North Carolina Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 53 four-year colleges in North Carolina (23 target, 7 reach, 23 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in North Carolina 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
East Carolina University Greenville, NC	3.33	89%	Medium
Elon University Elon, NC	3.65	66%	Medium
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC	3.57	80%	Medium
Western Carolina University Cullowhee, NC	3.44	82%	Medium
North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC	3.61	50%	Medium
University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC	3.56	64%	Medium
Wingate University Wingate, NC	3.33	91%	Medium
Campbell University Buies Creek, NC	3.52	87%	Medium
University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NC	3.59	89%	Medium
Queens University of Charlotte Charlotte, NC	3.41	62%	Medium
University of North Carolina Asheville Asheville, NC	3.49	92%	Medium
Catawba College Salisbury, NC	3.64	75%	Medium

View all 23 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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC	3.83	15%	Low
Duke University Durham, NC	3.94	6%	Low
North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC	3.83	42%	Low
Appalachian State University Boone, NC	3.96	90%	Low
Davidson College Davidson, NC	3.81	13%	Low
University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NC	3.75	30%	Low
Gardner Webb University Boiling Springs, NC	3.74	77%	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
North Carolina Central University Durham, NC	3.27	87%	High
Winston Salem State University Winston-Salem, NC	3.01	78%	High
Shaw University Raleigh, NC	2.6	80%	High
Fayetteville State University Fayetteville, NC	3.11	82%	High
Saint Augustine's University Raleigh, NC	2.5	34%	High
Johnson C Smith University Charlotte, NC	2.48	45%	High
St. Andrews University Laurinburg, NC	3.13	100%	High
Guilford College Greensboro, NC	3.14	80%	High
Barton College Wilson, NC	3.25	94%	High
Chowan University Murfreesboro, NC	2.89	69%	High
Pfeiffer University Misenheimer, NC	3.18	96%	High
Montreat College Montreat, NC	3.07	69%	High

View all 23 safety colleges

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

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026