What counts as a good GPA?
“Good” depends on what you want the GPA to do. A 3.3 is above the national average for high school graduates, comfortably meets most scholarship minimums, and opens doors at many four-year colleges. The same 3.3 would be below the typical range at the most selective universities, where nearly everyone admitted has close to straight A’s. So the useful questions are: how does my GPA compare with the average, and how does it compare with the places I am aiming for?
The average GPA
In the most recent national High School Transcript Study (2019), the average GPA of U.S. high school graduates was 3.11, up from 3.00 in 2009, as grades have drifted upward over time. That is an unweighted figure on the 4.0 scale. Average GPAs vary a lot by school, so your own school’s profile (which lists its GPA distribution) is a better local comparison. In college, averages also vary by school and major; STEM majors typically average lower than humanities.
How to judge your GPA against a college
Most colleges publish a Common Data Set. Section C11 shows what share of first-year students had high school GPAs of 4.0, 3.75–3.99, 3.50–3.74 and so on, and section C12 gives the average. If your GPA sits at or above where most admitted students fall, it is a strength for that college. If it sits below most of them, the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
Colleges often recalculate GPA their own way, typically unweighted and from core academic courses, and they read your transcript for rigor. A 3.7 with several AP classes can look stronger than a 3.9 with none.
Worked examples
- Is a 3.5 GPA good? In high school, yes: it is well above the 3.11 national average and means mostly A’s and B’s. It is competitive at many public universities and a long way from a barrier anywhere, though at highly selective colleges it would be below most admitted students. In college, a 3.5 is strong: it clears most graduate-school and employer screens and often qualifies for the dean’s list in a given term.
- Is a 3.0 good? It is a B average, close to the national high school average. Many scholarships and programs use 3.0 as a minimum, so it keeps doors open; a rising trend matters a lot here.
- What about colleges for a 3.0 GPA? Many four-year colleges admit most applicants with a 3.0, especially regional public universities. Use each college’s Common Data Set and the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard to find them. Community college with a transfer agreement is another strong route.
Tips if your GPA isn’t where you want it
- Trend beats average. Rising grades in harder classes tell admissions readers more than a flat number.
- Use the time left. The raise my GPA calculator shows how much you can realistically move it before applications.
- Balance with other strengths. A strong SAT or ACT score (see the SAT and ACT calculators), solid AP scores and a clear essay all add weight.
- Explain real setbacks. The Common App’s additional-information section is the place for a brief, factual note about illness or family circumstances.
Questions students ask
What is the average high school GPA?
The national average for 2019 graduates was 3.11 unweighted, according to the federal High School Transcript Study. Your school’s profile shows its own distribution.
Is a 3.8 GPA good?
Yes. A 3.8 unweighted means nearly all A’s. It is competitive at selective colleges, especially with challenging courses; at the most selective, many admitted students are at 3.9 or above.
Is a 2.5 GPA good?
It is below average, but many colleges admit students in this range, and community college transfer pathways are a strong option. Focus on an upward trend.
What GPA do you need for grad school?
Many graduate programs set a 3.0 minimum. Competitive programs, law schools and medical schools usually look for much higher, and publish their medians.
Should I compare weighted or unweighted GPA?
Unweighted, when comparing across schools. Weighting rules differ from school to school, so a weighted GPA only means something next to your school’s scale.
Sources
Results are estimates for planning. Your school, college or testing organization calculates your official numbers. UpMyGPA is not affiliated with College Board, ACT, LSAC or the AAMC.