Short answer. A 3.9 GPA is about 94% on the common US 4.0 scale, between an A- (3.7) and an A (4.0). Few students hold an average this high.
What a 3.9 GPA means
At 3.9, almost every course on your record is an A or an A-. Few students hold an average this high.
This page reads 3.9 as an unweighted GPA on the 4.0 scale. A weighted 3.9 that includes honors or AP points stands for a lower unweighted average, so check which one your transcript shows before you compare.
In percent, a 3.9 is about 94% on the common US plus and minus scale. In letters, it is between an A- (3.7) and an A (4.0). For example, 7 courses at A and 3 at A- (all with the same credits) average 3.91, which rounds to about 3.9.
Is a 3.9 GPA good for college?
A 3.9 is high enough for any college's GPA minimum. It is competitive at selective colleges, where many admitted students have GPAs in this range.
At that level the number stops setting you apart, because many applicants have it too. Colleges then compare the difficulty of your courses, your test scores if you send them, your writing and what you did outside class. Use each college's Common Data Set to see where you stand.
How to raise a 3.9 GPA
Here is the math. Say you have 60 credits at 3.9 and want to reach 3.95. If every new credit is an A (4.0), you need about 60 more credits. With grades below 4.0 you need more. The more credits you already have, the slower your GPA moves, so early terms matter most.
There is very little room left. The aim is to hold your level and keep taking demanding courses. One B in a large course costs more than an extra A gains.
Related pages
Nearby values: What is a 3.8 GPA? | What is a 4.0 GPA?. Convert the number on the 3.9 GPA to percentage page, plan a target with the GPA goal calculator, or work out a new GPA with the GPA calculator.
Worked example
Example. For example, 7 courses at A and 3 at A- (all with the same credits) average 3.91, which rounds to about 3.9. On the plus and minus scale, that record converts to about 94%.
Questions
Is a 3.9 GPA good?
Yes. A 3.9 is near the top of the 4.0 scale and meets every GPA minimum. At selective colleges, other parts of your application decide more.
What percent is a 3.9 GPA?
About 94% on the common US plus and minus scale. That is between an A- (3.7) and an A (4.0).
How do I raise a 3.9 GPA?
Earn grades above 3.9 in your next courses. With 60 credits at 3.9, about 60 new credits of straight As would add about a little to it. The GPA goal calculator works this out for your own numbers.
Last checked by the StudyCount team.