Numeric GPA Reference — 4.0 Scale
3.7 GPA — A− exact boundary,
magna cum laude line.
A 3.7 GPA is the A− boundary on the 4.0 scale — the exact grade-point value for A− — and the dividing line between magna and summa cum laude at many institutions. Enter your GPA below.
Adjacent GPA values and grade equivalents
What it means
3.7 GPA on the
US 4.0 Scale
A 3.7 GPA on the 4.0 scale corresponds to A− grade performance — exactly equivalent to A− quality points per credit hour. A− exact boundary — 3.7 is the grade-point value for A−, putting this GPA at the dividing line between magna and summa cum laude at many schools.
GPA is calculated as: Quality Points (grade pts × credits) divided by total credits. On the 4.0 scale, A− earns 3.7 quality points per credit. A 3-credit course at A− adds 11.1 quality points to your total.
Scale context
3.7 GPA in context
| GPA | Letter Grade | Common Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A / A+ | Maximum; summa cum laude |
| 3.7 | A− | Magna cum laude (many schools) |
| 3.5 | B+/A− | Cum laude; Dean's List; scholarships |
| 3.0 | B | Graduate school floor; scholarship renewal |
| 2.0 | C | Academic standing floor; probation line |
| 3.7 | A− | This page |
Thresholds vary by institution. Always check your school's official academic policies.
Common questions
3.7 GPA — FAQ
What letter grade is a 3.7 GPA?
A 3.7 GPA corresponds exactly to an A− letter grade on the 4.0 scale. A− earns precisely 3.7 quality points per credit hour — 3.7 is the exact A− grade-point value.
Is a 3.7 GPA good?
Yes — 3.7 is an excellent GPA. It is the A− boundary, qualifies for magna cum laude at most institutions, is competitive for top graduate programs, and exceeds nearly every scholarship threshold.
What percentage is a 3.7 GPA?
A− typically corresponds to 90–93% on a 100-point scale at most US institutions. Some define it as 90–92% or 91–93%. Check your school's grading scale.
Does a 3.7 GPA qualify for magna cum laude?
At many institutions, yes — magna cum laude is commonly 3.7 to 3.89 GPA. Some schools set it higher (3.8+). Check your institution's specific Latin honors criteria.
Is a 3.7 GPA good for medical school?
Yes — 3.7 is above the median GPA for many medical schools and competitive for most MD programs. Top medical schools (Harvard, Johns Hopkins) have medians around 3.9, but 3.7 is realistic for many strong programs.
What is the difference between 3.7 and 4.0 GPA?
A 3.7 = A− (90–93%); 4.0 = A (93–100%). On the 4.0 scale, 3.7 is the A− grade-point value. Over 60 credits, the difference between a 3.7 and 4.0 GPA represents 18 fewer quality points (3.7 × 60 = 222 vs 4.0 × 60 = 240).
Sources
Data and
references
US GPA methodology documented by NCES IPEDS. Institutional GPA data via College Scorecard (ED.gov). Grade-point values per UC Davis Registrar and MIT Registrar.
Related reading: GPA for Graduate School · Latin Honors GPA Cutoffs Explained · GPA and College Admissions