Colleges for a 3.8 GPA

What colleges will accept a 3.8 grade point average?

What colleges can I get into?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 3.8 places you within of the academic range at colleges like Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Florida. CollegeSimply has analyzed the incoming freshman grade point averages for a large portion of U.S. schools and selected 390 colleges where students have a competitive chance of getting in with a 3.8. Below are some of the top ranked colleges which have historically accepted students in the 3.8 range plus or minus .2 grade points (4.0 to 3.6). Scroll down further to sort and filter the full list and see your admission chances at each school.

Is a 3.8 good in high school?

A 3.8 is very close of the highest possible unweighted GPA. It reflects that you've earned mostly A's with a few B's throughout your high school career. This puts you in a strong position to for application and possible acceptance at the many selective colleges. If you can score well on the SAT and ACT you'll have a competitive chance to be accepted at the colleges on this list.

Can I raise my 3.8 GPA?

  • High School Freshmen
    If you completed freshman year with a 3.8, 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 3.94 - 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 3.8 you are on the path to be able to apply to and get into many colleges. If you finish sophomore year with a 3.8, the maximum unweighted GPA you can achieve by the end of first semester senior year is 3.89. 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 3.8 will allow you to get into many very competitive colleges. The highest unweighted GPA you can achieve by the end of first semester senior year is 3.83.

What is a 3.8 GPA?

A 3.8 is equal to a 91% on the standard U.S. high school unweighted 4.0 scale. The letter grade equivalent of a 3.8 is an A- average.
Schools By Region
Change GPA
-1 +1
GPA 3.8 Public Private 4 year

390 results nationwide

List of 3.8 GPA Colleges

Displaying 390 colleges where your 3.8 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 1,086 target schools (good chance), 156 reach (harder) schools and 3,492 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Harvard University
H
Cambridge, MA
Harvard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#1 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,391enrollment
  • $18,037net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1580SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance3%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Stanford University
Connect Me
S
Stanford, CA
Stanford University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

3.96 Average GPA

#3 Best Colleges in America

  • 15,953enrollment
  • $20,023net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1420-1570SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance3%

Applications Due Jan 3

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Florida
Connect Me
F
Gainesville, FL
University of Florida

Public 4 Year

6 reviews

3.88 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in America

  • 53,372enrollment
  • $10,075net price
  • 31%acceptance rate
  • 1290-1460SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance27%

Applications Due Nov 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Dec 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Michigan
Connect Me
M
Ann Arbor, MI
University of Michigan

Public 4 Year

4 reviews

3.87 Average GPA

#15 Best Value Colleges in America

  • 47,907enrollment
  • $17,832net price
  • 26%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1520SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance23%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California Los Angeles
Connect Me
C
Los Angeles, CA
University of California Los Angeles

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.9 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in America

  • 44,589enrollment
  • $16,474net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1530SAT range
  • 29-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance11%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Southern California
Connect Me
S
Los Angeles, CA
University of Southern California

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.83 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 46,287enrollment
  • $39,759net price
  • 16%acceptance rate
  • 1340-1530SAT range
  • 30-34ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance15%

Applications Due Jan 10

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Miami
Connect Me
M
Coral Gables, FL
University of Miami

Private 4 Year

14 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 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance44%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
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 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance82%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Virginia Tech
Connect Me
V
Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Tech

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.96 Average GPA

#24 Best Public Universities in America

  • 37,024enrollment
  • $20,247net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1370SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance57%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
New York University
Connect Me
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 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance25%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Duke University
D
Durham, NC
Duke University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.94 Estimated Average GPA

#5 Best Colleges in America

  • 16,172enrollment
  • $26,932net price
  • 8%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance6%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
Vanderbilt University
V
Nashville, TN
Vanderbilt University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.86 Average GPA

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 13,537enrollment
  • $25,804net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance11%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Princeton University
Connect Me
P
Princeton, NJ
Princeton University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.92 Average GPA

#2 Best Colleges in America

  • 7,853enrollment
  • $18,685net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1570SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance5%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Michigan State University
Connect Me
S
East Lansing, MI
Michigan State University

Public 4 Year

5 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 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance78%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Johns Hopkins University
J
Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.92 Average GPA

#10 Best Colleges in America

  • 28,890enrollment
  • $25,241net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1560SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance9%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
The University of Alabama
A
Tuscaloosa, AL
The University of Alabama

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

3.82 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Alabama

  • 37,840enrollment
  • $20,518net price
  • 80%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1330SAT range
  • 23-31ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance79%

Applications Due Apr 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
San Diego State University
S
San Diego, CA
San Diego State University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.81 Average Weighted GPA

#10 Best Public Universities in California

  • 36,334enrollment
  • $13,192net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1300SAT range
  • 22-29ACT range
Your 3.8 GPA
Admission Chance36%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances