What Is a Good GPA? High School and College Guide

Everyone asks it at some point: is my GPA actually good? On the standard US 4.0 scale, a 3.0 (a B average) is generally considered solid, a 3.5 or higher is strong, and anything around 3.7 to 4.0 puts you near the top of most classes. But “good” depends on what you want the GPA for, and on how your school calculates it.

This guide explains what counts as a good GPA in high school and college, how weighted GPAs work, and how other countries grade instead. Want your exact number first? Use the free GPA & CGPA Calculator.

GPA, letter grade and percentage at a glance

Many US schools convert grades roughly like this. Exact cut-offs vary by school, so always check your own grading policy.

What is a good GPA in high school?

• 3.0 and above: a steady B average that keeps most college options open.
• 3.5 and above: strong, and competitive for many selective colleges and scholarships.
• 3.8 to 4.0+ (weighted): typical of applicants to the most selective universities, who usually also take advanced classes.

Colleges also look at how hard your classes were. A 3.7 with several AP, IB or honors courses can look better than a 4.0 in easier classes.

What is a good GPA in college?

• 3.0: a common minimum for internships, many graduate programs and some scholarships.
• 3.5: often around the cut-off for dean’s list or honors at many universities (policies vary).
• 3.7 and above: strong for competitive graduate, law or medical school applications, alongside test scores and experience.

Weighted vs unweighted GPA

An unweighted GPA uses the plain 4.0 scale, so an A is a 4.0 in every class. A weighted GPA gives extra points for harder classes, often on a 5.0 scale where an A in an AP or honors course counts as 5.0. That is why some students have GPAs above 4.0. When comparing, make sure you compare weighted with weighted and unweighted with unweighted.

How other countries grade

• UK: universities use degree classifications instead of GPA: First (usually 70%+), Upper Second or 2:1 (60–69%), Lower Second or 2:2 (50–59%) and Third (40–49%). A 2:1 or above is what many employers and master’s programs ask for.
• Australia: many universities use a 7-point GPA, where High Distinction = 7, Distinction = 6, Credit = 5 and Pass = 4. Around 5 or above is generally seen as good.
• Canada: it varies by province and university. Some use a 4.0 or 4.33 scale, others use percentages, so check your school’s conversion table.

How to raise your GPA

1. Focus on high-credit courses. A 4-credit class moves your GPA far more than a 1-credit one.
2. Know what you need on each final. The Final Grade Calculator shows the exact score you need.
3. Track weighted assignments. Use the Grade Calculator to see where you stand before it is too late.
4. Ask about grade replacement. Some colleges let a retaken course replace the original grade.

For the full step-by-step method, read How to calculate GPA.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 3.0 GPA good?

Yes. A 3.0 is a B average and meets the minimum for many internships, scholarships and graduate programs, though competitive options often look for 3.5 or higher.

Is a 3.5 GPA good in college?

Yes. A 3.5 is a strong college GPA and is often near the cut-off for dean’s list or honors at many universities.

Can your GPA be higher than 4.0?

Only on a weighted scale, where advanced classes earn extra points. On an unweighted 4.0 scale, 4.0 is the maximum.

What is a 3.7 GPA as a percentage?

Roughly 90–92%, an A− at many US schools. Conversions vary, so check your school’s grading scale.

Related: the Student Study Planner & GPA Tracker keeps your grades, deadlines and timetable in one Excel file.

Related guides

• What GPA Do You Need for the Dean’s List? (Requirements Explained)
• What GPA Do You Need for a Scholarship? (Typical Cut-Offs Explained)
• Weighted vs Unweighted GPA: What’s the Difference?

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