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. Hint: Filter by admission chance for 525 target schools (good chance), 138 reach (harder) schools and 4,500 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Juniata College
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J
Huntingdon, PA

Juniata College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.81 Average GPA

#24 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,212enrollment
  • $29,926net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1120-1340SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance83%

Applications Due Mar 15

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Seton Hill University
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S
Greensburg, PA

Seton Hill University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#46 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 1,988enrollment
  • $24,576net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1240SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due Aug 15

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Franciscan University of Steubenville
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F
Steubenville, OH

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.78 Average GPA

#16 Best Private Colleges in Ohio

  • 3,656enrollment
  • $25,310net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 22-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance77%

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Thomas Aquinas College
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T
Santa Paula, CA

Thomas Aquinas College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

 

  • 516enrollment
  • $24,217net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 27-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance90%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance69%

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SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome
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S
Utica, NY

SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica Rome

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#8 Best Public Universities in New York

  • 2,842enrollment
  • $13,799net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1400SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Aug 1

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The King's College
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K
New York, NY

The King's College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

 

  • 326enrollment
  • $34,192net price
  • 45%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1340SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance61%

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College of Saint Benedict
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S
Saint Joseph, MN

College of Saint Benedict

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#8 Best Private Colleges in Minnesota

  • 1,470enrollment
  • $28,746net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1055-1245SAT range
  • 20-27ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance93%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance99%

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The Master's College and Seminary
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M
Santa Clarita, CA

The Master's College and Seminary

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

 

  • 2,606enrollment
  • $30,783net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance85%

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Nebraska Wesleyan University
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N
Lincoln, NE

Nebraska Wesleyan University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Nebraska

  • 1,688enrollment
  • $25,201net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1240SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance90%

Applications Due Aug 15

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance95%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance51%

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University of Sioux Falls
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S
Sioux Falls, SD
 

University of Sioux Falls

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

 

  • 1,594enrollment
  • $20,957net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance84%

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St John's College
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S
Santa Fe, NM

St John's College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

 

  • 439enrollment
  • $29,265net price
  • 54%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1460SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance68%

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Jewish Theological Seminary of America
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J
New York, NY

Jewish Theological Seminary of America

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

 

  • 318enrollment
  • $61,379net price
  • 51%acceptance rate
  • 1466-1538SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance68%

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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 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance43%

Applications Due Jul 31

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Holy Apostles College and Seminary
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H
Cromwell, CT
 

Holy Apostles College and Seminary

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

 

  • 719enrollment
  • $13,418net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA

Applications Due Jul 22

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