What’s a “Good” GPA in College?

It depends.

I’ve had students ask me this many times. It’s very hard to nail down the answer to this question. A “good” grade point average (GPA) can depend on different things so it’s hard to compare apples-apples.

1. College major and class rigor
   *Nursing is a difficult major in college and most nursing program’s admission standards are very high, strict, and competitive.
   *A 3.5 GPA in Nursing could be viewed as “better than” a 3.5 in English because of the difficulty/rigor of the classes within the major.
2. What is most other people’s GPA?
   *If everyone in your major has a 3.5 average and you’re getting a 2.9, then a 2.9 might not be a “good” GPA.
   *But if your major is very difficult and most people have a 2.8 GPA, then a 2.9 is a “good” GPA.
3. What is needed: to stay in good academic standing, graduate, get an internship, study abroad, get a great job after graduation, apply to graduate school?
   *You will want to find out what the GPA requirements are for the things I listed above because they could all be different. Then, you can answer for yourself if a certain GPA is “good” or not.
   *For example, perhaps you’re a Business major and your school requires the following:

• Academic Probation is anything under a 2.0 overall GPA.
• You must have a 2.5 overall GPA to graduate.
• Employers require a 2.75 GPA to apply to their internship programs
• Studying abroad programs require a 2.7 GPA to apply.
• Most really GREAT jobs are going to students with 3.75 overall GPAs
• The MBA (Masters in Business Administration) program that you might do requires a 3.0 college GPA in order to apply.

You need to know what the GPA requirements are for your major, your interests, internship opportunities, hiring trends, graduation school requirements so that you set yourself up for success and know what it takes to magnify and multiply your opportunities to save yourself time and money. So, in the major [example] listed above, a 3.0 GPA might be “good enough” for you and your goals but for someone else, their idea of “good enough” will be different.

At the end of the day, are you giving your best to the classes? If you are, then be proud of that! Your journey is one only you can walk. You do you. What’s “good” for you? You know you better than I do. None of us are going through all the things you are. None of us are balancing all the things you are. Walk your walk, honey!

If you have any questions, reach out to me! I’d love to talk more and help you navigate college with more ease and less anxiety and frustration. With my expertise, I can save you time and money. Everyone wants that! (Subscribe to my blog so you can get more tips on saving time, money, hassle, and frustration.)

All my love,
LouAnna