

Published: August 19, 2026