Colleges for a 3.9 GPA

colleges that accept a 3.9 grade point average

What is a 3.9 GPA?

A 3.9 grade point average is a numerical representation of your course letter grades on a 4.0 scale. Your 3.9 GPA indicates you averaged A- grades in your classes and delivered excellent performance. The percent equivalent of a 3.9 grade point average is 92% on the percentage grading scale. This means that you scored an average of 92% on tests and assignments. GPA values for A- grades range from 3.7 to 3.9. Your 3.9 GPA positions you at the high end of the A- range, demonstrating you have earned almost perfect straight A's. Learn more about what the A- letter grade signifies.

Is a 3.9 GPA good?

A 3.9 is just short of the highest possible unweighted GPA of a 4.0. You've nearly earned straight A's throughout school, with only a few A-'s. Overall a 3.9 indicates consistently high level of academic performance. This near-perfect score positions you as a top candidate for scholarships, honors programs, and very competitive colleges.

What colleges can I get into with a 3.9 GPA?

Graduating with a high school GPA of 3.9 places you within of the academic range at colleges like Harvard University, Stanford University and University of Florida. Based on incoming freshman GPA data for U.S. schools, our analysis indicates that 294 colleges would consider your 3.9 GPA competitive. The most popular colleges, historically accepting students with GPAs within the range of 3.7 to 4.1 (3.9 +/- 0.2), are listed below. To view your chances of admission at each school, scroll down and explore the full list.

3.9 for Harvard and Ivy League

A 3.9 unweighted can definitely get you into Harvard or any Ivy League school. All of these universities have average GPA's in the 3.9 range. However you will need more than a perfect GPA to stand out. These elite colleges take a comprehensive look at at each applicant factoring in SAT, ACT, high school class load, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and essays. Competition is so extreme, even a 3.9 usually doesn't cut it.

Here are the average GPAs and estimated chances for admission with a 3.9 at Ivy League and other prestigious colleges and universities.

  • Harvard - 4.0 average GPA / 2.4% chance
  • Princeton - 3.93 average GPA / 5.6% chance
  • Yale - 3.95 average GPA / 4.5% chance
  • Penn - 3.95 average GPA / 6.3% chance
  • Dartmouth - 3.9 average GPA / 6.0% chance
  • Brown - 3.94 average GPA / 4.6% chance
  • Cornell - 3.9 average GPA / 7.0% chance
  • Columbia - 3.91 average GPA / 3.9% chance
  • Stanford - 3.96 average GPA / 3.5% chance
  • MIT - 3.96 average GPA / 3.5% chance
  • Caltech - 3.97 average GPA / 2.6% chance

Summa Cum Laude

The Latin phrase "summa cum laude" means "with highest honors" and is a distinction awarded to class graduates with the highest academic performance. The exact range for summa cum laude varies by college or high school but is generally between a 3.8 and 4.0 GPA. Thus a 3.9 GPA is typically eligible for the summa cum laude distinction.

3.9 GPA honor roll

Many high schools have honor rolls which are published to recognize students with consistently high performance. The qualifications for getting on the honor roll vary from school to school. Frequently, a high and standard honor roll is established with different criteria, sometimes for students above 3.0, 3.5 or 3.75 GPAs. In most cases a 3.9 will get you on the honor roll.

Demographic Statistics

Let's examine how a 3.9 GPA stacks up to the national high school averages across various demographic groups

Gender

  • Male: A 3.9 is 0.9 points (30%) higher than the average male student GPA of 3.0
  • Female: A 3.9 is 0.7 points (21%) higher than the average female student GPA of 3.23

Race/ethnicity

  • White: A 3.9 is 0.7 points (21%) higher than the average white student GPA of 3.23
  • Black: A 3.9 is 1.1 points (38%) higher than the average black student GPA of 2.83
  • Hispanic: A 3.9 is 0.9 points (32%) higher than the average Hispanic student GPA of 2.95
  • Asian/Pacific Islander: A 3.9 is 0.5 points (15%) higher than the average Asian/Pacific Islander student GPA of 3.39

Statistics source: 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) High School Transcript Study (HSTS)

How high can I still increase my 3.9 GPA?

The table below will help you see how high or low you can possibly change your GPA if you currently have a 3.9. As you progress in school it becomes more and more difficult to improve your overall grade point average. Select the tab and table column corresponding to the last semester you completed. Then find a row for your predicted future letter grade average. The result would be your GPA at graduation if you can maintain that letter grade.

Freshmen with a 3.9 after first semester can still possibly raise their GPA as high as a 3.99 or drop it to a 0.49. There is still a lot of time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 3.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.9 GPA to before graduation for freshmen
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.99 3.98
A- 3.73 3.75
B+ 3.37 3.45
B 3.11 3.23
B- 2.85 3.00
C+ 2.50 2.70
C 2.24 2.48
C- 1.98 2.25
D+ 1.62 1.95
D 1.36 1.73
D- 1.10 1.50
F 0.49 0.97

Sophomores with a 3.9 after first semester can still raise their GPA as high as a 3.96 or see it fall to a 1.46. You have some time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 2.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.9 GPA to before graduation for sophomores
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.96 3.95
A- 3.77 3.80
B+ 3.52 3.60
B 3.34 3.45
B- 3.15 3.30
C+ 2.90 3.10
C 2.71 2.95
C- 2.52 2.80
D+ 2.27 2.60
D 2.09 2.45
D- 1.90 2.30
F 1.46 1.95

Juniors with a 3.9 after first semester can still raise their GPA to a 3.94 or lower it to a 2.44. You have limited classes left to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 1.50 grade points in the future.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.9 GPA to before graduation for juniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.94 3.92
A- 3.83 3.85
B+ 3.67 3.75
B 3.56 3.67
B- 3.45 3.60
C+ 3.30 3.50
C 3.19 3.42
C- 3.08 3.35
D+ 2.92 3.25
D 2.81 3.17
D- 2.70 3.10
F 2.44 2.92

After first semester senior year your GPA is fairly locked in. A 3.9 can be raised a 3.91 or slip to a 3.41. You have very little time to change your GPA before graduation and it can vary by 0.50 grade points at the most.

Possible grades you can raise your 3.9 GPA to before graduation for seniors
Future Grades 1st Semester Completed 2nd Semester Completed
A 3.91 3.90
A- 3.88 3.90
B+ 3.83 3.90
B 3.79 3.90
B- 3.75 3.90
C+ 3.70 3.90
C 3.66 3.90
C- 3.62 3.90
D+ 3.58 3.90
D 3.54 3.90
D- 3.50 3.90
F 3.41 3.90
View Colleges

Colleges By Region

Change GPA

Explore colleges for other GPAs

-1 +1
GPA 3.9 Public Private 4 year

294 results nationwide

List of 3.9 GPA Colleges

Displaying 294 colleges where your 3.9 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 738 target schools (good chance), 138 reach (harder) schools and 4,185 safety (easier) schools you can consider.

Cornell University
Connect Me
C
Ithaca, NY

Cornell University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.9 Estimated Average GPA

#19 Best Colleges in America

  • 25,898enrollment
  • $26,060net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 2

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Virginia Main Campus
Connect Me
V
Charlottesville, VA

University of Virginia Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.85 Estimated Average GPA

#3 Best Public Universities in America

  • 26,082enrollment
  • $19,469net price
  • 19%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance21%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Texas Tech University
Connect Me
T
Lubbock, TX

Texas Tech University

Public 4 Year

8 reviews

3.76 Average GPA

#4 Best Public Universities in Texas

  • 40,378enrollment
  • $17,896net price
  • 67%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 23-28ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance74%

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

University of California Davis

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

4.0 Average GPA

#11 Best Public Universities in America

  • 39,679enrollment
  • $17,385net price
  • 37%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1400SAT range
  • 25-33ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance32%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgetown University
Connect Me
G
Washington, DC

Georgetown University

Private 4 Year

5 reviews

3.89 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Private Colleges in District Of Columbia

  • 20,984enrollment
  • $35,566net price
  • 12%acceptance rate
  • 1410-1560SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance12%

Compare Calculate my chances 
Northwestern University
Connect Me
N
Evanston, IL

Northwestern University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

3.92 Estimated Average GPA

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 23,161enrollment
  • $22,095net price
  • 7%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance7%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus
Connect Me
G
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute of Technology Main Campus

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.85 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Public Universities in Georgia

  • 45,296enrollment
  • $17,402net price
  • 17%acceptance rate
  • 1370-1550SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance19%

Applications Due Jan 4

Compare Calculate my chances 
Pepperdine University
Connect Me
P
Malibu, CA

Pepperdine University

Private 4 Year

3 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#11 Best Private Colleges in California

  • 10,030enrollment
  • $47,804net price
  • 49%acceptance rate
  • 1285-1480SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance58%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Notre Dame
Connect Me
N
Notre Dame, IN

University of Notre Dame

Private 4 Year

7 reviews

3.91 Estimated Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Indiana

  • 13,105enrollment
  • $28,474net price
  • 13%acceptance rate
  • 1450-1550SAT range
  • 32-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance13%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
California State University Long Beach
Connect Me
C
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.7 Average GPA

#11 Best Public Universities in California

  • 38,973enrollment
  • $9,346net price
  • 40%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • 20-26ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance52%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Appalachian State University
Connect Me
A
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University

Public 4 Year

7 reviews

3.96 Average GPA

#7 Best Public Universities in North Carolina

  • 20,436enrollment
  • $13,084net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1100-1270SAT range
  • 21-27ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance81%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Emory University
Connect Me
E
Atlanta, GA

Emory University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

3.8 Average GPA

#24 Best Colleges in America

  • 14,841enrollment
  • $26,680net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1550SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance14%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of California San Diego
Connect Me
C
La Jolla, CA

University of California San Diego

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.82 Estimated Average GPA

#9 Best Public Universities in America

  • 42,006enrollment
  • $16,111net price
  • 24%acceptance rate
  • 1270-1480SAT range
  • 28-34ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance28%

Applications Due Nov 30

Compare Calculate my chances 
Carnegie Mellon University
Connect Me
C
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

3.89 Average GPA

#4 Best Private Colleges in Pennsylvania

  • 16,002enrollment
  • $33,499net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-35ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance11%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
University of Delaware
Connect Me
D
Newark, DE

University of Delaware

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

3.94 Average GPA

#1 Best Value in Delaware

  • 24,039enrollment
  • $18,044net price
  • 74%acceptance rate
  • 1190-1360SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance72%

Applications Due Jan 15

Compare Calculate my chances 
Florida Atlantic University
Connect Me
F
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University

Public 4 Year

3 reviews

3.74 Average GPA

#8 Best Public Universities in Florida

  • 29,592enrollment
  • $9,711net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1200SAT range
  • 20-25ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance86%

Applications Due May 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Miami University
Connect Me
M
Oxford, OH

Miami University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

3.85 Average GPA

#2 Best Public Universities in Ohio

  • 19,107enrollment
  • $23,031net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1200-1390SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance89%

Applications Due Feb 1

Compare Calculate my chances 
Rice University
Connect Me
R
Houston, TX

Rice University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

3.96 Estimated Average GPA

#9 Best Colleges in America

  • 8,672enrollment
  • $19,902net price
  • 9%acceptance rate
  • 1490-1570SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
Your 3.9 GPA
Admission Chance8%

Applications Due Jan 1

Compare Calculate my chances