A GPA of 3.0 or above is generally considered good. A 3.5+ is excellent and can open doors to scholarships and graduate programs. Anything below 2.0 may put you on academic probation at most colleges.
The average college GPA in the United States is around 3.1. However, averages vary by major — STEM fields tend to average lower (around 2.8–3.0) while humanities and education majors often average higher.
Cumulative GPA is the overall average of all your grades across every semester you've attended. It is calculated by dividing your total grade points by your total credit hours — this calculator does it automatically as you add semesters.
Latin honors at most universities require: Cum Laude ≥ 3.5, Magna Cum Laude ≥ 3.7, and Summa Cum Laude ≥ 3.9. Exact cutoffs vary by school, so check your institution's policy.
On an unweighted 4.0 scale, the maximum GPA is 4.0 (all A grades). Some high schools use a weighted scale that goes up to 5.0, giving extra points for AP or honors classes. College GPAs are almost always on a 4.0 scale.
Focus on high-credit courses since they have more impact on your GPA. Retake courses where you scored poorly if your school allows grade replacement. Prioritize upcoming assignments, attend office hours, and use this calculator to track what grades you need to hit your target.