Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

What colleges will accept a 3.5 grade point average?

Is a 3.5 good in high school?

Yes, a 3.5 is well above the the average U.S. high school GPA of 3.0 and demonstrates that you are a serious A level student, well prepared for many top colleges and universities. There are many large four-year colleges to choose from where a 3.5 is well within the typical GPA range of accepted students and you will find yourself a strong applicant. While a 3.5 is low for highly selective colleges, it offers you a chance at many of the more selective schools in the U.S.

What colleges can I get into?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 3.5 places you within of the academic range at colleges like The University of Texas at Austin, University of Miami and Arizona State University. CollegeSimply has analyzed the incoming freshman grade point averages for a large portion of U.S. schools and selected 1,034 colleges where students have a competitive chance of getting in with a 3.5. Below are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in the 3.5 range plus or minus .3 grade points. Scroll down further to sort and filter the full list and see your admission chances at each school.

Can I raise my 3.5 GPA?

  • High School Freshmen
    If you completed freshman year with a 3.5, you have plenty of time to change your GPA. The maximum unweighted GPA you can achieve by the end of first semester senior year when you need to apply to colleges is a 3.86 - if you get straight A's from here on out.
  • High School Sophomores
    By the end of sophomore year, more than half of the grades you will report on your college application are set in stone. With a 3.5 you are on the path to be able to apply to and get into many colleges. If you finish sophomore year with a 3.5, the maximum unweighted GPA you can achieve by the end of first semester senior year is 3.71. This is only possible if you get straight A's.
  • High School Juniors
    After junior year, you only have one semester to possibly raise your grades before most college applications are due by January. A 3.5 will allow you to get into many highly rated colleges. The highest unweighted GPA you can achieve by the end of first semester senior year is 3.57.

What is a 3.5 GPA?

A 3.5 is equal to a 90% on the standard U.S. high school unweighted 4.0 scale. The letter grade equivalent of a 3.5 is a B+ average.
Schools By Region
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GPA 3.5 Public Private 4 year

1,034 results nationwide

List of 3.5 GPA Colleges

Displaying 1,034 colleges where your 3.5 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 2,895 target schools (good chance), 402 reach (harder) schools and 1,674 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

The University of Texas at Austin
T
Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.8 Estimated Average GPA

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 50,476enrollment
  • $16,892net price
  • 32%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1470SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Dec 1

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University of Miami
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M
Coral Gables, FL
University of Miami

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

3.6 Average Weighted GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in Florida

  • 17,809enrollment
  • $31,726net price
  • 33%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance28%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Arizona State University
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A
Tempe, AZ
Arizona State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

3.52 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Arizona

  • 74,795enrollment
  • $14,653net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1320SAT range
  • 21-28ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due May 1

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Penn State Main Campus
P
University Park, PA
Penn State Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.68 Estimated Average GPA

#2 Best Public Universities in Pennsylvania

  • 46,810enrollment
  • $25,548net price
  • 78%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1300SAT range
  • 24-29ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance70%

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New York University
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N
New York, NY
New York University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.71 Average GPA

#6 Best Private Colleges in New York

  • 52,775enrollment
  • $45,417net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1540SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance14%

Applications Due Jan 1

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Michigan State University
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S
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in Michigan

  • 49,695enrollment
  • $16,655net price
  • 76%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1300SAT range
  • 23-29ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance64%

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Boston University
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B
Boston, MA
Boston University

Private 4 Year

9 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 32,718enrollment
  • $29,154net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1310-1500SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance12%

Applications Due Jan 2

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Ohio State University
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O
Columbus, OH
Ohio State University

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

3.76 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 61,369enrollment
  • $18,884net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1430SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance54%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of California Irvine
C
Irvine, CA
University of California Irvine

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.75 Estimated Average Weighted GPA

#10 Best Public Universities in America

  • 36,303enrollment
  • $13,106net price
  • 30%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1430SAT range
  • 26-33ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Nov 30

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Baylor University
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B
Waco, TX
Baylor University

Private 4 Year

13 reviews

3.74 Estimated Average GPA

 

  • 19,297enrollment
  • $40,133net price
  • 68%acceptance rate
  • -SAT range
  • -ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance55%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Washington Seattle Campus
W
Seattle, WA
University of Washington Seattle Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.79 Average GPA

#8 Best Public Universities in America

  • 48,149enrollment
  • $9,661net price
  • 56%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1453SAT range
  • 27-33ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance39%

Applications Due Dec 1

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University of Kentucky
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K
Lexington, KY
University of Kentucky

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

3.56 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Kentucky

  • 29,986enrollment
  • $19,831net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance95%

Applications Due Feb 15

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Purdue University Main Campus
P
West Lafayette, IN
Purdue University Main Campus

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.67 Average GPA

#16 Best Public Universities in America

  • 46,655enrollment
  • $12,294net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1420SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Mar 1

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Texas A & M University College Station
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T
College Station, TX
Texas A & M University College Station

Public 4 Year

5 reviews

3.68 Estimated Average GPA

#18 Best Public Universities in America

  • 70,418enrollment
  • $19,906net price
  • 63%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1380SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance53%

Applications Due Dec 1

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East Carolina University
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E
Greenville, NC
East Carolina University

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.33 Average GPA

#8 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 28,798enrollment
  • $15,403net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1170SAT range
  • 19-24ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance92%

Applications Due Apr 15

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University of Hawaii at Manoa
H
Honolulu, HI
University of Hawaii at Manoa

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.64 Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Hawaii

  • 18,025enrollment
  • $15,193net price
  • 84%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1280SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Feb 1

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University of Arizona
A
Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.43 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Arizona

  • 45,601enrollment
  • $15,620net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1350SAT range
  • 21-29ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance87%

Applications Due May 1

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Kennesaw State University
K
Kennesaw, Georgia
Kennesaw State University

Public 4 Year

18 reviews

3.33 Estimated Average GPA

 

  • 24,176enrollment
  • $15,451net price
  • 62%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1250SAT range
  • 21-24ACT range
Your 3.5 GPA
Admission Chance71%

Applications Due Mar 1

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