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

George Washington University
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Washington, DC

George Washington University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.81 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 25,939enrollment
  • $42,723net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1330-1490SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Jan 5

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California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
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San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in California

  • 22,000enrollment
  • $19,184net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance25%

Applications Due Nov 30

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California State University Fullerton
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C
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.77 Average GPA

#17 Best Public Universities in California

  • 40,386enrollment
  • $7,925net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1000-1180SAT range
  • 18-23ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Nov 30

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The University of Texas at Dallas
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T
Richardson, TX

The University of Texas at Dallas

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.78 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 31,570enrollment
  • $13,555net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1430SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due May 1

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Spelman College
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HBCU
Atlanta, GA

Spelman College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 3,102enrollment
  • $37,085net price
  • 28%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance36%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Brigham Young University Provo
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B
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo

Private 4 Year

15 reviews

3.89 Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Utah

  • 34,464enrollment
  • $13,521net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1280-1468SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Dec 16

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Coastal Carolina University
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C
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#6 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,337enrollment
  • $14,016net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1190SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance85%

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University of Iowa
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Iowa City, IA

University of Iowa

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.81 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Iowa

  • 30,015enrollment
  • $19,587net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1340SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance88%

Applications Due May 1

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University of California Riverside
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Riverside, CA

University of California Riverside

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#9 Best Public Universities in California

  • 26,809enrollment
  • $14,487net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1280SAT range
  • 22-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Chapman University
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C
Orange, CA

Chapman University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#10 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,014enrollment
  • $45,033net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1400SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jan 15

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College of Charleston
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Charleston, SC

College of Charleston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.94 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 10,885enrollment
  • $21,120net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Dartmouth College
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D
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.9 Estimated Average GPA

#12 Best Colleges in America

  • 6,744enrollment
  • $19,208net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 3

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University of Minnesota Twin Cities
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Minneapolis, MN

University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Minnesota

  • 54,955enrollment
  • $16,018net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1500SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Loyola University Chicago
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Chicago, IL

Loyola University Chicago

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 16,899enrollment
  • $37,511net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1370SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance85%

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Florida International University
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F
Miami, FL

Florida International University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#5 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 55,609enrollment
  • $9,881net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1060-1250SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Apr 1

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University at Buffalo
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U
Buffalo, NY

University at Buffalo

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 32,099enrollment
  • $18,524net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1380SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance75%

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DePaul University
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Chicago, IL

DePaul University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 20,917enrollment
  • $32,151net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Feb 1

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CUNY Hunter College
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H
New York, NY

CUNY Hunter College

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#10 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 22,970enrollment
  • $4,848net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance60%

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