Southeastern Colleges for a 4.0 GPA

Southeastern 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 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 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 Southeast Public Private 4 year

86 results

List of 4.0 GPA Colleges

Displaying 86 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 171 target schools (good chance), 18 reach (harder) schools and 1,200 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach
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E
Daytona Beach, FL

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 11,070enrollment
  • $41,550net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1350SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance72%

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Berry College
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B
Mount Berry, GA

Berry College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Georgia

  • 2,370enrollment
  • $25,383net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1278SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance70%

Applications Due Jul 15

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United States Naval Academy
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N
Annapolis, Maryland

United States Naval Academy

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.8 Estimated Average GPA

 

  • 4,465enrollment
  • -net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1420SAT range
  • 24-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance14%

Applications Due Jan 31

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Florida Institute of Technology
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F
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.72 Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 8,516enrollment
  • $36,364net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1320SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance77%

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Eckerd College
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E
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 1,986enrollment
  • $40,122net price
  • 79%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1336SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance86%

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University of Maryland Baltimore County
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M
Baltimore, MD

University of Maryland Baltimore County

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.97 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 14,148enrollment
  • $17,704net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1220-1410SAT range
  • 23-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance75%

Applications Due Feb 1

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Washington and Lee University
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W
Lexington, VA

Washington and Lee University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.87 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

  • 2,277enrollment
  • $24,667net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1530SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance22%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Samford University
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S
Birmingham, AL

Samford University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.84 Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Alabama

  • 5,791enrollment
  • $32,176net price
  • 82%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due May 1

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University of Mary Washington
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M
Fredericksburg, VA

University of Mary Washington

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in Virginia

  • 3,808enrollment
  • $21,615net price
  • 86%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance92%

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Florida Southern College
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F
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#3 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 3,194enrollment
  • $30,462net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1310SAT range
  • 25-30ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance73%

Applications Due May 1

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Wofford College
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W
Spartanburg, SC

Wofford College

Private 4 Year

8 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in South Carolina

  • 1,873enrollment
  • $31,061net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1350SAT range
  • 27-31ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance74%

Applications Due Jan 15

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Salisbury University
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S
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in Maryland

  • 7,030enrollment
  • $17,931net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1310SAT range
  • 26-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance94%

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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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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Harding University
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H
Searcy, AR

Harding University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Arkansas

  • 4,608enrollment
  • $21,069net price
  • 100%acceptance rate
  • 1050-1280SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance99%

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University of North Carolina School of the Arts
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N
Winston-Salem, NC

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.75 Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 1,074enrollment
  • $11,163net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1350SAT range
  • 24-27ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance47%

Applications Due Mar 15

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Winthrop University
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W
Rock Hill, SC

Winthrop University

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#5 Best Public Universities in South Carolina

  • 4,694enrollment
  • $16,838net price
  • 75%acceptance rate
  • 1010-1220SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance75%

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Lipscomb University
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L
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.73 Average GPA

#5 Best Private Colleges in Tennessee

  • 5,047enrollment
  • $27,386net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1145-1350SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 4.0 GPA
Admission Chance79%

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