Colleges for a 3.8 GPA

colleges that accept a 3.8 grade point average

What is a 3.8 GPA?

A 3.8 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.8 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered excellent performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.8 grade point average is 91% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 91% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- letter grades range from 3.7 to 3.9. Your 3.8 GPA positions you in the middle of the A- range, demonstrating you have likely earned almost all A's (4.0) with a few B's (3.0). Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.

Is a 3.8 GPA good?

A 3.8 is very close of the highest possible GPA on the 4.0 scale. It shows that you've primarily achieved A's and a few B's or A-'s, demonstrating a high level of academic accomplishment. This puts you in a strong position for acceptance at many prestigious colleges and is likely to attract the attention of college recruiters.

What colleges can I get into with a 3.8 GPA?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 3.8 places you within of the academic range at colleges like Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Florida. Based on incoming freshman GPA data for U.S. schools, our analysis indicates that 452 colleges would consider your 3.8 GPA competitive. The most popular colleges, historically accepting students with GPAs within the range of 3.6 to 4.0 (3.8 +/- 0.2), are listed below. To view your chances of admission at each school, scroll down and explore the full list.

3.8 for Harvard and Ivy League

A 3.8 is a bit below the average that Harvard or Ivy League schools usually accept. However, all of these elite colleges do admit some students with 3.8'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.

Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 3.8 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.

  • Harvard - 4.0 average GPA / 1.9% chance
  • Princeton - 3.93 average GPA / 4.5% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 3.6% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 5.0% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 4.8% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 3.6% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 5.6% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 3.1% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 2.8% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 2.8% chance
  • Caltech - 3.97 average GPA / 2.0% 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 3.8 GPA is typically eligible for the magna cum laude distinction.

3.8 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 3.8 will get you on the honor roll.

Demographic Statistics

Let's examine how a 3.8 GPA stacks up to the national high school averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 3.8 is 0.8 points (27%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 3.8 is 0.6 points (18%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 3.8 is 0.6 points (18%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 3.8 is 1 points (34%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 3.8 is 0.8 points (29%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.8 is 0.4 points (12%) 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 3.8 GPA?

Consider the following tips to improve or maintain your 3.8 GPA. These are good study habits to develop in high school which will improve your college admission chances.

  • Identify areas of weakness: Determine which subjects or topics you struggle with and focus on improving those areas. This targeted approach will help you make the most significant impact on your overall GPA.
  • Develop a study schedule: Create a consistent study routine that allocates time for each subject. Establishing regular study habits will help you stay on track and better retain information.
  • Use effective study techniques: Employ proven study techniques like spaced repetition and active recall to enhance your learning and retention.
  • Seek help when needed: Don't hesitate to ask for help from teachers, peers, or tutors if you're struggling with a subject. Most schools offer tutoring services, and your teachers are there to support your learning.
  • Participate in class: Engage in classroom discussions and ask questions. Active participation can deepen your understanding of the material and demonstrate your commitment to learning.
  • Organize your study materials: Keep your notes, assignments, and resources well-organized, making it easier to access and review them when needed.
  • Break down large tasks: Divide complex projects or lengthy assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes it easier to track your progress and reduce feeling overwhelmed.
  • Practice good time management: Use to-do lists or online schedulers to manage your time effectively. Dedicating time for studying, extracurricular activities, and relaxation can help you maintain a healthy balance.
  • Utilize online resources: Take advantage of online resources, such as Khan Academy, YouTube tutorials, or educational websites, to supplement your learning and gain a deeper understanding of challenging topics.
  • Join or form study groups: Collaborate with classmates in study groups to review material, discuss concepts, and prepare for exams. This collaborative learning environment can boost your motivation and understanding of the subject matter.
  • Stay consistent: Consistency is key to improving your GPA. Maintain good study habits, complete assignments on time, and stay focused on your academic goals.
  • Monitor your progress: Track your GPA with a GPA calculator and assess your progress. This will help you stay motivated and adjust your strategies as needed to continue improving.
  • Foster a growth mindset: Believe in your ability to grow and improve. Embrace challenges as opportunities for learning and remind yourself that your efforts will yield results.

Aside from good study habits, chart your path towards your target GPA by understanding what it will take to get there. You can refer to a raise your GPA calculator to check the future grades you need to achieve the GPA you aspire to.

How high can I still increase my 3.8 GPA?

The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.8. 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.

Freshmen with a 3.8 after first semester can still possibly raise their GPA as high as a 3.98 or drop it to a 0.47. There is still a lot of time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 3.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.8 GPA to before graduation for freshmen
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.98 3.95
A- 3.71 3.73
B+ 3.36 3.42
B 3.10 3.20
B- 2.84 2.98
C+ 2.49 2.67
C 2.23 2.45
C- 1.96 2.22
D+ 1.61 1.93
D 1.35 1.70
D- 1.09 1.47
F 0.47 0.95

Sophomores with a 3.8 after first semester can still raise their GPA as high as a 3.92 or see it fall to a 1.42. You have some time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 2.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.8 GPA to before graduation for sophomores
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.92 3.90
A- 3.74 3.75
B+ 3.49 3.55
B 3.30 3.40
B- 3.11 3.25
C+ 2.86 3.05
C 2.67 2.90
C- 2.49 2.75
D+ 2.24 2.55
D 2.05 2.40
D- 1.86 2.25
F 1.42 1.90

Juniors with a 3.8 after first semester can still raise their GPA to a 3.88 or lower it to a 2.38. You have limited classes left to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 1.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.8 GPA to before graduation for juniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.88 3.85
A- 3.76 3.77
B+ 3.61 3.67
B 3.50 3.60
B- 3.39 3.52
C+ 3.24 3.42
C 3.12 3.35
C- 3.01 3.27
D+ 2.86 3.17
D 2.75 3.10
D- 2.64 3.02
F 2.38 2.85

After first semester senior year your GPA is fairly locked in. A 3.8 can be raised a 3.82 or slip to a 3.32. You have very little time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 0.50 grade points at the most.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.8 GPA to before graduation for seniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.82 3.80
A- 3.79 3.80
B+ 3.74 3.80
B 3.70 3.80
B- 3.66 3.80
C+ 3.61 3.80
C 3.57 3.80
C- 3.54 3.80
D+ 3.49 3.80
D 3.45 3.80
D- 3.41 3.80
F 3.32 3.80
View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change GPA

Explore colleges for other GPAs

-1 +1
GPA 3.8 Public Private 4 year

452 results nationwide

List of 3.8 GPA Colleges

Displaying 452 colleges where your 3.8 GPA is within the typical range of past accepted students. You have a chance at being accepted but admission may be challenging at more selective colleges. Filter by admission chance for 1,200 target schools (good chance), 138 reach (harder) schools and 3,777 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

University of California Berkeley
Connect Me
C
Berkeley, CA

University of California Berkeley

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#5 Best Public Universities in America

  • 45,307enrollment
  • $19,257net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1530SAT range
  • 30-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance9%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Purdue University Main Campus
Connect Me
P
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

3.67 Average GPA

#15 Best Public Universities in America

  • 51,528enrollment
  • $12,576net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1470SAT range
  • 27-34ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance60%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Santa Barbara
Connect Me
C
Santa Barbara, CA

University of California Santa Barbara

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.82 Estimated Average GPA

#19 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,420enrollment
  • $16,874net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1460SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance25%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Cornell University
Connect Me
C
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.9 Estimated Average GPA

#19 Best Colleges in America

  • 25,898enrollment
  • $26,060net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Virginia Main Campus
Connect Me
V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.85 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,082enrollment
  • $19,469net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance17%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas A&M University College Station
Connect Me
T
College Station, TX

Texas A&M University College Station

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.68 Estimated Average GPA

#21 Best Public Universities in America

  • 74,014enrollment
  • $20,375net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1390SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Connect Me
H
Honolulu, HI

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.67 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Hawaii

  • 19,074enrollment
  • $13,639net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 18-24ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance79%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Colorado Boulder
Connect Me
C
Boulder, CO

University of Colorado Boulder

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.68 Average GPA

#2 Best Public Universities in Colorado

  • 39,585enrollment
  • $21,836net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1390SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Tech University
Connect Me
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,378enrollment
  • $17,896net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance69%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Davis
Connect Me
C
Davis, CA

University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 39,679enrollment
  • $17,385net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance27%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgetown University
Connect Me
G
Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 20,984enrollment
  • $35,566net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance10%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwestern University
Connect Me
N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.92 Estimated Average GPA

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,161enrollment
  • $22,095net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance5%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of South Carolina Columbia
Connect Me
S
Columbia, SC

University of South Carolina Columbia

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.69 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 35,653enrollment
  • $22,427net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1380SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus
Connect Me
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.85 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 45,296enrollment
  • $17,402net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1550SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance15%

Applications Due Jan 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pepperdine University
Connect Me
P
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#11 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,030enrollment
  • $47,804net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1285-1480SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Notre Dame
Connect Me
N
Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame

Private 4 Year

7 reviews

3.91 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Indiana

  • 13,105enrollment
  • $28,474net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance10%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Long Beach
Connect Me
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance46%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Appalachian State University
Connect Me
A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

3.96 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances