14 Best Colleges for "B Students"

If you are currently a high school student with B grades working on your college list, you might be wondering what colleges you should apply to and whether any highly ranked universities would accept you. Before we dive into some great colleges to consider, keep in mind that this list is not all-encompassing. It’s just a starting point - you might be surprised by where you can get in! Remember that grades aren’t everything. If your grades are lower but your extracurriculars and essays are strong, don’t hesitate to apply to your dream schools. You may be pleasantly surprised at what college admission committees think is impressive in your college application. Many universities often take a holistic approach to admissions, meaning that they consider your entire application as a whole, including extracurricular activities, personal statements, recommendations, standardized tests, and more, so don’t count yourself out based on grades alone. Now, let’s get into some colleges you may want to think about!

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Rutgers University

Rutgers University is ranked #41 in the 2025 US News National Universities ranking. There are numerous campuses throughout New Jersey including New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden, and the majority of students attend the New Brunswick campus. The average GPA for students in Rutgers is 3.73. The average SAT is 1355, the average ACT is 30, and the acceptance rate is 65%. Rutgers is a highly ranked university full of opportunity for its students, and it also has a more affordable tuition. The most popular majors in Rutgers are computer science, psychology, finance, biology, and nursing.

Fordham University

Fordham University is a private Jesuit research university and it is located in New York City. It is ranked #91 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA for students at this university is 3.71. The average SAT score is 1390, and the average ACT is 30. The acceptance rate is 58%. Fordham University is known for having small classes and great internship opportunities. It is also the only Jesuit University in New York City. There are two campuses - Lincoln Center or Rose Hill, and students can choose. The most popular majors here are business administration, psychology, political science and government, and economics.

Syracuse University

Syracuse is a private research university in Syracuse, New York State. It is ranked #73 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA in this university is 3.69. The average SAT score is 1310, the average ACT is 30. The acceptance rate is 59%. Syracuse University is known for its exceptional research opportunities and innovation, as well as its school spirit and community. The most popular majors here are communication, journalism, psychology, social sciences, business, finance, and information science/studies.

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware is a public research university located in Newark, Delaware. It is ranked #86 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA for students at this university is 3.94. The average SAT is 1260, the average ACT is 29, and the acceptance rate is 70%. It is one of the country’s oldest universities, and it is mostly known for incredible research opportunities, and some of the majors in this university are the top in the country. These include engineering (biomedical, chemical, mechanical), finance, marketing, and research and experimental psychology.

University of Massachusetts  - Amherst

University of Massachusetts, Amherst is one of the largest public research universities and it is located in Amherst, Massachusetts. It is located #58 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA is 4.02 for students at this university. The average SAT is 1355, the average ACT is 31, and the acceptance rate is 66%. The university is known for its highly ranked educational programs and opportunities, and it is especially known for being an inclusive and respectful community, accepting of all students. The most popular majors at this university are psychology, computer science, public health, and biology.

Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount is a private Jesuit and research university in Los Angeles, California. It is ranked #91 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA is 3.92. The average SAT score is 1335, the average ACT is 30, and the acceptance rate is 46%. This university is known for its academic excellence, diversity, and real-world experience. Students are encouraged to partake in opportunities in the surrounding area whether it is in entrepreneurship, filmmaking, or marine life protection in Los Angeles. The most popular majors are psychology, marketing, finance, cinematography and film/video production, political science and government, and playwriting and screenwriting.

Pepperdine University

Pepperdine is a private Christian research University in Malibu, California. It is ranked $80 in the 2025 US News Ranking. Its average GPA is 3.74. Its average SAT score is 1355, the average ACT score is 28, and the acceptance rate is 53%. It is known for its ideal and beautiful location, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is also known for its highly ranked academic and athletic programs, and its commitment to Christian values. Its most popular majors are business, management, communication, journalism, psychology, social sciences, and visual and performing arts.

University of Oregon

The University of Oregon is a public research university located in Eugene, Oregon. It is ranked #109 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA at this university is 3.73. The average SAT is 1225, the average ACT is 26, and the acceptance rate is 85%. It is most known for its highly ranked academic programs, such as the college of education, as well as the law school, and business school. The most popular majors are business/commerce, psychology, advertising, physiology, and many more.

Arizona State University

Arizona State University is a public research university in the Phoenix area of Arizona. It has four campuses, and the biggest one is the Tempe campus. It is ranked #121 in the US News Ranking. The average GPA at this university is 3.54. The average SAT score is 1245, the average ACT is 26, and the acceptance rate is 90%. It is known for being the country’s most innovative school, and for its sustainability and global impact. It is also known for having a large campus and a large international student enrollment. The most popular majors at this university are business, engineering, health professions, biology and biomedical sciences, computer science, and sustainability.

Baylor University

Baylor is a private Baptist research university located in Waco, Texas. It is ranked #91 in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA in this university is 3.77. The average SAT score is 1256, the average ACT is 29, and the acceptance rate is 57%. It is known for its research, academic excellence, and Christian values. The university also has a vibrant campus community and a strong faculty. The most popular majors are nursing, biology, marketing, health programs, accounting, finance, and psychology.

College of Charleston

The College of Charleston is a public university in Charleston, South Carolina. It is one of the oldest universities in the United States. It is ranked #4 in the top public schools in the United States, in the 2025 US News Ranking. The average GPA is 3.75. The average SAT score is 1185 and the average ACT score is 26. The acceptance rate is 75.7%. The university is known for its quality education, its vibrant student life, and its affordability. The most popular majors are communications, psychology, biology, business administration, public health, political science and government, and exercise physiology.

After exploring some of the universities that are great options for B grade students, hopefully some of them caught your eye! If not, don’t worry - this list is not at all comprehensive, and there are countless of incredible universities out there. Be sure to dig deeper and conduct your own research. Most importantly, don’t let your grades discourage you - there’s so much more to your application and grades are not everything. Good luck in your college search!

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