Colleges for a 3.7 GPA
A 3.7 GPA puts you in a strong spot for college. That A- average sits well above the national mark of 3.1 and matches you with roughly 1,577 schools, including selective reaches like NYU and USC. You've earned mostly A's with some B's, and that opens real doors if you keep building a sharp application around it.
Quick Facts for a 3.7 GPA
- Letter grade: Typically A- (~90% on a common percentage scale).
- vs national average: 3.7 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 1,577 schools (551 target, 85 reach, 941 safety).
Colleges You Can Get Into with a 3.7 GPA
Plenty of competitive colleges sit in range with a 3.7. Reaches such as UCLA (average GPA 3.92), Duke (3.94), and USC (3.83) are tougher to get into because they stay highly selective even when your grades are close. Good-fit targets include the University of Florida (3.90) and UT Austin (3.80), where your GPA is near what admitted students typically bring. Admissions also weigh course rigor, test scores when used, essays, activities, and recommendations, so the full picture still matters. Safeties round things out as likelier backups.
Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)
At target schools, your 3.7 sits near the average GPA, so you have a good shot. Florida State (average GPA 3.70) and the University of Michigan (3.88) are solid examples of that match. Treat them as realistic options you can feel confident applying to.
Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)
Reach schools are still a climb with a 3.7, especially the most selective ones. Harvard and Stanford post average GPAs near 4.0, and places like Virginia Tech and Vanderbilt remain competitive too. Many top schools stay reaches even with strong grades because they admit only a small share of applicants.
Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)
Safety schools are where your 3.7 sits comfortably above the average and the odds look strong. University of Arizona (average GPA 3.48) and Temple University (3.46) are clear examples. You have hundreds of these backups to choose from while you aim higher elsewhere.
View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.7 GPA
Top Choices in Popular U.S. States
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Is a 3.7 GPA good?
A 3.7 is significantly above the the average U.S. high school GPA of 3.1. It demonstrates that you've earned a mix of A's and B's in your coursework, with more A's than B's, reflecting a commendable academic performance. There are a large number of selective four-year colleges to apply to where a 3.7 is well within the typical GPA range of accepted students. You will find yourself a very strong applicant at all but the most elite colleges.
What is a 3.7 GPA?
A 3.7 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.7 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered excellent performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.7 grade point average is 90% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 90% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- letter grades range from 3.7 to 3.9. Your 3.7 GPA positions you at the lower end of the A- range, slightly ahead of a B+ (3.3) average. Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.
See the full 3.7 GPA scale page and our GPA scale guide.
3.7 for Harvard and Ivy League
A 3.7 is well below the average GPA that Harvard or Ivy League schools usually accept. But, all of these elite colleges do admit some students with 3.7's every year. You would need to stand out in other ways with very high SATs, ACTs, AP classes, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and a compelling essay. Other factors like being recruited for athletics, ethnicity, community service, economic demographics / FAFSA or legacy can weigh in a students favor if they have a lower GPA.
Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 3.7 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.
- Harvard - 4.0 average GPA / 2.0% chance
- Princeton - 3.93 average GPA / 3.0% chance
- Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 2.3% chance
- Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 2.8% chance
- Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 3.2% chance
- Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 2.9% chance
- Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 5.8% chance
- Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 2.5% chance
- Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 2.2% chance
- MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 2.8% chance
- Caltech - 3.97 average GPA / 1.6% chance
Magna Cum Laude
Magna cum laude or "with great distinction" is the second highest Latin Honor. It is awarded to graduates with the very high academic performance. The exact range for magna cum laude varies by college or high school but is generally between a 3.7 and 3.8 GPA. As a result, a graduate with a 3.7 GPA is typically eligible for the magna cum laude distinction.
3.7 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 3.7 will get you on the honor roll.
Demographic Statistics
How a 3.7 GPA stacks up to national high school averages across demographic groups.
Gender
- Male: A 3.7 is 0.7 points (23%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
- Female: A 3.7 is 0.5 points (15%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23
Race/ethnicity
- White: A 3.7 is 0.5 points (15%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
- Black: A 3.7 is 0.9 points (31%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
- Hispanic: A 3.7 is 0.8 points (25%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
- Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.7 is 0.3 points (9%) 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 3.7 GPA?
Consider the following tips to improve or maintain your 3.7 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 3.7 GPA?
The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.7. 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 3.7 GPA is well above the national high school average near 3.1 and puts you in a strong position at many selective colleges. You are competitive at about 1577 four-year schools in our match set, though the most selective universities may still be reaches.
Next Steps
- Search and filter colleges matching your 3.7 GPA
- Compare nearby GPAs: 3.6 and 3.8
- Browse the Colleges by GPA hub
- Use the high school GPA calculator or raise GPA calculator
Published: August 19, 2026