Colleges for a 3.9 GPA

colleges that accept a 3.9 grade point average

What is a 3.9 GPA?

A 3.9 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.9 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered excellent performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.9 grade point average is 92% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 92% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- grades range from 3.7 to 3.9. Your 3.9 GPA positions you at the high end of the A- range, demonstrating you have earned almost perfect straight A's. Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.

Is a 3.9 GPA good?

A 3.9 is just short of the highest possible unweighted GPA of a 4.0. You've nearly earned straight A's throughout school, with only a few A-'s. Overall a 3.9 indicates consistently high level of academic performance. This near-perfect score positions you as a top candidate for scholarships, honors programs, and very competitive colleges.

What colleges can I get into with a 3.9 GPA?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 3.9 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 294 colleges would consider your 3.9 GPA competitive. The most popular colleges, historically accepting students with GPAs within the range of 3.7 to 4.1 (3.9 +/- 0.2), are listed below. To view your chances of admission at each school, scroll down and explore the full list.

3.9 for Harvard and Ivy League

A 3.9 unweighted can definitely get you into Harvard or any Ivy League school. All of these universities have average GPA's in the 3.9 range. However you will need more than a perfect GPA to stand out. These elite colleges take a comprehensive look at at each applicant factoring in SAT, ACT, high school class load, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and essays. Competition is so extreme, even a 3.9 usually doesn't cut it.

Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 3.9 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.

  • Harvard - 4.0 average GPA / 2.4% chance
  • Princeton - 3.93 average GPA / 5.6% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 4.5% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 6.3% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 6.0% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 4.6% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 7.0% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 3.9% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 3.5% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 3.5% chance
  • Caltech - 3.97 average GPA / 2.6% chance

Summa Cum Laude

The Latin phrase "summa cum laude" means "with highest honors" and is a distinction awarded to class graduates with the highest academic performance. The exact range for summa cum laude varies by college or high school but is generally between a 3.8 and 4.0 GPA. Thus a 3.9 GPA is typically eligible for the summa cum laude distinction.

3.9 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 3.9 will get you on the honor roll.

Demographic Statistics

Let's examine how a 3.9 GPA stacks up to the national high school averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 3.9 is 0.9 points (30%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 3.9 is 0.7 points (21%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 3.9 is 0.7 points (21%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 3.9 is 1.1 points (38%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 3.9 is 0.9 points (32%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.9 is 0.5 points (15%) 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 high can I still increase my 3.9 GPA?

The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.9. 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 3.9 after first semester can still possibly raise their GPA as high as a 3.99 or drop it to a 0.49. 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 3.9 GPA to before graduation for freshmen
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.99 3.98
A- 3.73 3.75
B+ 3.37 3.45
B 3.11 3.23
B- 2.85 3.00
C+ 2.50 2.70
C 2.24 2.48
C- 1.98 2.25
D+ 1.62 1.95
D 1.36 1.73
D- 1.10 1.50
F 0.49 0.97

Sophomores with a 3.9 after first semester can still raise their GPA as high as a 3.96 or see it fall to a 1.46. 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 3.9 GPA to before graduation for sophomores
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.96 3.95
A- 3.77 3.80
B+ 3.52 3.60
B 3.34 3.45
B- 3.15 3.30
C+ 2.90 3.10
C 2.71 2.95
C- 2.52 2.80
D+ 2.27 2.60
D 2.09 2.45
D- 1.90 2.30
F 1.46 1.95

Juniors with a 3.9 after first semester can still raise their GPA to a 3.94 or lower it to a 2.44. 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 3.9 GPA to before graduation for juniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.94 3.92
A- 3.83 3.85
B+ 3.67 3.75
B 3.56 3.67
B- 3.45 3.60
C+ 3.30 3.50
C 3.19 3.42
C- 3.08 3.35
D+ 2.92 3.25
D 2.81 3.17
D- 2.70 3.10
F 2.44 2.92

After first semester senior year your GPA is fairly locked in. A 3.9 can be raised a 3.91 or slip to a 3.41. 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 3.9 GPA to before graduation for seniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.91 3.90
A- 3.88 3.90
B+ 3.83 3.90
B 3.79 3.90
B- 3.75 3.90
C+ 3.70 3.90
C 3.66 3.90
C- 3.62 3.90
D+ 3.58 3.90
D 3.54 3.90
D- 3.50 3.90
F 3.41 3.90
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GPA 3.9 Public Private 4 year

294 results nationwide

List of 3.9 GPA Colleges

Displaying 294 colleges where your 3.9 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 738 target schools (good chance), 138 reach (harder) schools and 4,185 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Middlebury College
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M
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#23 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,843enrollment
  • $22,181net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1425-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance13%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Claremont McKenna College
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C
Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#18 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,389enrollment
  • $28,701net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance10%

Applications Due Jan 5

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Scripps College
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S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,099enrollment
  • $43,923net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1510SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance24%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Xavier University of Louisiana
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X
HBCU
New Orleans, LA

Xavier University of Louisiana

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Louisiana

  • 3,419enrollment
  • $18,080net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1160SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance97%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,958enrollment
  • $22,755net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 27-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance96%

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 10,599enrollment
  • $12,838net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 910-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance85%

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Denison University
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D
Granville, OH

Denison University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.76 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,416enrollment
  • $38,267net price
  • 22%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1460SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance28%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,759enrollment
  • $33,467net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance11%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Hamilton College
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H
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.87 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Value Colleges in New York

  • 2,072enrollment
  • $24,503net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1540SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance13%

Applications Due Jan 5

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Kenyon College
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K
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.84 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 1,885enrollment
  • $43,044net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1515SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Stevens Institute of Technology
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S
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in New Jersey

  • 9,314enrollment
  • $41,689net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1510SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance47%

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Michigan Technological University
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M
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.78 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 7,063enrollment
  • $18,235net price
  • 94%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1350SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance95%

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DePauw University
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D
Greencastle, IN

DePauw University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,752enrollment
  • $29,486net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1360SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Hope College
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H
Holland, MI

Hope College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

#3 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,251enrollment
  • $25,800net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1330SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance83%

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SUNY at Geneseo
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G
Geneseo, NY

SUNY at Geneseo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#6 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 4,184enrollment
  • $19,557net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lewis & Clark College
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L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.95 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,595enrollment
  • $35,832net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1400SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due Jan 15

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#22 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,615enrollment
  • $30,416net price
  • 87%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Rhodes College
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R
Memphis, TN

Rhodes College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.99 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,008enrollment
  • $30,672net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1470SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance49%

Applications Due Jan 15

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