Minnesota Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 31 four-year colleges in Minnesota (20 target, 4 reach, 7 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in Minnesota 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
University of Minnesota Duluth Duluth, MN	3.51	89%	Medium
Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN	3.4	95%	Medium
St Olaf College Northfield, MN	3.68	48%	Medium
University of St Thomas Saint Paul, MN	3.63	85%	Medium
Minnesota State University Mankato Mankato, MN	3.37	88%	Medium
Hamline University Saint Paul, MN	3.48	88%	Medium
Winona State University Winona, MN	3.44	75%	Medium
University of Minnesota Morris Morris, MN	3.54	75%	Medium
Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, MN	3.69	61%	Medium
Saint Johns University Collegeville, MN	3.51	91%	Medium
St Catherine University Saint Paul, MN	3.62	92%	Medium
Bethel University Saint Paul, MN	3.6	88%	Medium

View all 20 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
University of Minnesota Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN	3.75	80%	Low
Carleton College Northfield, MN	3.9	20%	Low
Macalester College Saint Paul, MN	3.81	29%	Low
College of Saint Benedict Saint Joseph, MN	3.72	92%	Low

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
Augsburg University Minneapolis, MN	3.27	82%	High
Dunwoody College of Technology Minneapolis, MN	2.83	99%	High
Concordia University Saint Paul Saint Paul, MN	3.14	79%	High
University of Minnesota Crookston Crookston, MN	3.28	88%	High
Oak Hills Christian College Bemidji, MN	3.07	100%	High
Northwestern Health Sciences University Bloomington, MN	-	100%	High
Bethlehem College & Seminary Minneapolis, Minnesota	-	100%	High

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

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026