Are you a B student looking for colleges in New England that cater to your academic needs and provide a supportive environment for your growth and development? Look no further, as we have compiled a list of reputable institutions that are known for their solid programs and resources for students who may not have top-tier grades but still possess potential and ambition. These colleges, including Brandeis University, Lasell University, and Northeastern University, offer a range of opportunities for B students seeking a quality education in the New England region.

Admission requirements for B students vary depending on the college in question, but generally, these institutions will look for a combination of factors beyond just grades. While a strong academic record is important, colleges like Babson College, Bentley University, and Boston College may also consider factors such as extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and interviews. Additionally, demonstrating a commitment to your studies and a willingness to challenge yourself academically can also work in your favor during the admissions process.

To apply to these colleges as a B student, it is important to carefully review the specific admission requirements of each institution and prepare a strong application that highlights your strengths and accomplishments. In the case of institutions like Wheaton College, Fisher College, and Gordon College, it is essential to submit all required documents by the stated deadlines and to showcase your potential for success in college through your application materials. By demonstrating your dedication to your academic and personal growth, you can increase your chances of being accepted to these colleges and starting your journey towards a successful college experience.

best colleges for b students in new England

Many of these schools have generous financial aid packages and will work with you to make sure that you can afford school. They also tend to have smaller class sizes than other schools, which means that your professors will get to know you better and help shape your education experience. You’ll also find that there are more opportunities to participate in study groups and clubs on campus than at most other institutions.

If you’re a “B” student, then you know how hard it is to find colleges that will accept your average grades and SAT scores.

You’ve probably been told that you need to get at least a 3.5 GPA to get into college, but that’s not true! You can go to a great school with a lower GPA and still get accepted.

We’ve done the research for you and found the best schools in New England that will accept B students.

To make it easy for you, we’ve narrowed down our list of the top 6 colleges for B students in New England:

Colleges For B Students In New England

We begin with Colleges For B Students In New England, then colleges for b and c students, colleges for average students, colleges for c students and best colleges for b students.

Northeast

School	Location	US News Ranking	Average GPA	Average SAT	Average ACT	Acceptance Rate
Clark University	Worcester, MA	#103	3.67	1293	30	53%
Fordham University	New York, NY	#66	3.64	1340	30	46%
Providence College	Providence, RI	#1 Regional Universities North	3.48	1280	29	47%
Rutgers University	Piscataway, NJ	#63	3.73	1300	28	61%
St. Lawrence University	Canton, NY	#54 National Liberal Arts Colleges	3.6	1278	28	42%
Syracuse University	Syracuse, NY	#58	3.67	1275	28	44%
University of Delaware	Newark, DE	#97	3.77	1260	28	68%
University of Massachusetts	Amherst, MA	#66	3.9	1290	29	64%

Colleges for B and C Students

Now we discuss colleges for b and c students, colleges for average students, colleges for c students and best colleges for b students.

Competition to get into Ivy League–level schools is fiercer than ever. So where does that leave the majority of high schoolers — steady students who nonetheless fall short of the straight As, single-digit class rank and high test scores elite universities expect? 

In the driver’s seat, according to experts. “A lot of people think that there are only 20 good schools in the United States,” says Andrew Belasco, PhD, CEO of College Transitions in Conshohocken, PA. “In fact, there are hundreds of good schools. It’s just about finding the right institution.” 

Long-term groundwork

As early as 10th grade, teens should ask themselves “What makes me a successful student?” advises Daniel Evans, director of college counseling at Philly’s William Penn Charter School. 

Good Area Colleges
For B & C Students

PA
Albright College
Arcadia University
Cedar Crest College
DeSales University
Duquesne University
Holy Family University
Juniata College
Moravian College
Philadelphia University
St. Joseph’s University
Shippensburg University
Susquehanna University
Washington & Jefferson College
West Chester University
Widener University
Wilkes University

DE/MD
Coppin State University
Goucher College
Hood College
McDaniel College
St. John’s College
Washington College
Wesley College
Wilmington University

NJ
Caldwell College
Centenary College
College of St. Elizabeth
Drew University
Monmouth University
NJ Institute of Technology
Rider University
Seton Hall University
St. Peter’s College

A GPA of less than 3.5 does not indicate a lack of success. Has a student improved grades year over year? Enrolled in weighted honors, AP or accelerated classes? Taken on a leadership position in a club or sport? Early self-reflection, Evans says, gives teens the ability to take the college-prep process “in doses, giving it the thought and time” required.

Such a long-term perspective is important, says 17-year-old Madison Stofflet. The rising senior from Douglasville, PA, didn’t step up her game, join clubs or tackle honors courses until her junior year. Now, as application deadlines 
loom, she admits feeling overwhelmed. Her advice: “As a freshman, strive to do your best, take challenging classes and pace yourself, because high school is short. It goes by superfast and before you know it, it’s time for college.” 

The grading game

Students like Stofflet can positively impact the admissions process by trending their grades upward, says Belasco. Trending up occurs when a student improves, say, a report card of 3 Bs and 3 Cs in 10th grade to 5 Bs and 1 C in 11th. This shows colleges that the student is dedicated to learning and has the ability to improve as subject matter becomes more difficult. 

Students can also compensate for average grades by bringing up their SAT or ACT scores or by taking an honors course that weighs a B as if it were an A in a less rigorous class.

Indeed, applications reflect more than just grades. Personal statements, essays, a record of committed extracurricular involvement and teacher recommendations that describe a grit and willingness to work through challenges all help admissions officers get to know applicants better. Evans suggests that average students take advantage of the college interview process, a face-to-face meeting during which it may be easier to put a B- in context than it seems on a cold transcript. 

The college landscape

Rather than focusing attention on reach schools, B and C students are smart to target colleges with higher admittance rates — those that admit half of their applicants. “The good news,” says Evans, “is that’s the majority of the colleges and universities in the United States.”

Consider out-of-state private schools that may offer generous financial-aid packages to far-flung students with solid Bs. “Often you can get a much better deal and fit by traveling far away,” says Belasco. 

Guidance counselors can help students determine a list of achievable colleges. Once you have a workable list, schedule campus visits, which are “very important to get a feel for the culture and determine if the school has the right fit,” explains Laura Morris, director of admissions at Wilmington University. Once there, Evans advises parents to encourage teens to “look beyond the sales pitch portions of the process and begin to peel back some layers” to see whether the school matches your child’s goals and abilities.

colleges for average students

More details coming up on colleges for average students, colleges for c students and best colleges for b students.

A-Plus Schools for B Students National Universities

School	Location	Fall 2020 acceptance rate
Loyola University Chicago	Chicago, IL	71%
Miami University–Oxford	Oxford, OH	92%
University of Arizona	Tucson, AZ	85%
University of Illinois–Chicago	Chicago, IL	73%

colleges for c students

What Are Colleges Looking at Other Than a 3.0 High School GPA?

Colleges look at students holistically. They want to see involvement in afterschool activities, such as clubs or sports, or perhaps a job or community service. When crafting your college applications, show how well-rounded of a person you are by including:

• SAT Scores / ACT Scores
• Extracurricular/Afterschool activities
• Sports
• Application Essays
• Volunteer Work / Community Service
• Jobs / Internships / Special Projects 
• FAFSA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 3.0 GPA in high school considered good?

A 3.0 GPA indicates a grade average of “B” and makes you eligible to apply to a wide range of schools, so yes! A 3.0 GPA is generally considered “good.” 

 

What colleges can I get into with a 3.0 GPA?

Lynn University, Alabama A & M University, and SUNY Buffalo State accept students with an average of a 3.0 GPA. There are many more besides, so take a look at the full list of colleges! 

 

What percentile is a 3.0 GPA? 

A 3.0 GPA equates to a percentile of 85%, putting this GPA as a solid B average. 

 

What scholarships can you get with a 3.0 GPA?

You’ll find some scholarships that require a higher GPA, but the majority will require at least a 3.0, so you’re in a good position to apply for any number of scholarships. 

best colleges for b students

A-Plus Schools for B Students National Universities

School	Location	SAT/ACT 25th-75th percentile
Elon University	Elon, NC	1140-1320
Howard University	Washington, DC	1130-1260
Marquette University	Milwaukee, WI	25-30
Michigan State University	East Lansing, MI	1100-1300

Here’s a collection of colleges for B students in New England.

The following are the top ten best colleges for B students in New England:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst
2. University of Connecticut
3. Northeastern University
4. Bryant University (R.I.)
5. University of Maine at Orono
6. Rhode Island College (Providence)
7. Bryant University (Sailor’s Hbr)
8. Johnson & Wales University (Providence)
9. Champlain College (Burlington)

colleges in new england

The New England region has some of the most selective and prestigious colleges and universities in the country. Harvard frequently ranks first or second among U.S. universities, and Williams and Amherst often vie for the top spot for liberal arts colleges. On the engineering front, MIT frequently sits at the top of the rankings. The colleges and universities ranked alphabetically below were chosen from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont based on retention rates, graduation rates, student engagement, selectivity, and financial aid.

Amherst College

• Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 1,849 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: Private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: One of the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S.; one of the most selective colleges; member of the five-college consortium; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; excellent grant aid for qualifying students
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Amherst

Babson College

• Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 3,165 (2,283 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private business college
• Distinctions: Highly ranked undergraduate business program; innovative curriculum with emphasis on leadership and entrepreneurship skills; first-year students develop, launch and liquidate a for-profit business of their own design
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Babson

Bates College

• Location: Lewiston, Maine
• Enrollment: 1,780 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: Test-optional admissions; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; highly ranked liberal arts college; popular study abroad programs; about 2/3 of students go on to graduate school; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio

Bentley University

• Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 5,506 (4,222 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university with a business focus
• Distinctions: Highly ranked business school; 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 24; business curriculum has a liberal arts core; curricular emphasis on ethics, social responsibility, and global culture
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Bentley

Boston College

• Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 14,466 (9,870 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private Catholic university
• Distinctions: One of the top Catholic universities; largest endowment of any Jesuit university; strong undergraduate business program; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division 1-A Atlantic Coast Conference

Bowdoin College

• Location: Brunswick, Maine
• Enrollment: 1,806 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: Loan-free financial aid; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; beautiful; highly selective admissions; interesting mix of historic and state-of-the-art buildings; 118-acre Coastal Studies Center on Orr’s Island

Brandeis University

• Location: Waltham, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 5,729 (3,608 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Distinctions: 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; easy access to Boston
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Brandeis

Brown University

• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Enrollment: 9,781 (6,926 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Distinctions: Member of the Ivy League; open curriculum allows students to plan their own plans of study; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; one of the country’s top universities

Coast Guard Academy

• Location: New London, Connecticut
• Enrollment: 1,047 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: federal service academy (military)
• Distinctions: 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; 80% of graduates go on to graduate school; free, but students have a five-year service commitment; merit-based admissions (no congressional nomination required); low acceptance rate

Colby College

• Location: Waterville, Maine
• Enrollment: 1,879 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; attractive 714-acre campus with a 128-acre arboretum; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; strong environmental and global initiatives; NCAA Division I ski teams
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Colby

Connecticut College

• Location: New London, Connecticut
• Enrollment: 1,865 (all undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 18; attractive waterfront campus adjacent to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; test-optional admissions
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Connecticut College

Dartmouth College

• Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
• Enrollment: 6,409 (4,310 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Explore Campus: Dartmouth College photo tour
• Distinctions: Smallest member of the Ivy League; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; attractive 269-acre campus with a mix of historic and modern buildings; home to the Hood Museum of Art and Hopkins Center for the Arts; active athletic programs; strong study abroad initiatives

Harvard University

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 29,908 (9,915 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Explore the Campus: Harvard University photo tour
• Distinctions: Most selective university in the country; member of the Ivy League; largest endowment of any university; member of the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; excellent financial aid for families with modest income

Holy Cross, College of the

• Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 2,720 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: private Catholic liberal arts college
• Distinctions: 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; one of the country’s top Catholic colleges; oldest Catholic college in New England; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; member of the NCAA Division I Patriot League
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Holy Cross

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 11,376 (4,524 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university (engineering and science focus)
• Distinctions: Often ranked #1 among top engineering schools; home to one of the nation’s top business schools; stunning location overlooking the Boston skyline; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs

Middlebury College

• Location: Middlebury, Vermont
• Enrollment: 2,549 (2,523 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: One of the country’s top liberal arts colleges; 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 16; excellent language programs and study-abroad program; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; attractive campus in a scenic New England town
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Middlebury

Olin College of Engineering

• Location: Needham, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 378 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: engineering school
• Distinctions: One of the top undergraduate engineering colleges; generous financial aid—all students receive an Olin Scholarship; project-based, hands-on, student-centered curriculum; 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; small school with lots of student-faculty interaction
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Olin

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)

• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Enrollment: 2,477 (1,999 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: school of art and design
• Distinctions: One of the country’s top art schools; studio-based curriculum; strong job placement rate; home to the RISD Museum; portfolio-centered admissions process; dual degree program with neighboring Brown University

Smith College

• Location: Northampton, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 2,896 (2,514 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private women’s liberal arts college
• Distinctions: One of the country’s top women’s colleges; member of the five college consortium; 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; home to the 12,000 square foot Lyman Conservatory and the Botanic Garden with about 10,000 different plant species; one of the “Seven Sisters”
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Smith

Trinity College

• Location: Hartford, Connecticut
• Enrollment: 2,350 (2,259 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; strong initiatives for study abroad, community service and internships; 100 student organizations including an active Greek system; home to one of the country’s oldest chapters of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Trinity

Tufts University

• Location: Medford, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 11,489 (5,508 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Distinctions: 9 to 1 student/faculty ratio; attractive campus with easy access to Boston; broad academic options; high marks for student happiness and study abroad; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences

Wellesley College

• Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 2,482 (all undergraduate)
• Type of Institution: private women’s liberal arts college
• Explore the Campus: Wellesley College photo tour
• Distinctions: One of the top 10 liberal arts colleges; often ranked #1 among top women’s colleges; 7 to 1 student/faculty ratio; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; academic exchange programs with Harvard and M.I.T.; attractive lakeside campus
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Wellesley

Wesleyan University

• Location: Middletown, Connecticut
• Enrollment: 3,206 (2,971 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts college
• Distinctions: 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; one of the country’s top liberal arts college; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; over 200 student organizations; 47 major fields of study; 29 NCAA Division III varsity teams
• GPA, SAT and ACT graph for Wesleyan

Williams College

• Location: Williamstown, Massachusetts
• Enrollment: 2,150 (2,093 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private liberal arts colleges
• Distinctions: often first or second in national rankings of the best liberal arts colleges; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; 7 to 1 student/faculty ratio; endowment well over $1 billion; students enrolled in more than 150 off-campus study programs; 32 varsity athletic teams

Yale University

• Location: New Haven, Connecticut
• Enrollment: 12,458 (5,472 undergraduates)
• Type of Institution: private university
• Distinctions: 6 to 1 student/faculty ratio; highly ranked among the nation’s top universities; member of the Ivy League; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; membership in the Association of American Universities for strong research programs; endowment over $16 billion; 35 varsity athletic teams