Eastern Colleges for a 3.9 GPA

Eastern 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 Eastern colleges like Harvard University, New York University and Princeton University. Based on incoming freshman GPA data for Eastern schools, our analysis indicates that 81 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 / 3.7% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 4.5% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 5.4% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 6.0% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 4.6% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 8.0% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 3.9% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 3.5% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 4.4% 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

Change GPA

Explore colleges for other GPAs

-1 +1
GPA 3.9 East Public Private 4 year

81 results

List of 3.9 GPA Colleges

Displaying 81 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 159 target schools (good chance), 78 reach (harder) schools and 933 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

SUNY College at Cortland
Connect Me
C
Cortland, NY

SUNY College at Cortland

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#16 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 6,780enrollment
  • $18,474net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1240SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance62%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Connect Me
W
Worcester, MA

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.9 Average GPA

 

  • 7,353enrollment
  • $47,799net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Feb 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Trinity College
Connect Me
T
Hartford, CT

Trinity College

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

3.8 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Connecticut

  • 2,276enrollment
  • $31,806net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1460SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance39%

Applications Due Jan 17

Compare Calculate my chances 
Sarah Lawrence College
Connect Me
S
Bronxville, NY

Sarah Lawrence College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#14 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 1,743enrollment
  • $43,571net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1440SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bryn Mawr College
Connect Me
B
Bryn Mawr, PA

Bryn Mawr College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.85 Estimated Average GPA

#11 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,666enrollment
  • $39,383net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Simmons University
Connect Me
S
Boston, MA

Simmons University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#15 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,053enrollment
  • $29,575net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance68%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Smith College
Connect Me
S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,830enrollment
  • $27,823net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1408-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance17%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Olin College of Engineering
Connect Me
O
Needham, MA

Olin College of Engineering

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.9 Average GPA

 

  • 402enrollment
  • $40,370net price
  • 22%acceptance rate
  • 1480-1560SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance22%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Mount Holyoke College
Connect Me
M
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $35,782net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
United States Coast Guard Academy
Connect Me
C
New London, Connecticut

United States Coast Guard Academy

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

 

  • 1,081enrollment
  • -net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1380SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance29%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Messiah College
Connect Me
M
Grantham, PA

Messiah College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#28 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 3,344enrollment
  • $29,882net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1340SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance82%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Connect Me
A
Albany, NY

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

 

  • 875enrollment
  • $26,804net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1380SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance67%

Applications Due Jul 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Canisius College
Connect Me
C
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#40 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 2,545enrollment
  • $19,321net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance88%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Chatham University
Connect Me
C
Pittsburgh, PA

Chatham University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.86 Average GPA

#27 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,319enrollment
  • $29,051net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1290SAT range
  • 23-27ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance72%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Lebanon Valley College
Connect Me
L
Annville, PA

Lebanon Valley College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

#26 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 2,142enrollment
  • $28,640net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1093-1300SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance80%

Compare Calculate my chances 
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Connect Me
O
Syracuse, NY

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,737enrollment
  • $19,644net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Connecticut College
Connect Me
C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,995enrollment
  • $42,941net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1470SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance50%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Connect Me
C
New York, NY

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

 

  • 983enrollment
  • $28,199net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1520SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance25%

Applications Due Jan 8

Compare Calculate my chances