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
View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change GPA

Explore colleges for other GPAs

-1 +1
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 4,131 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Johns Hopkins University
Connect Me
J
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.92 Average GPA

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 31,275enrollment
  • $24,034net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1520-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Alabama
Connect Me
A
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Alabama

  • 38,644enrollment
  • $20,592net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1410SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Diego State University
Connect Me
S
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.82 Average GPA

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 37,402enrollment
  • $13,017net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Boston University
Connect Me
B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,714enrollment
  • $27,829net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance17%

Applications Due Jan 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
Auburn University
Connect Me
A
Auburn University, AL

Auburn University

Public 4 Year

9 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Alabama

  • 31,764enrollment
  • $25,271net price
  • 44%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1380SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Ohio State University
Connect Me
O
Columbus, OH

Ohio State University

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.76 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 60,540enrollment
  • $19,582net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1480SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance61%

Applications Due Feb 1

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

University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.75 Estimated Average GPA

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 35,937enrollment
  • $14,033net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance27%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Pennsylvania
Connect Me
P
Philadelphia, PA

University of Pennsylvania

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.95 Estimated Average GPA

#23 Best Colleges in America

  • 28,201enrollment
  • $26,123net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
Yale University
Connect Me
Y
New Haven, CT

Yale University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.95 Estimated Average GPA

#6 Best Colleges in America

  • 14,776enrollment
  • $18,647net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance4%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Chicago
Connect Me
C
Chicago, IL

University of Chicago

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.95 Estimated Average GPA

#7 Best Colleges in America

  • 18,339enrollment
  • $36,991net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance4%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Baylor University
Connect Me
B
Waco, TX

Baylor University

Private 4 Year

14 reviews

3.74 Estimated Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 20,709enrollment
  • $45,988net price
  • 46%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1410SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Maryland College Park
Connect Me
M
College Park, MD

University of Maryland College Park

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.84 Estimated Average GPA

#13 Best Public Universities in America

  • 40,792enrollment
  • $16,210net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1520SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance49%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Wisconsin Madison
Connect Me
W
Madison, WI

University of Wisconsin Madison

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#17 Best Public Universities in America

  • 48,956enrollment
  • $13,376net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1510SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Washington Seattle Campus
Connect Me
W
Seattle, WA

University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.82 Average GPA

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 52,319enrollment
  • $10,603net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Nov 16

Compare Calculate my chances 
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
Connect Me
N
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

#22 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,700enrollment
  • $14,852net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1460SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Villanova University
Connect Me
V
Villanova, PA

Villanova University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 10,383enrollment
  • $34,837net price
  • 23%acceptance rate
  • 1378-1500SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance24%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance12%

Applications Due Nov 30

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 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance30%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances