What are your chances of acceptance?

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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

Is a 3.4 GPA Good? Colleges that Accept a 3.4 GPA

What’s Covered:

 

While it’s true that GPA is one of the most important factors considered by college admissions officers, it’s a myth that you’re doomed if you don’t have a 4.0. With a 3.4, you’ll be a strong applicant at many colleges, and may even have a shot at some more selective schools. This post will present you with a list of colleges where accepted students have an average GPA of 3.4.

 

Not sure what your unweighted GPA is on a 4.0 scale? Use our GPA converter.

 

Is a 3.4 GPA Good? 

 

A 2016 study found that the national average GPA for SAT test takers is a 3.38, which corresponds to about a B+ in terms of letter grades. So, with a 3.4, you’re just above the national average, which is a testament to your hard work throughout high school–be proud of yourself!

 

In the context of college applications, whether or not a 3.4 is a good GPA depends on which school is reviewing your application. There are some schools out there that typically want to see a higher GPA, but remember that admissions officers also know there’s more to an applicant’s story.

 

If you want to see how your GPA stacks up at your dream schools, check out our free Chancing Engine. It will also take your test scores, extracurriculars, and course rigor into account, and let you know how to improve your profile.

 

How Do Colleges Evaluate GPAs?

 

As noted above, the answer to this question will vary from school to school. Many admissions committees actually recalculate applicants’ GPAs using their own method, so that they can give appropriate weight to the factors they feel are most important. 

 

For example, some colleges weight AP or honors classes more heavily, or include only core classes (math, science, history, English, and foreign language), not electives, in their calculation. This first strategy may be one you are familiar with, if your high school gives you a weighted GPA. If you have not heard of weighted GPAs before, and want to know more, you can check out our post on the difference between weighted and unweighted GPA.

 

Finally, it’s important to note that your GPA isn’t the only factor colleges use to evaluate your academic achievements. Your standardized test scores are also considered, so at more competitive schools, a strong SAT or ACT score can help your chances of acceptance. The combination of an applicant’s GPA and test score is often referred to as their Academic Index.

 

Which Colleges Accept a 3.4 GPA?

 

Below is a list of the top colleges that have freshman classes with an average high school GPA of 3.4.

 

It’s worth noting that the schools on this list aren’t the only institutions students with a 3.4 GPA should consider. A number of universities don’t publish accepted students’ average GPAs due to variations in how high schools calculate GPA, so do your research before definitively deciding whether or not to include a school on your list.

 

School Name

Location

Undergrad Enrollment

Acceptance Rate

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, AK

10,342

69%

University of Alaska Fairbanks | UAF

Fairbanks, AK

6,500

67%

Jacksonville State University

Jacksonville, AL

8,311

64%

Auburn University at Montgomery

Montgomery, AL

4,091

97%

Faulkner University

Montgomery, AL

1,939

65%

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

Fort Smith, AR

5,403

89%

University of Arkansas at Little Rock | UA Little Rock

Little Rock, AR

6,357

58%

Arkansas Tech University

Russellville, AR

8,901

94%

California State University-Chico

Chico, CA

14,406

85%

California State University, Northridge | CSUN

Los Angeles, CA

34,275

73%

Sonoma State University | SSU

Rohnert Park, CA

6,587

94%

California State University-Sacramento

Sacramento, CA

28,904

94%

California State University-San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA

16,704

91%

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO

10,002

95%

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, CO

3,242

91%

Western Connecticut State University

Danbury, CT

4,641

81%

Quinnipiac University

Hamden, CT

6,298

88%

Eastern Connecticut State University

Windham, CT

4,145

73%

Georgia Southern University

Statesboro, GA

23,542

91%

University of Hawaii at Hilo

Hilo, HI

2,763

92%

Saint Ambrose University

Davenport, IA

2,228

72%

Idaho State University

Pocatello, ID

9,575

Not reported

Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL

6,903

72%

Columbia College Chicago

Chicago, IL

6,493

96%

Saint Xavier University

Chicago, IL

3,101

85%

University of Illinois at Chicago | UIC

Chicago, IL

22,279

79%

Illinois State University | ISU

Normal, IL

17,674

92%

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne, IN

7,768

83%

Emporia State University

Emporia, KS

2,948

88%

Pittsburg State University

Pittsburg, KS

4,825

91%

Western Kentucky University

Bowling Green, KY

14,729

98%

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville, KY

5,880

77%

Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY

1,836

96%

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, KY

10,814

80%

Bellarmine University

Louisville, KY

2,407

86%

Eastern Kentucky University

Richmond, KY

11,684

98%

Southeastern Louisiana University

Hammond, LA

12,487

98%

University of Louisiana at Lafayette | UL Lafayette

Lafayette, LA

13,700

78%

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | MCPHS

Boston, MA

3,970

91%

University of Massachusetts Boston | UMass Boston

Boston, MA

12,269

79%

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | UMass Dartmouth

Dartmouth, MA

5,833

92%

Wentworth Institute of Technology | WIT

Boston, MA

3,958

90%

Mount St. Mary’s University

Emmitsburg, MD

2,055

82%

Husson University

Bangor, ME

2,572

86%

University of New England

Biddeford, ME

3,671

90%

University of Maine

Orono, ME

9,447

96%

Wayne State University | WSU

Detroit, MI

16,851

63%

Madonna University

Livonia, MI

2,040

51%

Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MI

12,579

69%

Northwood University

Midland, MI

2,100

84%

Lawrence Technological University

Southfield, MI

2,356

81%

Eastern Michigan University | EMU

Ypsilanti, MI

12,730

85%

Saint Cloud State University

St. Cloud, MN

8,581

94%

Winona State University

Winona, MN

5,763

77%

Missouri Baptist University

Creve Coeur, MO

4,046

65%

Lindenwood University

Saint Charles, MO

4,619

75%

Delta State University

Cleveland, MS

2,041

100%

University of Montana

Missoula, MT

7,223

82%

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC

10,145

74%

High Point University

High Point, NC

4,910

80%

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Pembroke, NC

6,317

92%

Minot State University

Minot, ND

2,576

88%

University of Nebraska Omaha | UNO

Omaha, NE

12,197

87%

Wayne State College

Wayne, NE

3,766

100%

St. Anselm College

Goffstown, NH

1,954

78%

Rowan University

Glassboro, NJ

15,147

84%

Rider University

Lawrence Township, NJ

3,232

82%

University of New Mexico | UNM

Albuquerque, NM

15,336

65%

University of Nevada, Las Vegas | UNLV

Las Vegas, NV

25,407

83%

University of Nevada, Reno

Reno, NV

17,025

88%

Brooklyn College

Brooklyn, NY

13,405

51%

Long Island University

Brookville, NY

10,707

93%

Iona College

New Rochelle, NY

2,994

93%

Pace University

New York, NY

8,260

88%

Yeshiva University

New York, NY

2,045

62%

The State University of New York at Purchase | SUNY Purchase

Purchase, NY

3,446

75%

Wright State University

Dayton, OH

7,477

96%

Rogers State University

Claremore, OK

3,078

61%

Western Oregon University

Monmouth, OR

3,615

92%

Portland State University | PSU

Portland, OR

17,753

98%

Muhlenberg College

Allentown, PA

2,074

68%

DeSales University

Center Valley, PA

2,309

78%

Mount Aloysius College

Cresson, PA

2,678

92%

Mercyhurst University

Erie, PA

2,659

88%

Arcadia University

Glenside, PA

1,831

82%

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | IUP

Indiana, PA

7,339

94%

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, PA

2,466

95%

La Salle University

Philadelphia, PA

2,746

84%

Alvernia University

Reading, PA

2,032

58%

West Chester University | WCUPA

West Chester, PA

14,471

89%

Roger Williams University | RWU

Bristol, RI

4,206

85%

Bryant University

Smithfield, RI

3,022

74%

Northern State University

Aberdeen, SD

2,867

80%

University of South Dakota | USD

Vermillion, SD

6,987

87%

Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN

1,924

78%

Lamar University

Beaumont, TX

8,394

88%

Texas A&M University–Commerce

Commerce, TX

7,369

44%

Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX

8,027

91%

University of Houston-Clear Lake

Houston, TX

6,679

95%

Texas A&M University–Kingsville

Kingsville, TX

5,085

93%

The University of Texas at Tyler

Tyler, TX

7,185

94%

Snow College

Ephraim, UT

5,800

Open enrollment

Weber State University

Ogden, UT

28,788

100%

Utah Tech University (previously Dixie State University)

St. George, UT

12,201

100%

Marymount University

Arlington, VA

2,221

84%

Champlain College

Burlington, VT

2,100

62%

Norwich University

Northfield, VT

2,988

87%

Washington State University | WSU

Pullman, WA

24,278

86%

University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Tacoma, WA

4,567

86%

Fairmont State University

Fairmont, WV

3,273

99%

Carthage College

Kenosha, WI

2,637

76%

University of Wisconsin-Stout

Menomonie, WI

6,631

91%

University of Wisconsin-River Falls

River Falls, WI

5,003

86%

 

How to Improve Your GPA

 

Especially if you are a freshman or sophomore, you may still be hoping to raise your GPA, to give you a better chance of acceptance at more selective colleges. Here are some suggestions of how you can improve your GPA.

 

Seek Academic Help

 

If you have a class or two where you aren’t doing as well as you would like, remember that your teachers are there to help you! You won’t be the first student to ever need extra help, so they’ll likely already have some suggestions ready for you. Sometimes even a seemingly small change to your study habits, like the way you take notes, can go a long way.

 

If your school offers study groups or tutoring, those are also excellent resources to take advantage of. And if not, think about setting up an informal study group with friends, or utilizing some of the many free academic help resources available online, like Khan Academy.

 

Take Easier Classes

 

Very few students go through high school without running into a class or subject that’s especially difficult for them. That doesn’t mean you should panic over one low test score, or shoot for the “easy A.” However, if, for example, math has always been challenging for you and you’re in an honors geometry course, consider switching down a level. That will not only make that class more manageable, but also leave you with more time and energy to dedicate to your other courses.

 

Increase Your Course Load

 

If you have an opening in your schedule, from a free period or an early dismissal for seniors, filling that gap with a class in a subject you enjoy and are successful in can help raise your GPA. You want to be careful not to overextend yourself, especially if you have a busy extracurricular schedule, or the classes you’re already taking are known for being challenging. But if there is a class that appeals to you and won’t limit your ability to take care of your other commitments, think about signing up!

 

What If You Don’t Have Time to Improve Your GPA?

 

Of course, you always want to shoot for the highest grades you can, but unfortunately, if you’re a junior or senior, you just don’t have much time left to substantially raise your GPA. And remember that schools also consider test scores when calculating your Academic Index.

 

So, since there are only so many hours in the day, spending a little extra time studying for the SAT or ACT may be more productive than dedicating that time to your homework, as an especially strong test score can have a big impact on your chances of acceptance.


Short Bio
Adrian is a current senior at Dartmouth College, originally from Seattle, WA. At Dartmouth, she studies philosophy and neuroscience, and has been involved with research in the philosophy department, sexual assault prevention on campus, and mentorship programs for first year students. She spent her junior fall studying abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.