What Is a Good GPA?
On the 4.0 scale, a 3.0 (B average) is generally considered solid, a 3.5 strong, and 3.7 or higher excellent. What counts as good depends on your goals.
GPA ranges in plain terms
| GPA | Letter average | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | A | Straight A's. The top of the unweighted scale. |
| 3.7-3.9 | A- | Excellent. Competitive for selective colleges and top scholarships. |
| 3.5-3.6 | B+ / A- | Strong. Meets most honors and scholarship cutoffs. |
| 3.0-3.4 | B | Solid. Meets the minimum for many colleges and programs. |
| 2.5-2.9 | B- / C+ | Fair. Some doors are open, but competitive programs are harder. |
| 2.0-2.4 | C | The usual minimum to stay in good standing in college. |
| below 2.0 | below C | Academic probation at many colleges. |
Is a 3.0 GPA good?
A 3.0 is a B average. It is a common minimum for scholarships, internships and graduate programs, and it is accepted at many colleges. It is below the typical range at selective schools.
Is a 3.5 GPA good?
Yes. A 3.5 is between a B+ and an A- average. In college it often reaches the dean's list and the lowest Latin honors level. In high school it is competitive for many four-year colleges, though highly selective schools usually see higher numbers.
Is a 4.0 GPA good?
A 4.0 unweighted GPA means straight A's, the highest possible on that scale. On a weighted scale, a 4.0 can mean a mix of A's and B's in advanced classes, so always check which scale is meant.
Good for what?
- Selective colleges: admitted students typically have unweighted GPAs of 3.7 or higher, plus a demanding course load.
- Most four-year colleges: a 3.0 or higher keeps many options open.
- Graduate school: many programs list 3.0 as a minimum; competitive programs expect more.
- Jobs: some employers screen for 3.0 or 3.5 on applications for new graduates.
Find your number with the GPA calculator, or see the full GPA scale.