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.

Wheaton College
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W
Wheaton, IL

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 2,885enrollment
  • $29,961net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance91%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Brandeis University
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B
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,581enrollment
  • $45,565net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance42%

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Hofstra University
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H
Hempstead, NY

Hofstra University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#25 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 10,238enrollment
  • $35,036net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1370SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance76%

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United States Naval Academy
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N
Annapolis, Maryland

United States Naval Academy

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.8 Estimated Average GPA

 

  • 4,450enrollment
  • -net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1440SAT range
  • 25-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance14%

Applications Due Jan 31

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University of Dallas
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D
Irving, TX

University of Dallas

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.9 Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 2,328enrollment
  • $27,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 8,315enrollment
  • $30,752net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance73%

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University of Vermont
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V
Burlington, VT

University of Vermont

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 14,088enrollment
  • $21,849net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Williams College
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W
Williamstown, MA

Williams College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.94 Estimated Average GPA

#13 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,222enrollment
  • $20,965net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 10

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Case Western Reserve University
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C
Cleveland, OH

Case Western Reserve University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.86 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 12,201enrollment
  • $38,279net price
  • 27%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1540SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance29%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,993enrollment
  • $40,119net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance70%

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Kansas State University
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K
Manhattan, KS

Kansas State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.77 Average GPA

 

  • 19,722enrollment
  • $18,855net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance96%

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University of Tulsa
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T
Tulsa, OK

University of Tulsa

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Oklahoma

  • 3,769enrollment
  • $28,087net price
  • 69%acceptance rate
  • 1078-1350SAT range
  • 21-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance65%

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University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 13,991enrollment
  • $17,692net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance78%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Rochester Institute of Technology
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R
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#22 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 16,615enrollment
  • $39,600net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1450SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance76%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Washington and Lee University
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W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.87 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Virginia

  • 2,243enrollment
  • $24,733net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1533SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance18%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Skidmore College
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S
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Estimated Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,758enrollment
  • $33,389net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance33%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Bradley University
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B
Peoria, IL

Bradley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in Illinois

  • 5,552enrollment
  • $24,053net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance78%

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New Jersey Institute of Technology
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N
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute of Technology

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in New Jersey

  • 12,332enrollment
  • $17,762net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1450SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Mar 1

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