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.

Transylvania University
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T
Lexington, KY

Transylvania University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.77 Average GPA

 

  • 979enrollment
  • $25,767net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1360SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance93%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Union University
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U
Jackson, TN

Union University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,731enrollment
  • $28,585net price
  • 53%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1370SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance59%

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Hollins University
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H
Roanoke, VA

Hollins University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

 

  • 803enrollment
  • $21,207net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1113-1298SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance78%

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Converse College
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C
Spartanburg, SC

Converse College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.89 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,284enrollment
  • $19,653net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1235SAT range
  • 21-26ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Aug 1

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University of Central Arkansas
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C
Conway, AR

University of Central Arkansas

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Arkansas

  • 9,913enrollment
  • $15,456net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 940-1130SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance94%

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Washington College
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W
Chestertown, MD

Washington College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

 

  • 955enrollment
  • $31,650net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1390SAT range
  • 25-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance82%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Eastern Mennonite University
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E
Harrisonburg, VA

Eastern Mennonite University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#3 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 1,334enrollment
  • $23,783net price
  • 99%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1590SAT range
  • 25-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance99%

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Ouachita Baptist University
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O
Arkadelphia, AR

Ouachita Baptist University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#3 Best Value Colleges in Arkansas

  • 1,784enrollment
  • $21,677net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance80%

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John Brown University
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J
Siloam Springs, AR

John Brown University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.77 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Arkansas

  • 2,326enrollment
  • $20,997net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1390SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance64%

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Spalding University
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S
Louisville, KY

Spalding University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Kentucky

  • 1,532enrollment
  • $26,539net price
  • 98%acceptance rate
  • 858-1105SAT range
  • 16-22ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance98%

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Freed Hardeman University
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F
Henderson, TN
 

Freed Hardeman University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#17 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $18,556net price
  • 91%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance94%

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Southern Wesleyan University
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S
Central, SC
 

Southern Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,175enrollment
  • $17,639net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1013-1160SAT range
  • 19-23ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance45%

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O'More College of Design
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O
Franklin, TN

O'More College of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.78 Average GPA

 

  • 157enrollment
  • $26,987net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • 18-22ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance37%

Applications Due Jul 31

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Patrick Henry College
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P
Purcellville, Virginia
 

Patrick Henry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

 

  • 409enrollment
  • $26,095net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1233-1440SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Jul 15

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