Massachusetts Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 65 four-year colleges in Massachusetts (25 target, 19 reach, 21 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in Massachusetts for a 3.5 GPA

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have average GPAs near 3.5 - your grades fit squarely in the admitted pool.

College	Avg GPA	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Endicott College Beverly, MA	3.55	71%	Medium
University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell, MA	3.67	83%	Medium
Merrimack College North Andover, MA	3.3	70%	Medium
Assumption University Worcester, MA	3.45	83%	Medium
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth North Dartmouth, MA	3.37	91%	Medium
Westfield State University Westfield, MA	3.3	81%	Medium
University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, MA	3.35	84%	Medium
Suffolk University Boston, MA	3.33	82%	Medium
Worcester State University Worcester, MA	3.3	88%	Medium
Stonehill College Easton, MA	3.32	66%	Medium
Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, MA	3.39	91%	Medium
Clark University Worcester, MA	3.69	40%	Medium

View all 25 target colleges

Reach Schools (Lower Admission Chance)

Reach schools typically enroll students with higher average GPAs; admission is possible but more competitive.

College	Avg GPA	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Harvard University Cambridge, MA	4.0	4%	Low
Boston University Boston, MA	3.79	11%	Low
Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA	3.86	16%	Low
University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA	3.99	60%	Low
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA	3.96	5%	Low
Northeastern University Boston, MA	3.91	5%	Low
Tufts University Medford, MA	3.91	11%	Low
Emerson College Boston, MA	3.73	51%	Low
Babson College Wellesley, MA	3.79	17%	Low
Amherst College Amherst, MA	3.91	9%	Low
Bentley University Waltham, MA	3.75	45%	Low
Brandeis University Waltham, MA	3.84	40%	Low

View all 19 reach colleges

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average GPAs well below 3.5; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	Avg GPA	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Bridgewater State University Bridgewater, MA	3.21	88%	High
Dean College Franklin, MA	2.88	74%	High
Salem State University Salem, MA	3.17	96%	High
Framingham State University Framingham, MA	3.07	84%	High
Curry College Milton, MA	3.01	88%	High
Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA	3.29	87%	High
American International College Springfield, MA	2.91	100%	High
Nichols College Dudley, MA	2.9	81%	High
Fisher College Boston, MA	2.72	71%	High
Lasell University Newton, MA	3.12	81%	High
Cambridge College Boston, MA	-	100%	High
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA	3.25	95%	High

View all 21 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.5 GPA in Massachusetts

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026