When selecting a college, students usually look for an institution with impressive degree programs or a good reputation. However, college applicants must also determine what is a good GPA for their chosen college or university as well as what is a bad GPA. In most cases, a high GPA is somewhere between 3.50 and 4.00, and a low GPA is somewhere between 1.50 and 2.00. Understanding what constitutes a good grade point average (GPA) is important. In fact, it may help an applicant figure out whether he or she has a realistic chance of getting accepted to a particular college or university.
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What Is a Good GPA?
The answer to the question of a good college GPA will differ depending on your unique situation. Many different factors can influence the answer, including:
- Which college(s) you aspire to attend after completing your high school career
- How rigorous the combined total of your high school coursework is
- Whether or not your GPA is weighted
- How competitive admissions are at the college of your choice (i.e., the grade point average of admitted students)
What Is the National Average GPA in the USA?
US News gives us some interesting statistics on typical high school grade point averages. The average GPA for female students in high school is 3.10, while the average male student’s GPA is 2.90. These statistics on grade point averages give you a realistic benchmark for evaluating your own GPA, but think of this as a starting point. There are additional considerations you will want to keep in mind such as the issue of weighted or unweighted GPA. If your school uses weighted GPAs, comparing your weighted GPA against these benchmarks can give you the wrong impression about where you stand.
How Admissions Counselors Standardize High School Grade Point Averages
The concept of weighted GPAs can make it challenging to compare some students’ work against the national average. This is because the rating scales are different. To compare a weighted GPA against the average and find out whether you have a good GPA, it’s necessary to understand how your chosen school computes high school grade point averages.
The National Center for Education Statistics and some academic institutions use Carnegie units to create a standardized system to calculate grade point average. This system is based on classes featuring 120 hours of classroom instruction. To compute the number of Carnegie units you’ve taken, you’ll need to have access to both your grades and the number of course credits for each class. The NCES published an article called “How is grade point average calculated?” that has more information you may find helpful on this topic.
What’s a Good GPA if You’re Seeking Admission to a Selective Academic Institution?
If you want to attend an Ivy League school, you’ll want your cumulative GPA to be as close to 4.0 as possible. If your high school uses a weighted system that includes additional credits for more challenging course material such as advanced placement or IB classes, the you’ll want your GPA to be over 4.0.
A perfect 4.0 GPA is not essential for admittance to these prestigious schools. Your odds of getting into to a highly selective school are still quite good if your GPA is above 3.7. While it is possible to attend a selective school if your GPA is below 3.7, you’ll have to show impressive results to college admissions officers in other areas of your application.
Essentially, the definition of a good GPA varies by circumstance and isn’t the same for everyone.
What is a Good GPA for the Ivy League?
The United States is home to eight universities known collectively as the Ivy League. These competitive universities were some of the first institutions of higher learning in North America. Several were founded before the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.
The Ivy League schools are Harvard, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania. These universities have some of the largest endowments of any educational facilities in the world, and their cumulative GPA expectations are just as impressive. For example, the average GPA for a student admitted to Harvard University is actually above 4.00, which is particularly impressive since most high schools operate on a GPA scale that only goes to 4.00.
A GPA higher than 4.00 represents superior academic performance. It means that a student has participated in advanced classes in high school such as Advanced Placement (AP classes) or honors classes and may have also submitted extra credit projects. High school students interested in attending competitive colleges like Harvard or any of the Ivy League schools will need to score solid grades in rigorous classes to achieve a GPA at the very top of the traditional 4.00 scale.
What is a Good GPA for an American Public Ivy?
Another tier of top schools in the United States is known as the Public Ivies. These top schools have reputations that match (or nearly match) the traditional Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale. There are eight original Public Ivy schools in the United States. Examples include the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the College of William and Mary, and the University of Vermont.
Additional Public Ivies include Miami University in Ohio, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Virginia. Some consider the University of California at Los Angeles and the University of California at Berkley to be the ninth and tenth members of the nation’s Public Ivies. The Public Ivies are highly competitive top colleges known for exceptional academic performance. Average GPAs for students who are accepted are often as high as they are with the traditional Ivies.
The average GPA for students who are accepted to the College of William and Mary is 4.24. This is actually higher than Harvard University, which shows an average high school GPA of 4.18 for incoming freshmen. Achieving a 4.00 or higher GPA in high school usually means receiving A’s in virtually every class and also taking challenging classes that hold more weight.
Class Rank and School Reputation May Impact the Quality of a Student’s GPA
In most cases, a 4.00 GPA is considered to be excellent. However, the number of students from a student’s high school who also have 4.00 GPAs may affect whether that score is considered good or average. GPAs of 3.5 from high schools with a reputation for difficult classes and rigorous teaching standards may indicate better preparation for college than a 4.0 GPA at a school where a significant portion of the graduating class has the highest GPA.
Good GPAs for College Admissions Have Changed
Most students who apply to college are only aware of what their chosen college requires for a minimum GPA. However, it may surprise 21st century students to learn that average GPAs have increased significantly over the last several decades. GPAs published by ZDNet suggest that the average high school GPA in the 1950s was 2.52, but by the 1990s, the average GPA was up to 3.11.
The study referenced by ZDNet revealed that average GPAs for public and private schools rose in tandem for several decades, but average GPAs at private schools started outpacing public schools by the end of the 20th century. As of the early 1990s, the average GPA for students at all schools across the country was 2.93. That average had increased to 3.11 by the mid-2000s.
What do these averages tell the college student of tomorrow? In the next few decades, college applicants may see average GPAs as well as GPA requirements continue to increase. Other factors for college admissions requirements, including specific classes, test scores, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities may also continue to become increasingly important. Essentially, it may require a more difficult course load and better grades in the future in order for students to begin their college career with a good GPA.
Increasing a Low GPA with Good Grades
Students who have future dreams of attending college but who have low GPAs have some options available for increasing their grade point averages before their final grades are issued. One route students may take is to enroll in easier classes. An A grade in these basic courses will increase the student’s overall GPA prior to college admissions.
However, this “good grades” method isn’t always the answer. Grade inflation may help one student who has a GPA that is only slightly lower than the requirement for his or her chosen school, but it may backfire if the student takes too many easy classes. Substituting a few easy classes may help a student increase his or her GPA to 3.00 from 2.99.
However, substituting a whole slate of challenging courses for easy classes may make it more difficult to gain college acceptance, particularly if the school has a strict acceptance policy. It’s also important that students make sure they take all of the classes required of their future college. A student shouldn’t take an easy physical education class in place of a math class if that math class is required by the student’s college of choice, for example. At the end of the day, it may be more advantageous for students to develop better study habits to achieve good grades in more difficult classes.
Importance of a Rigorous Curriculum Versus a High GPA
An impressive high school GPA when a majority of the student’s classes are easy isn’t nearly as impressive as a slightly lower GPA that comes from a schedule packed with honors and Advanced Placement courses. Moreover, a student with a GPA that’s slightly below average may still receive a college acceptance letter in the mail if he or she takes difficult and demanding high school courses.
A school guidance counselor may be one of the best allies a student has in choosing an appropriate high school curriculum. It may benefit a high school student to speak with his or her counselor to determine what type of classes might be necessary to get into to a particular school. When deciding whether to accept students, admissions officers at a particular college may place a greater emphasis on a rigorous curriculum than an ultra-high GPA.
Some programs may also require that students take extra classes in certain areas and receive grades in those classes that are considered good or excellent. A degree in a STEM field may require that students take four years of math and four years of science rather than the traditional three and may reject a student who has a high GPA but only three years of math and science.
Converting a 5.0 GPA Scale to a 4.0 GPA Scale
Many high schools operate with a GPA calculation that tops out at 4.00, and most schools list their application requirements on numbers based on that same scale. However, some schools grade their students on a GPA scale that reaches 5.0, and other schools only give out letter grades on report cards. Fortunately, it’s possible to determine if a non-traditional GPA is equivalent to a traditional high school GPA by performing some simple calculations.
To determine a student’s score on a 4.0 scale, a student should multiply all classes where an A was earned by four, classes where a B average was earned by three, and classes where a C was earned by two. After multiplying all letter grades by four, three, or two, the student will divide the combined result by the overall number of classes taken.
Students with questions about converting their GPAs can usually speak with a guidance counselor or other academic advisor for assistance with the calculation. Many college applications will require that the student submits their GPA on a 4.0 scale, so it’s usually a good idea to perform the calculation before starting the application process online. Still, admissions officers may also be able to help in some cases, and students can consider using a GPA conversion table.
Do Open Admissions Mean No GPA Requirement?
Some colleges operate on an open admissions policy. Often state schools, these colleges boast a high acceptance rate, but these policies don’t necessarily mean that anyone can get in. Open admissions policies for colleges usually require that a student has a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission, but this open admissions policy may also have a GPA requirement and a list of classes that a student must take to qualify for admission.
For some schools, open-admission means that anyone who meets the minimum application requirements will receive a letter of acceptance. Those requirements may include a minimum GPA. It’s important that students who are interested in a school that has an open admissions policy don’t assume that they can perform poorly in their classes and still gain acceptance to the school of their choice.
Despite your college major, getting into an excellent college with a renowned reputation usually means graduating high school with a good GPA and high test scores. Anyone interested in getting into a university like Harvard should strive for a perfect GPA of 4.00 or above. Still, an impressive high school GPA isn’t the only admissions factor taken into consideration by the nation’s best schools. Extracurricular activities, the rigor of a student’s curriculum, standardized test scores, and other application materials can also make the difference in receiving a letter of acceptance or denial–good GPA or not.
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FAQs
What is a good GPA in high school for college? ›
What is a good GPA? The average high school GPA in the US is 3.0, which also accounts for roughly 35% of students who don't end up applying for college. However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0.
What is a believable GPA? ›What Is a Good GPA in High School? The average high school GPA is around 3.0, or a B average. This also happens to be the minimum requirement for many college scholarships, though a 3.5 or higher is generally preferable.
What is an impressive GPA in high school? ›In most cases, a high GPA is somewhere between 3.50 and 4.00, and a low GPA is somewhere between 1.50 and 2.00. Understanding what constitutes a good grade point average (GPA) is important.
Is a 2.79 GPA good in high school? ›To elaborate, the national average for GPA is around a 3.0, so a 2.7 puts you below average nationally. Keep in mind the 3.0 national average represents all students, not just students applying to college, so the average GPA of students admitted to colleges is higher than the national average.
How rare is a 4.0 GPA in high school? ›The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 4.0 is far above average. At many schools, a 4.0 is the absolute highest GPA you can earn.
How much can straight A's bring up GPA high school? ›If you have a 3.0 GPA and 15 credit hours, by earning straight A's during your next (15 credit) semester, you can bump your GPA to a 3.5. However, if you have already earned 60 credit hours and have a 3.0 GPA a straight-A semester will only bump your GPA to a 3.2.
Is a 2.90 GPA good? ›A 2.9 GPA is a grade point average that falls between a B- and a C+ on the 4.0 grading scale commonly used in the United States. It represents a slightly below-average academic performance, indicating that the student has maintained mostly C+ grades, with some grades falling below or above that range.
Is a 3.33333 GPA good? ›Is a 3.3 GPA good? Assuming an unweighted GPA, this means that you've earned a solid B+ on average across all of your classes. A 3.3 GPA is above the national average for high school students, but it's not high enough to get you accepted to schools that are very selective.
Is a 2.75 GPA good or bad? ›The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 2.7 is below average, and so you may have to work harder to catch up.
Does senior year GPA matter? ›The important thing to know is that colleges do look at your senior year grades. So, a weaker performance in senior year than in previous grades can impact your application and college admissions decisions.
What GPA scale do most high schools use? ›
High schools often report GPA (grade point average) on a 4.0 scale. The top grade is an A, which equals 4.0. You calculate your overall GPA by averaging the scores of all your classes. This is a common scale used at most colleges, and many high schools also use it.
What GPA is required for Harvard? ›You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Harvard, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
How to raise your GPA? ›- Attend Classes Regularly. As obvious as this sounds, it's a very important step. ...
- Avoid Classes You Don't Need. ...
- Reach Out to Your Instructors. ...
- Turn in Assignments on Time. ...
- Join a Study Group. ...
- Do a Weekly Study Review. ...
- Set Goals for Yourself. ...
- Make Use of Educational Resources.
A 2.8 GPA means that you've earned mostly Bs and B-s in your classes, assuming an unweighted GPA. You're below the national average for high school GPA, so you can expect to be somewhat limited in the number of schools where you have a high likelihood of acceptance. 6.29% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.8.
What is the average GPA in America? ›The average high school GPA in the US is 3.0, which also accounts for roughly 35% of students who don't end up applying for college. However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0.
What is the highest GPA in the world? ›Normally, you would expect the highest score to be the 'perfect' 4.0 score, however, there are several things that a student can do to receive an even higher score. For example, one student actually managed to get a 10.03 GPA score. He did this by taking 17 advanced classes at his school, which awarded him many points.
What GPA do colleges look at? ›Colleges will look at either weighted or unweighted GPAs in your application. They do tend to prefer weighted, because it gives more information about the difficulty of your classes, but don't worry if your school uses an unweighted scale.
Can you have a 4.0 GPA without all A's? ›On the 4.0 scale, an unweighted 4.0 GPA means perfection. You need straight As in every class—not even one A- is allowed.
Will one B ruin a 4.0 GPA high school? ›Your B will hardly make a dent in your GPA, and assuming that will be your only B by graduation, your GPA will be in the high 90th percentile even at the most competitive schools. College admissions is also holistic, so admissions readers will pay more attention to other parts of your profile than your one B.
Can your senior year boost your GPA? ›Yes! During any semester students have the opportunity to raise their GPA by earning top grades or grades that are increase over previous semesters.
How can I raise my high school GPA fast? ›
- Take the right classes. ...
- Pull up middle school grades. ...
- Go to summer school. ...
- Retake classes during the school year. ...
- Don't miss classes and participate consistently. ...
- Retake a class somewhere locally. ...
- Make time for extra studying. ...
- Get a tutor as soon as possible.
The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.8 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.8 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process.
Can I get into Princeton with a 2.9 GPA? ›The average high school GPA for admitted students at Princeton University is 3.9 on a 4.0 scale. (You can calculate your high school a GPA here.) This is a very competitive GPA, and Princeton University is clearly accepting students at the top of their high school class.
Can I get into a masters program with a 2.9 GPA? ›There is no universal minimum GPA for grad school. The minimum, when one is specified for admissions requirements, can vary by school and program. At many schools, admissions requirements for masters programs may specify a 3.0 GPA minimum, but some schools may accept applicants with lower GPAs.
Is a 3.3 GPA honor roll? ›Honor Roll GPA must equal a 3.30 or higher • High Honor Roll GPA must equal a 3.7 or higher • When calculating the Honor Roll GPA use the chart below and average out all letter grades.
Can I get into a PHD program with a 3.3 GPA? ›Most colleges like to see at least a 2.5 or a 3.0 from master's program applicants. Some programs set their minimums at 3.3 or higher. The minimum GPA for a doctoral program may start at 3.3. In addition to your overall score, the classes you took might be factored in as well.
How smart is a 3.3 GPA? ›A 3.3 GPA is significantly higher than the national average of 3.0. It's an excellent GPA that displays intelligence and a strong work ethic. However, if you can score more than this mark, you can ensure your chances of admission to your dream college.
Can I get into law school with a 2.7 GPA? ›We're here with good news: You can absolutely get into law school with a low GPA! Though your application process might look a bit different than those of students who received a high GPA, it is still absolutely an option for you.
Is a 2.0 GPA failing? ›A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher is in satisfactory academic standing.
Is a 1.9 a bad GPA? ›The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.9 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.9 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process.
What year does GPA matter most? ›
Your first year and sophomore year affect your cumulative GPA, which is important to most colleges. However, a solid academic record in your junior year is likely to carry more importance with an admissions committee.
Is it too late to raise my GPA senior year? ›Your senior grades really do matter. Colleges look at your overall grade point average (GPA) through all four years of high school. It's not too late to improve your GPA.
Does age affect GPA? ›It has been shown that children with a higher age at entry have a greater likelihood of having a GPA higher than the mean of their classmates.
What GPA scale is most common? ›The most common GPA structure is the 4.0 scale, in which an A equals 4.0 and an F equals 0.0. Some schools use a variation of that but amend it with a weighted scale that includes added credit for Advanced Placement or honors courses.
What GPA is all B's? ›A 3.0 would indicate a B average, a 2.0 a C average, a 1.0 a D, and a 0.0 an F. This scale does not take the levels of your courses into account. For example, if you're in all honors classes and earn a B average, you'll have the same GPA as someone in all low-level classes who has earned a B average.
What is your GPA if you have one A? ›| Grade Equivalence | |
|---|---|
| A | 4.00 |
| A- | 3.67 |
| B+ | 3.33 |
| B | 3.00 |
We do not set a minimum GPA, nor do we attempt to re-weight GPA's to any standard other than what a school provides. An applicant's complete secondary school transcript (not just the GPA or class rank, if they are provided) is evaluated during the admissions process.
What GPA do you need to get into med school? ›It is strongly suggested that you have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to gain acceptance to any medical school. However, this is a minimum value, and most applicants should have a mid-3.0 range GPA to be competitive.
What GPA is required for Yale? ›GPA Requirements
Yale University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.
Poor study habits are a common reason for a low GPA. Many students never learn how to study effectively, as it's not something many high schools teach. Therefore, it's worth taking some time to learn how to study.
How much will an F drop my GPA? ›
The failing grade will NOT calculate in your GPA, but it will still show on your transcript. On your transcript, an "E" will show to the right of your failing grade to mark the course as "Excluded". On your transcript, an "I" will show to the right of the second time you took the class, marking it as "Included".
Do AP classes raise your GPA? ›GPA Weight
At many high schools, honors and AP classes both offer more heavily weighted training compared to regular classes. While honors courses usually add 0.5 points to your GPA, AP classes often add 1 point. In other words, a 3.5 GPA would be boosted to a 4.0 in an honors class and a 4.5 in an AP class.
As you can see, the national overall average GPA is 3.0. But this might be deceptive: the average GPA in core subject areas is actually a bit lower (2.79), meaning the overall average is only brought up to 3.0 by the higher grades students receive in courses that are not part of the core curriculum.
Is a 2.8 GPA good for a senior in high school? ›The average GPA for graduating high school students is 3.0, which is a GPA that many colleges look for when choosing students. A 2.8 GPA is good enough to apply to a number of institutions, but to broaden how many colleges and universities you're eligible for, a 3.0 would be a great goal!
Is a 1.5 GPA bad in high school? ›Is a 1.5 GPA good? The answer is No. The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.5 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.5 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far.
What race has the highest GPA? ›Average GPA By Race
According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there are significant differences in average GPAs by race. In high school, Asian students had the highest average GPA at 3.52, followed by White students at 3.23, Hispanic students at 2.98, and Black students at 2.68.
Science majors tend to have lower GPAs on average, with chemistry being the major with the lowest average GPA. Meanwhile, education majors earn the highest GPAs on average. Why this disparity?
What is the most common GPA in America? ›The average GPA in US High Schools is 3.0. This number varies by gender – the average female GPA is 3.1 and the average male GPA is 2.9. The grade point average (GPA) was only 2.68 in 1990 and 2.94 in the year 2000. What is this?
Is 3.7 A bad GPA in high school? ›A 3.7 GPA stands for a Grade Point Average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A- average in your courses. A 3.7 GPA is considered to be a very good GPA and is often an indicator of strong academic performance.
Is a 2.93 GPA good in high school? ›A 2.9 GPA is equivalent to 84% or a B letter grade. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 2.9 is an okay GPA, just a tiny bit below average and with a few quick tips can easily be improved to stand out from the crowd.
Is a 1.7 GPA bad in high school? ›
Is a 1.7 GPA good? High School Students: The answer is No. The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.7 GPA puts you below that average.
Is a 3.5 GPA bad in high school? ›The national average GPA for high school graduates is 3.0, and many colleges and universities consider a 3.0 the competitive benchmark. A 3.5 GPA exceeds that number and matches the benchmark several more selective colleges use.
Does Harvard accept students with 3.7 GPA? ›Harvard does not have a minimum GPA requirement. However, Harvard is highly competitive, so it may be challenging to get in with a 3.7 GPA. The average GPA for entering Harvard students is 3.9.
Can I get into Yale with a 3.7 GPA? ›You should also have a 4.14 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Yale, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
What will an F do to a 3.8 GPA? ›It will lower your GPA, yes. Some colleges allow you to retake a course and have the new grade replace the old one in terms of the GPA, though the F still remains on your transcript. Check the rules of your college. If every grade you get other than that is an A, it will lower your GPA from 4.0 to 3.9.
Do colleges accept 2.9 GPA? ›Because a 2.9 GPA is so close to that benchmark, it demonstrates frequent above-average academic performance. A 2.9 GPA also means that you can apply to a number of colleges and universities and can reasonably expect admission to a sampling of them.
What GPA would all C's be? ›| Letter Grade | Percent Grade | 4.0 Scale |
|---|---|---|
| C+ | 77-79 | 2.3 |
| C | 73-76 | 2.0 |
| C- | 70-72 | 1.7 |
| D+ | 67-69 | 1.3 |
A 2.0 GPA is equivalent to 73-76% or a C letter grade.
How rare is a 3.0 GPA in high school? ›To elaborate, the national average for GPA is around a 3.0, so a 3.0 puts you right at average nationally. Keep in mind the 3.0 national average represents all students, not just students applying to college, so the average GPA of students admitted to colleges is higher than the national average.
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard? ›To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1580 SAT or a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.
What does a 3.0 GPA look like in high school? ›
A 3.0 GPA is equivalent to 83-86% or a B grade. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means you are right on target. With a bit of work you can improve your GPA and stand out from the crowd.