New England Colleges for a 4.0 GPA

New England 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 New England colleges like Harvard University, Boston University and Yale University. Based on incoming freshman GPA data for New England schools, our analysis indicates that 31 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)

View Colleges

Change GPA

Explore colleges for other GPAs

-1 +1
GPA 4.0 New England Public Private 4 year

31 results

List of 4.0 GPA Colleges

Displaying 31 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 51 target schools (good chance), 39 reach (harder) schools and 318 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Harvard University
Connect Me
H
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#4 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,631enrollment
  • $19,491net price
  • 3%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance3%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Boston University
Connect Me
B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,714enrollment
  • $27,829net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance21%

Applications Due Jan 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
Yale University
Connect Me
Y
New Haven, CT

Yale University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.95 Estimated Average GPA

#6 Best Colleges in America

  • 14,776enrollment
  • $18,647net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
Boston College
Connect Me
B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.86 Estimated Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,287enrollment
  • $30,559net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1435-1540SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance22%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Brown University
Connect Me
B
Providence, RI

Brown University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.94 Estimated Average GPA

#11 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,189enrollment
  • $26,723net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 5

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Connect Me
M
Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.99 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 32,229enrollment
  • $22,291net price
  • 64%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance65%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Connect Me
M
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.96 Estimated Average GPA

#8 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,858enrollment
  • $20,232net price
  • 4%acceptance rate
  • 1530-1580SAT range
  • 35-36ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance4%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northeastern University
Connect Me
N
Boston, MA

Northeastern University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

3.91 Estimated Average GPA

#16 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 30,013enrollment
  • $35,827net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance9%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Dartmouth College
Connect Me
D
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.9 Estimated Average GPA

#12 Best Colleges in America

  • 6,744enrollment
  • $19,208net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Tufts University
Connect Me
T
Medford, MA

Tufts University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.91 Estimated Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 13,431enrollment
  • $30,479net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance12%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Connecticut
Connect Me
C
Storrs, CT

University of Connecticut

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.74 Estimated Average GPA

#12 Best Public Universities in America

  • 27,003enrollment
  • $23,985net price
  • 55%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1440SAT range
  • 28-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance69%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rhode Island School of Design
Connect Me
R
Providence, RI

Rhode Island School of Design

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.71 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in Rhode Island

  • 2,620enrollment
  • $39,800net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1525SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance29%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emerson College
Connect Me
E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,891enrollment
  • $51,432net price
  • 43%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1430SAT range
  • 30-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance59%

Applications Due Feb 20

Compare Calculate my chances 
Babson College
Connect Me
B
Wellesley, MA

Babson College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.79 Estimated Average GPA

#15 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,989enrollment
  • $28,400net price
  • 22%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1510SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Jan 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
Amherst College
Connect Me
A
Amherst, MA

Amherst College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.91 Estimated Average GPA

#16 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,898enrollment
  • $21,367net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance9%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
Bentley University
Connect Me
B
Waltham, MA

Bentley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Estimated Average GPA

#14 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,165enrollment
  • $44,233net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1258-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Brandeis University
Connect Me
B
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,581enrollment
  • $45,565net price
  • 39%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance48%

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Vermont
Connect Me
V
Burlington, VT

University of Vermont

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Vermont

  • 14,088enrollment
  • $21,849net price
  • 60%acceptance rate
  • 1260-1430SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances