Is a 3.6 GPA a Good Grade Point Average?

If you're getting an unweighted GPA of 3.6, you're doing great. This grade point average (GPA) means you've been getting mostly A's in your classes. As long as you've challenged yourself in your courses, your grades are high enough that you have a good chance of being accepted to quite a few selective universities. The high school grade point average is around 3.0, or a GPA of B.

This is also the minimum requirement for many college scholarships, although 3.5 or more is generally preferred. So, what universities are likely to accept a 3.6 GPA? The answer is yes, 3.6 is well above the US average. There are many excellent state and private universities to choose from, where 3.6 is within the typical GPA range of accepted students. While 3.6 is a little low for highly selective colleges, it gives you a big break in many of the most selective schools in the US.

In the US, 3.6 equals 91%. We have analyzed student profiles at more than 1500 universities in the United States and the grade point average of incoming students. Keep in mind that the national average of 3.0 represents all students, not just those applying to college, so the average GPA for students admitted to universities is higher than the national average. For example, if the average freshman had a GPA of 3.6, you should also try to get a GPA of at least 3.6.Typically, students graduate cum laude (Latin for 'with praise') when they score a 3.5-3.7 average, magna cum laude (with high praise) when they score a 3.7-3.9 average, and summa cum laude (with the highest praise) when they score a 3.9 or higher average.

Your GPA combined with high test scores will allow you to find many college options that fit the experience you are looking for. For example, a recent art history graduate applying for a museum curator position might choose to disclose their GPA if it is particularly high (3.5 or higher). Overall, having a 3.6 GPA is an excellent achievement and puts you in an excellent position for college admissions and scholarships alike! With this grade point average, you have plenty of options when it comes to universities and scholarships.