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What Is a Reach School? What Is a Match School? What Is a Safety School? Wikimedia Commons By Allen Grove Allen Grove Facebook Twitter College Admissions Expert Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT Dr. Allen Grove is an Alfred University English professor and a college admissions expert with over 20 years of experience helping students transition to college. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on August 14, 2020 You don't need straight "A" grades to get into a great college or university. The schools below all admit some students with grades in the "B" range. Keep in mind that these are not schools for weak students: "B" averages tend to be on the low end of the students who get in, and nearly all of these schools admit almost no students with "C" averages. The schools are listed in alphabetical order. Alfred University Photo Credit: Allen Grove Location: Alfred, New York What Makes it Special?: high ranking for value; small class size; exceptional programs in ceramic art and ceramic engineering; membership in Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences; feel of a small private college with the breadth of a comprehensive university Admissions: A "B" average and 1000 on the SAT will put you on target for Alfred. Learn More: Alfred University Profile Arcadia University Five Furlongs / Flickr Location: Glenside, Pennsylvania What Makes it Special?: small classes; one of the best study abroad programs in the country; the historic landmark, Gray Towers Castle Admissions: A "B" average and 1000 on the SAT will put you at the lower end of the admitted student range. Learn More: Arcadia University Profile Beloit College Robin Zebrowski / Flickr Location: Beloit, Wisconsin What Makes it Special?: small classes; excellent financial aid; two museums on campus; high percentage of alums earn a PhD; curriculum emphasizes experiential learning, fieldwork, interdisciplinary study, and independent study Admissions: SAT and ACT scores are optional. Successful applicants tend to have a "B" or higher GPA. Learn More: Beloit College Profile Birmingham Southern College goforchris / Flickr Location: Birmingham, Alabama What Makes it Special?: 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio; top-ranked liberal arts college in Alabama; four-week January term for experiential learning; good grant aid; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Admissions: A 21 on the ACT and a "B" average will be at the lower end of the range for admission. Learn More: Birmingham-Southern College Profile Butler University PALNI Libraries / Flickr Location: Indianapolis, Indiana What Makes it Special?: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 20; good financial aid; attractive 290-acre campus; over 140 student organizations; Butler University Bulldogs compete in the NCAA Division I Horizon League Admissions: A "B" average is a little bit of a stretch for Butler (although some do get in), but a "B+" average and 1050 on the SAT and 22 on the ACT will put you in the lower range for the school. Learn More: Butler University Profile Champlain College Nightspark / Wikimedia Commons Location: Burlington, Vermont What Makes it Special?: Beautiful location on Lake Champlain; innovative curriculum that weaves together the liberal arts with pre-professional training; good financial aid Admissions: Some students get in with a "B" average and a 1000 SAT. Learn More: Champlain College Profile College of Charleston mogollon_1 / Flickr Location: Charleston, South Carolina What Makes it Special?: historic town and rich history dating to 1770; 13 to 1 student/faculty ratio; public liberal arts college; great value Admissions: You'll need a "B" average and 1000 on the SAT to be within the range of most admitted students. Learn More: College of Charleston Profile Cornell College courtesy of Cornell College Location: Mount Vernon, Iowa What Makes it Special?: creative one-class-at-a-time curriculum; attractive and historic campus; Phi Beta Kappa membership Admissions: A "B" average and 20 on the ACT are at the lower end of the admitted student range. Learn More: Cornell College Profile Eckerd College Photo Credit: Allen Grove Location: St. Petersburg, Florida What Makes it Special?: waterfront campus near one of Florida's nicest beaches; good financial aid; strong programs in marine science and environmental studies; featured in Loren Pope's highly-regarded Colleges That Change Lives; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strong liberal arts and sciences Admissions: A "B" average and 1000 combined SAT score will place you at the lower range of students who are admitted. Learn More: Eckerd College Profile The Evergreen State College Greg Dunlap / Flickr Location: Olympia, Washington What Makes it Special?: A+ rating by the Sierra Club for sustainability efforts; affordable public liberal arts college; innovative interdisciplinary curriculum with written evaluations, not grades Admissions: A "B-" high school GPA and a 950 on the SAT (or 19 on the ACT) will put you in range for admission. Learn More: The Evergreen State College Profile Flagler College Photo by Allen Grove Location: St. Augustine, Florida What Makes it Special?: stunning campus architecture featuring the handiwork of Louis Tiffany, George Maynard, Virgilio Tojetti and Thomas Edison; major recent campus upgrades and expansions such as the new student center and total renovation of the art building; one of the top Florida colleges Admissions: You'll want a 1000 or higher combined SAT score and a "B" average to be in range for admission. Learn More: Flagler College Profile Goucher College Photo Credit: Allen Grove Location: Towson, Maryland What Makes it Special?: featured in Loren Pope's well-regarded Colleges That Change Lives; 11 to 1 student / faculty ratio; chapter of the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; robust study abroad program with financial support for students; test-optional admissions; new $48 million Athenaeum with a state-of-the-art library, classrooms, an art gallery, the campus radio station, a forum for performances and discussions, a café, and many other spaces for enhancing student life Admissions: SAT and ACT scores aren't required, but you'll want a "B" average at the minimum. Learn More: Goucher College Profile Guilford College Parkram412 / Wikipedia Location: Greensboro, North Carolina What Makes it Special?: featured in Loren Pope's well-regarded Colleges That Change Lives; ties to Quaker Friends; rich history as one of the first coeducational institutions in the country and as a station on the Underground Railroad; strong green efforts; excellent educational value; interesting interdisciplinary majors such as forensic biology, forensic accounting and peace studies Admissions: While most admitted students are in the "B+" to "A" range, some get in with "B" and "B-" averages. SAT and ACT scores are optional. Learn More: Guilford College Profile Ithaca College Allen Grove Location: Ithaca, New York What Makes it Special?: close to Ithaca's vibrant cultural scene; well-regarded music and communications programs; strong business and science programs; high four-year graduation rate; stunning views of Lake Cayuga and Cornell University Admissions: SAT and ACT scores are optional. A "B" average is at the bottom end of the range for admission. Learn More: Ithaca College Profile Knox College iagoarchangel / Flickr Location: Galesburg, Illinois What Makes it Special?: 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio; rich history that begins with its 1837 founding by anti-enslavement reformers; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Admissions: Almost all students admitted to Knox have "A" or "B" averages. The SAT and ACT are optional. Learn More: Knox College Profile Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts *BPG* / Flickr Location: North Adams, Massachusetts What Makes it Special?: public liberal arts college -- excellent price for a small college with a 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio; attractive location in the Berkshire Mountains; emphasis on hands-on learning Admissions: A "B-" average and 950 on the SAT will put you in range for admission to MCLA. Learn More: Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Profile Moravian College Incandescere's Gallery / Flickr Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania What Makes it Special?: attractive campus in historic Bethlehem; full-tuition Comenius Medallion scholarships; strong music program Admissions: Successful applicants tend to have a "B" or higher GPA and SAT score (RW+M) of 950 or better. Learn More: Moravian College profile Morehouse College Toricr8zy / Wikimedia Commons Location: Atlanta, Georgia What Makes it Special?: highly ranked historically Black college for men; 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio; attended by Martin Luther King Jr., Maynard Jackson, Spike Lee and many other world-changing African Americans; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for its strong liberal arts and sciences Admissions: With a "B-" high school GPA and SAT score of 900 or better you'll be within the range of admitted students for Morehouse. Learn More: Morehouse College Profile Ramapo College of New Jersey Copyright Ramapo College Location: Mahwah, New Jersey What Makes it Special?: public liberal arts college; good value; young college with many modern facilities; popular programs in Business Administration, Communication Studies, Nursing and Psychology Admissions: It's possible to get in with a "B" average although a "B+" will be better. The college tends to look for SAT scores above 1000. Learn More: Ramapo College Profile Randolph College Allen Grove Location: Lynchburg, Virginia What Makes it Special?: 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 12; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strong liberal arts and sciences; high marks for student engagement; attractive campus with red-brick buildings Admissions: A 950 on the SAT and "B" average will put you at the lower end of the range for admitted students. Learn More: Randolph College Profile Ripon College Photo courtesy of Ripon College Location: Ripon, Wisconsin What Makes it Special?: Phi Beta Kappa membership; high retention and graduation rates; generous financial aid; excellent value; Collaborative Learning Center provides valuable support for students who need a little extra help Admissions: To get in, you'll probably need a "B" average and an ACT composite of 19 or better. Learn More: Ripon College profile St. Mary's College of Maryland Elvert Barnes / Flickr Location: St. Mary's City, Maryland What Makes it Special?: historic and beautiful riverfront location; personal liberal arts college atmosphere with low public tuition; 12 to 1 student/faculty ratio; Phi Beta Kappa membership for strong liberal arts curriculum Admissions: A "B+" average will be better than a "B" but some "B" students do get in. SAT should be over 1000. Learn More: St. Mary's College Profile Spelman College waynetaylor / Flickr Location: Atlanta, Georgia What Makes it Special?: Top ratings for fostering social mobility; highly ranked women's college; member of the Atlanta University Center, a consortium of historically Black colleges; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio; strong liberal arts curriculum Admissions: At the least, you'll have a 950 or higher SAT and a GPA of "B" or better. Learn More: Spelman College profile Stephens College Photo courtesy of Stephens College Location: Columbia, Missouri What Makes it Special?: well regarded women's college; excellent value for a private liberal arts college; 10 to 1 student/faculty ratio with an average class size of 13; strong programs in the performing arts and pre-professional fields such as business and health; located in one of the country's best college towns Admissions: To be in the typical range for admission, you'll want a 19 on the ACT and a "B" or higher average. Learn More: Stephens College Profile University of California-Merced r_neches / Flickr Location: Merced, California What Makes it Special?: first new research university of the 21st century; strengths in science and engineering; up-and-coming school in the University of California system; excellent green efforts Admissions: Anything below a solid "B" and you're unlikely to be admitted. Combined SAT scores should be above 900. Learn More: UC Merced Profile University of Hawaii at Manoa Daniel Ramirez / Flickr Location: Manoa, Hawaii What Makes it Special?: diverse student body; highly ranked programs in astronomy, oceanography, cancer research, and Pacific Island and Asian studies; NCAA Division I Western Athletic Conference; only college in Hawaii to have a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Admissions: A "B" average and 1000 on the SAT or 20 on the ACT will put you in range for admission. Learn More: University of Hawaii at Manoa Profile University of Mary Washington Photo Credit: Allen Grove Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia What Makes it Special?: Average class size of 21 students; liberal arts college educational environment with low state tuition; high rate of retention and student satisfaction; attractive campus; impressive number of Peace Corps alumni Admissions: Some students get in with a "B" average, although a "B+" will be better; SAT should be 1000 or higher Learn More: University of Mary Washington Profile University of Maryland-Baltimore County ampg7 / Flickr Location: Baltimore, Maryland What Makes it Special?: located with easy access to Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Washington D.C.; #1 position in the U.S. News & World Report ranking of "up-and-coming national universities"; good blend of the advantages of small colleges and large universities; NCAA Division I athletics in the America East Conference; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa Admissions: A "B" will be the minimum GPA for serious consideration for admission, and you'll de best with an SAT score above 1100. Learn More: UMBC Profile University of Montevallo Matt Orton Location: Montevallo, Alabama What Makes it Special?: small liberal arts college feeling with inexpensive state tuition; beautiful historic campus; strong student-faculty interaction Admissions: You'll want a "B" average and a 19 on the ACT to be on target for admission. Learn More: University of Montevallo Profile University of Pacific Great Valley Center Image Bank / Flickr Location: Stockton, California What Makes it Special?: chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; located an easy drive to San Francisco, Sacramento, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe; unusual breadth of academic options for a small college Admissions: Some students get in with a "B" average, but a "B+" will put you more in the range for admission. You'll want a combined SAT score above 1000. Learn More: University of the Pacific Profile Valparaiso University SD Dirk / Flickr Location: Valparaiso, Indiana What Makes it Special?: remarkable academic breadth for a school of around 3,000 undergraduates; Division I athletics; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa for strengths in the liberal arts and sciences Admissions: A 20 on the ACT and "B" average will put you at the lower end of the range for admitted students. Learn More: Valparaiso University Profile Warren Wilson College Jerry Michalski / Flickr Location: Asheville, North Carolina What Makes it Special?: beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains; excellent educational value; strong environmental efforts; interesting curriculum with requirements in community service and the campus work program Admissions: You'll want at least a "B" average and 1000 SAT to have a decent shot at getting in. Learn More: Warren Wilson College Profile Washington College Photo Courtesy of Washington College Location: Chestertown, Maryland What Makes it Special?: attractive campus on the Chesapeake Bay; founded under the patronage of George Washington; chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; 11 to 1 student/faculty ratio Admissions: Washington College has test-optional admissions, so don't worry about the SAT or ACT. For grades, a "B" average is at the bottom end of the acceptance range. Learn More: Washington College Profile Wesleyan College doll damned / Flickr Location: Macon, Georgia What Makes it Special?: excellent value; 8 to 1 student/faculty ratio; average class size of 20; first college in the world chartered to grant degrees to women; low cost and excellent financial aid; attractive campus with Georgian style buildings Admissions: Open admissions, but students typically have a "B-" or higher GPA and SAT score above 950. Learn More: Wesleyan College Profile Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Grove, Allen. "Great Colleges for Students with "B" Averages." ThoughtCo, Apr. 5, 2023, thoughtco.com/great-colleges-for-b-students-4122495. Grove, Allen. (2023, April 5). Great Colleges for Students with "B" Averages. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/great-colleges-for-b-students-4122495 Grove, Allen. "Great Colleges for Students with "B" Averages." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/great-colleges-for-b-students-4122495 (accessed May 28, 2023). copy citation