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 / 7.0% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 5.6% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 7.8% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 7.5% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 5.7% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 8.7% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 4.9% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 4.4% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 4.4% 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 525 target schools (good chance), 138 reach (harder) schools and 4,500 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

McMurry University
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M
Abilene, TX

McMurry University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#18 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,237enrollment
  • $18,757net price
  • 57%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Aug 15

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Aug 1

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SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
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O
Syracuse, NY

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#5 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 1,976enrollment
  • $20,928net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1300SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Feb 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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance64%

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Augustana University
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A
Sioux Falls, SD

Augustana University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in South Dakota

  • 2,086enrollment
  • $23,843net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1110-1325SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance77%

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Linfield University
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L
McMinnville, OR

Linfield University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Oregon

  • 1,754enrollment
  • $31,585net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1210SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance94%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Connecticut College
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C
New London, CT

Connecticut College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Connecticut

  • 1,948enrollment
  • $43,220net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1490SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Jan 1

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance82%

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Oklahoma City University
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O
Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.77 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Oklahoma

  • 2,550enrollment
  • $25,235net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1233SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance80%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance62%

Applications Due Aug 1

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Colorado Christian University
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C
Lakewood, CO

Colorado Christian University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

 

  • 8,964enrollment
  • $23,313net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA

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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance95%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
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C
New York, NY

Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

 

  • 958enrollment
  • $26,194net price
  • 22%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1530SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance34%

Applications Due Jan 8

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Lubbock Christian University
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L
Lubbock, TX

Lubbock Christian University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#17 Best Private Colleges in Texas

  • 1,596enrollment
  • $23,551net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 940-1190SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Jun 1

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance99%

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The University of Findlay
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F
Findlay, OH

The University of Findlay

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#18 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 4,869enrollment
  • $24,069net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1213SAT range
  • 19-26ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance93%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance83%

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