Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

A 3.5 GPA means you've earned mostly B-pluses, and that puts you above the national average of 3.1. Roughly 1,600 colleges fall in range for you, from big public universities to well-known privates. Arizona State and Purdue look like good-fit targets, while tougher reaches such as Clemson or the University of Florida are still worth a shot.

Quick Facts for a 3.5 GPA

  • Letter grade: Typically A- (~88% on a common percentage scale).
  • vs national average: 3.5 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 1,591 schools (739 target, 258 reach, 594 safety).

Colleges You Can Get Into with a 3.5 GPA

Plenty of recognizable schools sit near a 3.5. Arizona State (average GPA 3.54) and the University of Arizona (average GPA 3.48) line up closely as targets, and Florida State or Texas A&M stay realistic even with averages a bit higher. Reaches like UT Austin or Michigan ask more on grades and selectivity, and safeties round things out where your odds look stronger. Colleges still look at course rigor, test scores when they use them, essays, activities, and recommendations alongside GPA.

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

At these schools your 3.5 sits near the average GPA, so you have a good shot if the rest of your application is solid. Arizona State University (average GPA 3.54) and the University of Kentucky (average GPA 3.59) are clear examples in this group.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Tallahassee, FL

 3.7 24% Medium

Coral Gables, FL

 3.7 19% Medium

Tempe, AZ

 3.54 90% Medium

Orlando, FL

 3.64 40% Medium

Knoxville, TN

 3.66 42% Medium

Lexington, KY

 3.59 93% Medium

West Lafayette, IN

 3.67 50% Medium

College Station, TX

 3.68 57% Medium

Greenville, NC

 3.33 89% Medium

Honolulu, HI

 3.67 87% Medium

Tucson, AZ

 3.48 86% Medium

Boulder, CO

 3.68 78% Medium
View all 739 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools run a higher average GPA, a lower admit rate, or both, so a 3.5 is possible but tougher. The University of Florida (average GPA 3.90) and UT Austin (average GPA 3.80) sit in this bucket - apply if you love them, and bring strong essays and activities.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Cambridge, MA

 4.0 4% Low

Stanford, CA

 3.96 4% Low

Gainesville, FL

 3.9 24% Low

Austin, TX

 3.8 27% Low

Ann Arbor, MI

 3.88 16% Low

Los Angeles, CA

 3.92 9% Low

Clemson, SC

 3.75 38% Low

Los Angeles, CA

 3.83 10% Low

Athens, GA

 4.0 38% Low

Chapel Hill, NC

 3.83 15% Low

Blacksburg, VA

 3.97 55% Low

New York, NY

 3.79 9% Low
View all 258 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safeties are places where your GPA is well above the average and admission odds look strong. Sam Houston State University (average GPA 3.25) and Indiana State University (average GPA 3.29) fit that pattern, and you have hundreds of similar options to lean on.

College Avg GPA Acceptance Rate Your Chance

Baltimore, MD

 3.1 82% High

Montgomery, AL

 2.95 98% High

Huntsville, TX

 3.25 90% High

Houston, TX

 3.0 97% High

Hayward, CA

 3.2 97% High

Union, NJ

 3.2 76% High

Petersburg, VA

 2.85 89% High

Terre Haute, IN

 3.29 81% High

Fresno, CA

 3.12 95% High

Savannah, GA

 2.77 100% High

Hyde Park, NY

 3.26 91% High

Albany, GA

 2.77 100% High
View all 594 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.5 GPA

Top Choices in Popular U.S. States

Browse colleges for a 3.5 GPA in popular states:

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Is a 3.5 GPA good?

A 3.5 demonstrates that you are a serious student, well prepared for many selective colleges and universities and is solidly above the the average U.S. high school GPA of 3.0. It indicates you've achieved a balance of A's and B's in your coursework, exemplifying a solid academic performance. 3.5 GPA is often seen as the benchmark for many academic scholarships, honors programs and many selective colleges. There are many large four-year colleges to choose from where a 3.5 is well within their typical GPA range and you will find yourself a strong applicant.

What is a 3.5 GPA?

A 3.5 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.5 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered above average performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.5 grade point average is 88% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 88% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- letter grades range from 3.3 to 3.6. Your 3.5 GPA positions you in the middle of the A- range, demonstrating you have likely earned a mix of A's (4.0) and B's (3.0). Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.

See the full 3.5 GPA scale page and our GPA scale guide.

Cum Laude

Cum laude or "with distinction" is a Latin Honor awarded to graduates with high academic performance. The precise range for cum laude designation varies by school but is generally between a 3.5 and 3.6 GPA. As a result, a graduate with a 3.5 GPA typically qualifies for cum laude honors at graduation.

3.5 GPA honor roll

Many high schools have honor rolls which are published to recognize students with consistently high performance. The qualifications for getting on the honor roll vary from school to school. Frequently, a high and standard honor roll is established with different criteria, sometimes for students above 3.0, 3.5 or 3.75 GPAs. In most cases a 3.5 will get you on the honor roll.

Demographic Statistics

How a 3.5 GPA stacks up to national high school averages across demographic groups.

Gender

  • Male: A 3.5 is 0.5 points (17%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 3.5 is 0.3 points (8%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 3.5 is 0.3 points (8%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 3.5 is 0.7 points (24%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 3.5 is 0.5 points (19%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.5 is 0.1 points (3%) higher 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 3.5 GPA?

Consider the following tips to improve or maintain your 3.5 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 3.5 GPA?

The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.5. 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 3.5 GPA is above the national high school average near 3.1 and is competitive at many four-year colleges. You match about 1591 schools across target, reach, and safety categories.

Next Steps

Published: August 19, 2026