Pennsylvania Colleges for a 3.8 GPA

With a 3.8 GPA, you are competitive at 93 four-year colleges in Pennsylvania (21 target, 4 reach, 68 safety). A 3.8 is typically a A- (~91%) on a common grading scale.

Colleges in Pennsylvania for a 3.8 GPA

Target Schools (Competitive Chance of Admission)

Target schools have average GPAs near 3.8 - your grades fit squarely in the admitted pool.

College	Avg GPA	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Villanova University Villanova, PA	3.87	27%	Medium
University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA	3.79	58%	Medium
Drexel University Philadelphia, PA	3.67	79%	Medium
Bucknell University Lewisburg, PA	3.62	29%	Medium
Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA	3.81	26%	Medium
Duquesne University Pittsburgh, PA	3.8	84%	Medium
Saint Joseph's University Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA	3.65	89%	Medium
Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA	3.85	29%	Medium
Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, PA	3.67	81%	Medium
Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA	3.8	79%	Medium
Chatham University Pittsburgh, PA	3.86	62%	Medium
Saint Francis University Loretto, PA	3.69	77%	Medium

View all 21 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 Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA	3.95	5%	Low
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA	3.89	12%	Low
Swarthmore College Swarthmore, PA	3.9	7%	Low
Haverford College Haverford, PA	3.9	12%	Low

Safety Schools (Very High Chance of Admission)

Safety schools have average GPAs well below 3.8; you have a very high chance of acceptance.

College	Avg GPA	Acceptance Rate	Your Chance
Temple University Philadelphia, PA	3.46	80%	High
West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester, PA	3.43	78%	High
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PA	3.31	91%	High
University of Scranton Scranton, PA	3.56	81%	High
Muhlenberg College Allentown, PA	3.44	72%	High
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA	3.23	87%	High
La Salle University Philadelphia, PA	3.44	97%	High
Lincoln University Lincoln University, PA	3.06	66%	High
Arcadia University Glenside, PA	3.42	80%	High
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PA	3.5	71%	High
Penn State Abington Abington, PA	3.42	97%	High
Millersville University of Pennsylvania Millersville, PA	3.21	86%	High

View all 68 safety colleges

View the full list of colleges that accept a 3.8 GPA in Pennsylvania

See all colleges nationally for a 3.8 GPA

Published: August 19, 2026