Colleges for a 4.0 GPA

colleges that accept a 4.0 grade point average

What is a 4.0 GPA?

A 4.0 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 4.0 GPA indicates you averaged A/A+ grades in your classes and delivered perfect performance. The percent equivalent of a 4.0 grade point average is 93-100% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 93-100% on tests and assignments. At most high schools and colleges, an A or A+ are both worth 4.0 grade points. A student with a 4.0 may have a mix of A+'s or A's. Any grade below an A, including an A-, will result in not achieving a 4.0. Learn more about what the A/A+ letter grade signifies.

Is a 4.0 GPA good?

A 4.0 is the highest possible GPA on the unweighted 4.0 scale and is far above the national high school average of 3.0. It indicates you've achieved straight A's throughout your high school career. Earning a 4.0 demonstrates exceptional academic performance an mastery of all of the classes you've taken. This outstanding achievement reflects a strong work ethic, dedication, and mastery of the subject matter. A 4.0 puts you in an excellent position for acceptance at the most selective colleges in the U.S including the Ivy League. A 4.0 GPA is also highly beneficial towards you chances in receiving a merit based scholarship.

What colleges can I get into with a 4.0 GPA?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 4.0 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 4.0 GPA competitive. The most popular colleges, historically accepting students with GPAs within the range of 3.8 to 4.2 (4.0 +/- 0.2), are listed below. To view your chances of admission at each school, scroll down and explore the full list.

What is a perfect 4.0 GPA?

A 4.0 is considered "perfect" as it can only be earned if you earn all A's or A+'s in every class you take. If you get any A-'s or lower grades your GPA will drop below a 4.0 and can never be recovered to a 4.0. You cannot have a 4.0 with any B grades. This is true for the unweighted 4.0 grade scale. If using a weighted scale, it's possible to get a B+ in an AP class and still have a 4.0.

4.0 for Harvard and Ivy League

A 4.0 unweighted can definitely get you into Harvard or any Ivy League school. 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 intense that even a 4.0 usually doesn't cut it.

Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 4.0 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.

  • Harvard - 4.0 average GPA / 3.0% chance
  • Princeton - 3.93 average GPA / 4.7% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 5.6% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 6.7% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 7.5% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 5.7% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 9.9% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 4.9% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 4.4% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 5.5% chance
  • Caltech - 3.97 average GPA / 3.2% 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 4.0 GPA is typically eligible for the summa cum laude distinction.

Demographic Statistics

Let's examine how a 4.0 GPA stacks up to the national high school averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 4.0 is 1 points (33%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 4.0 is 0.8 points (24%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 4.0 is 0.8 points (24%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 4.0 is 1.2 points (41%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 4.0 is 1 points (36%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 4.0 is 0.6 points (18%) 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)

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GPA 4.0 Public Private 4 year

294 results nationwide

List of 4.0 GPA Colleges

Displaying 294 colleges where your 4.0 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 510 target schools (good chance), 144 reach (harder) schools and 4,401 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Middlebury College
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M
Middlebury, VT

Middlebury College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#25 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 2,857enrollment
  • $22,912net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance13%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Claremont McKenna College
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C
Claremont, CA

Claremont McKenna College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#17 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,384enrollment
  • $29,978net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance14%

Applications Due Jan 5

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Scripps College
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S
Claremont, CA

Scripps College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 1,103enrollment
  • $45,505net price
  • 34%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1530SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance34%

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 Value in Louisiana

  • 3,181enrollment
  • $17,874net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 953-1138SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance85%

Applications Due Jul 1

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Valparaiso University
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V
Valparaiso, IN

Valparaiso University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#9 Best Private Colleges in Indiana

  • 2,846enrollment
  • $23,168net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance95%

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Angelo State University
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A
San Angelo, TX

Angelo State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#22 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 11,250enrollment
  • $12,518net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 920-1140SAT range
  • 17-24ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance88%

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Denison University
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D
Granville, OH

Denison University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.76 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,405enrollment
  • $42,177net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1470SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance26%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Grinnell College
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G
Grinnell, IA

Grinnell College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Iowa

  • 1,775enrollment
  • $33,446net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1418-1550SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance16%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Hamilton College
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H
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.87 Estimated Average GPA

#25 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,048enrollment
  • $26,021net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance16%

Applications Due Jan 5

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Kenyon College
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K
Gambier, OH

Kenyon College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.84 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in Ohio

  • 2,184enrollment
  • $44,470net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance40%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Stevens Institute of Technology
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S
Hoboken, NJ

Stevens Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in New Jersey

  • 8,842enrollment
  • $43,665net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance50%

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Michigan Technological University
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M
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.78 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Michigan

  • 7,313enrollment
  • $17,928net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1330SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance92%

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DePauw University
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D
Greencastle, IN

DePauw University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in Indiana

  • 1,819enrollment
  • $30,507net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1430SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance56%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Hope College
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H
Holland, MI

Hope College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

#3 Best Private Colleges in Michigan

  • 3,368enrollment
  • $28,643net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1310SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance83%

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SUNY at Geneseo
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G
Geneseo, NY

SUNY at Geneseo

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 3,928enrollment
  • $18,698net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1380SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Lewis & Clark College
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L
Portland, OR

Lewis & Clark College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.95 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Oregon

  • 3,526enrollment
  • $38,247net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1390SAT range
  • 28-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance77%

Applications Due Jan 15

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California Lutheran University
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C
Thousand Oaks, CA

California Lutheran University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#21 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 3,413enrollment
  • $27,080net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1134-1320SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Jan 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

  • 1,952enrollment
  • $30,590net price
  • 50%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1490SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance51%

Applications Due Jan 15

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