10 Best Colleges for A- Students in 2025

Finding the right college can be challenging, especially during the college admissions process for A- students. You may be wondering if you should apply to highly selective colleges or colleges that are a bit more lenient.

Keep in mind that the best colleges for A and B students value well-rounded applicants who balance strong academics with extracurricular achievements and leadership experiences. As you begin your college search, look for institutions that emphasize holistic admissions criteria, provide financial aid opportunities, and support a standard student life that meets your standards. Below, we'll explain what type of colleges you should be applying to and also give some of our top recommendations for A- students.

What Types of Colleges Are Best for A- Students?

If you are an A- student, you should be applying to colleges and universities that accept high school graduates with a 3.7 to 3.9 GPA. Below, we outline the best types of colleges for A- students.

Selective, But Not Ivy League-Level

Selective, non-Ivy League colleges are a great option for A- students. These colleges have an excellent reputation, provide coveted networking opportunities, and ensure students complete a rigorous academic program. The University of Rochester and the University of Michigan fall into this category.

Top Public Universities and Honors Colleges

Top-ranked public universities and honors colleges offer A- students exceptional academics, affordable tuition, and dynamic campus life. Institutions like UT Austin, the University of Washington, and the University of North Carolina provide honors programs emphasizing small class sizes, research opportunities, internships, and personalized support.

Competitive Liberal Arts Colleges

Competitive liberal arts colleges provide A- students with personalized education, small class sizes, and close interactions with professors. Schools such as Swarthmore, Elon University, and other highly-ranked liberal arts colleges provide students with a respected degree in the arts, social sciences, humanities, or natural sciences. If you are an A- student interested in these types of degrees, a liberal arts college may be a great fit.

Private Universities with Slightly Higher Acceptance Rates

Many private universities combine academic excellence with slightly higher acceptance rates, making them ideal for A- students seeking selective yet accessible colleges. Do keep in mind that private universities may have a higher tuition rate than in-state public schools. However, if you want to attend college outside your home state, the difference in tuition may not be that noticeable.

Schools With Holistic Admissions Processes

A- students should look beyond just the most selective colleges for A students and explore schools that value well-rounded academic and personal achievements. Schools with holistic admissions processes look beyond GPA and test scores. They evaluate college applications on extracurricular involvement, leadership skills, essays, and personal character. Institutions like Elon University, University of Michigan, and University of California campuses emphasize a well-rounded profile, giving A- students opportunities to stand out by showcasing unique talents and experiences beyond academic performance alone.

Top Colleges For A- Students

Many colleges for A students also welcome A- students who demonstrate strong extracurricular involvement and leadership skills. Below is a carefully selected list of top colleges for A- students, highlighting accredited schools known for strong academics, attainable selectivity, diverse opportunities, and campus experiences.

1. University of Virginia

The University of Virginia (UVA) in Charlottesville, VA, is one of the best schools for A- students. It is a public research university with a competitive acceptance rate of 17% and an average accepted GPA of around 3.8, ideal for strong A- students. Tuition is around $58,014 a year for out-of-state students but $20,986 for in-state students.

Since it is consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Forbes, you can be confident that enrolling at UVA is a wise choice for your future career.

2. University of Florida

The University of Florida (UF) is public research university located in Gainesville, FL. It's a more affordable choice than UVA: in-state tuition per year is $6,381 and out-of-state is $28,659. UF's admissions process is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 24%. The middle 50% of admitted students have a weighted GPA between 4.4 and 4.6; however, a 3.7 is considered competitive enough to apply.

College students at UF enjoy going here because of how research-focused the college is along with all the extracurricular activities. Plus, the alumni network helps graduates secure high-paying roles.

3. University of Georgia

As the oldest public university in the nation, the University of Georgia (UGA), located in Athens, has affordable tuition. The average yearly cost for in-state students is $11,180 while out-of-state students pay $30,220. UGA's admissions process is competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 37%. As an A- student, you'll be a competitive applicant: the average accepted GPA is 3.8, and some even have a 3.5.

4. New York University

As the first private university on our list, New York University (NYU), even though tuition is higher, is quite a competitive option. The acceptance rate is only 9% and tuition costs $60,438 a year. The average unweighted GPA of admitted students is approximately 3.7.

If you want to enjoy your college years in New York City and make connections that will last a lifetime, NYU is another great option for A- students.

5. Boston University

Another private university, Boston University (BU) accepts 11% of applicants and costs $65,168 each year. All applicants have a GPA between 3.5 and 4.0. It offers over 300 degree programs and has an Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program. Usually intensive research projects are reserved for graduate students, but those pursuing a bachelor's degree can work with BU faculty on researching issues in education, medicine, humanities, and more.

6. Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University (CWRU), located in Cleveland, OH, is a respected private research university known for its strength in STEM and health sciences. With an acceptance rate of around 29% and an average accepted GPA of approximately 3.8, it's an ideal match for A- students. Tuition costs around $64,671 annually.

CWRU advertises a ''single-door admissions policy,'' meaning that once you're admitted, you can enroll in any major you want�you don't need a separate application for an engineering or pre-med degree.

7. Lafayette College

Lafayette College, located in Easton, PA, is a private liberal arts institution known for its strong academic programs and commitment to undergraduate education. Tuition is the same for both residents of Pennsylvania and out-of-state students: approximately $62,574 each year.

The college has a selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of about 31%. The average high school GPA of admitted students is approximately 3.55, making students with a slightly high GPA even better applicants.

8. Occidental College

Occidental College, located in Los Angeles, CA, is perfect for students who want to student the arts in LA. Tuition is $63,446 a year and the acceptance rate is 40%. Most of the accepted applicants have an average GPA of 3.65.

Occidental College has an Undergraduate Research Center for students interested in gaining experience in their field along with many internship opportunities. Plus the college will meet their students' need-based aid, ensuring that a lack of funds does not have to prevent someone from attending.

9. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University, located in University Park, PA, accepts over half of the students who apply (54%). A- students are almost guaranteed a spot as most applicants have a 3.55 to 3.97 GPA. Tuition does vary according to where you live. Pennsylvania residents pay $20,234 a year and out-of-state students pay $40,188.

As another all-around high-quality university, Penn State has a popular sports program, over 1,000 extracurricular opportunities, and helpful alumni networks�it's a great school for students interested in that type of college experience.

10. Arizona State University

Arizona State University (ASU), located in Tempe, AZ, has the highest acceptance rate out of the best colleges for A- students. It accepts 90% of its applicants. It's also affordable. Tuition is $12,051 for in-state students and $32,193 for out-of-state students. In-state students need a 3.0 GPA to be competitive while out-of-state students should have a 3.5.

How We Rank Schools

To identify the best colleges for A- students, we carefully considered several key selection criteria to ensure each school meets high academic standards while offering accessible opportunities:

• Accreditation: All colleges selected are regionally accredited, ensuring rigorous academic quality, credibility, and acceptance among employers and graduate schools.
• GPA requirement: We targeted schools accepting students with GPAs typically ranging from 3.7 to 3.9, accommodating slightly lower GPAs through holistic admissions evaluations.
• Acceptance rates: We focused on institutions with balanced acceptance rates�selective enough to ensure academic rigor yet attainable for high-achieving A- students.
• Holistic admissions: Schools chosen employ holistic admissions, prioritizing extracurricular involvement, leadership, essays, test scores, and overall student life alongside academics as enrollment requirements.

Explore Colleges and Universities

Learn more about colleges for A and B students on Learn.org, and find the right school to get started on your path toward academic and career success. Reach out to the colleges that interest you to get more information about applying today.