Southwestern Colleges for a 3.5 GPA

With a 3.5 GPA, you are competitive at 123 four-year colleges in the Southwest (56 target, 13 reach, 54 safety). A 3.5 is typically a A- (~88%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in the Southwest 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
Arizona State University Tempe, AZ	3.54	90%	Medium
Texas A&M University College Station College Station, TX	3.68	57%	Medium
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ	3.48	86%	Medium
Texas State University San Marcos, TX	3.38	89%	Medium
University of Houston Houston, TX	3.46	74%	Medium
University of North Texas Denton, TX	3.46	72%	Medium
Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX	3.68	44%	Medium
Southern Methodist University Dallas, TX	3.68	63%	Medium
The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX	3.43	80%	Medium
The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TX	3.36	87%	Medium
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK	3.66	77%	Medium
Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZ	3.7	90%	Medium

View all 56 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
The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX	3.8	27%	Low
Baylor University Waco, TX	3.74	51%	Low
Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX	3.76	73%	Low
Rice University Houston, TX	3.96	8%	Low
The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TX	3.78	65%	Low
University of Dallas Irving, TX	3.9	53%	Low
University of Tulsa Tulsa, OK	3.97	62%	Low
Angelo State University San Angelo, TX	3.71	83%	Low
Texas Lutheran University Seguin, TX	3.9	96%	Low
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Prescott Prescott, AZ	3.82	77%	Low
Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City, OK	3.77	77%	Low
Lubbock Christian University Lubbock, TX	3.71	73%	Low

View all 13 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
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, TX	3.25	90%	High
Texas Southern University Houston, TX	3.0	97%	High
Stephen F Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX	3.26	94%	High
Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX	3.21	90%	High
Texas Woman's University Denton, TX	3.24	96%	High
University of Houston Downtown Houston, TX	3.29	90%	High
Midwestern State University Wichita Falls, TX	3.2	94%	High
Paul Quinn College Dallas, TX	2.6	40%	High
The University of Texas at El Paso El Paso, TX	3.3	100%	High
South Texas College McAllen, TX	-	100%	High
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TX	3.16	94%	High
Arlington Baptist University Arlington, TX	-	100%	High

View all 54 safety colleges

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

See all colleges nationally for a 3.5 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026