Southeastern Colleges for a 3.9 GPA

Southeastern 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 Southeastern colleges like University of Florida, Florida State University and Clemson University. Based on incoming freshman GPA data for Southeastern schools, our analysis indicates that 86 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 Southeast Public Private 4 year

86 results

List of 3.9 GPA Colleges

Displaying 86 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 243 target schools (good chance), 18 reach (harder) schools and 1,119 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 10,301enrollment
  • $38,983net price
  • 65%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1340SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance66%

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,360enrollment
  • $25,359net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1290SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jul 15

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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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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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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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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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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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Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,682enrollment
  • $31,803net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1270SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due May 1

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University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,757enrollment
  • $21,863net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1340SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance91%

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,281enrollment
  • $27,324net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance66%

Applications Due May 1

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Wofford College
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W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,823enrollment
  • $31,192net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1353SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,123enrollment
  • $19,756net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1320SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance94%

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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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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Harding University
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H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,805enrollment
  • $19,558net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1300SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance56%

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,104enrollment
  • $11,251net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1115-1350SAT range
  • 22-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Mar 15

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,712enrollment
  • $17,008net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 980-1195SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance65%

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 4,704enrollment
  • $27,937net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance79%

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