Average College GPA: How Do Your Grades Stack Up? (2023)

Over the last 30 years, the average college GPA has risen at every type of college.However, private schools have seen a greater increase than public schools, which Rojstaczer suggests is the result of rising tuition costs and high-achieving students pressuring professors to give high grades.

Individual university grading policies can dramatically affect students’ GPAs. For example, until 2014, Princeton University had a policy of “grade deflation,”which mandated that, in a given class, a maximum of only 35% of students could receive A grades. At other universities, such as Harvard, an A is the mostcommonly awarded gradeon campus, resulting in higher average undergraduate GPAs and a reputation for gradeinflation.

Additional factors, such as student preparedness for college-level work and the influence of graduate teaching assistants in the grading process, also influence each university’s average GPA.

Why Is GPA Important?

As an underclassman, you may encounter academic programs or majors that accept only students who meet a minimum GPA requirement. Merit scholarships often have similar GPA cut-offs. Once you’ve gained entry into a selective academic program or earned a merit scholarship, you will likely have to maintain a certain GPAto remain in good standing.

A high GPA comes with additional benefits. Academic honor societies such asPhi Beta Kappadistribute invitations based on GPA, and on graduation day, Latin honors are awarded to seniors with the highest overall GPAs. On the other hand, a low GPA puts you at risk ofacademic probation, which can potentially lead to expulsion.

Your college GPA is a long-lasting measure of your academic performance in college. Manygraduate programshavestringent GPA requirements, and employers often consider GPA when evaluating potential hires. Your GPA will remain significant even after graduation day, so it’s important to start keeping track of the number early in your college career.

What Is a 'Good GPA'?

The minimum GPA required for admission to most graduate programs is between 3.0 and 3.5, so many students aim for a GPA of 3.0 or above. When assessing the strength of your GPA, you should consider the influence of grade inflation or deflation at your school as well as the rigor of your chosen major.

Ultimately, yourGPA represents your personal academic experience. Thebest and most valuable way to determine how well you’re doing is to check your course grades regularly and meet with professors to discuss your performance. Commit to improving your grades every semester and you’ll soon send your GPA on an upward trajectory.