Does GPA Matter in College? The Truth About Grades and Getting Ahead

Whether you enter the job market or enroll in a graduate program after college, GPA matters.

A good GPA can be a selling point to employers, demonstrating a strong work ethic. While the number of employers who assess college GPA during hiring is dropping, 56% of employers still screen college applicants using GPA, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

As a college student, you’ve probably wondered how much your GPA really matters. With late nights studying and stressing over exams, it’s natural to question if all that hard work is actually worth it in the end.

The short answer – yes, GPA still matters, especially right after graduation. But there’s much more nuance to the issue than a simple yes or no. Let’s dig into the details of how GPA can impact your future, when it’s most important, and strategies to ensure your GPA doesn’t hold you back.

Why GPA Matters for New Grads

GPA tends to matter most for recent college graduates who don’t yet have much work experience. In these cases, GPA acts as an indicator of your academic performance and abilities.

According to a 2023 survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 37% of employers still screen candidates based on GPA for entry-level roles. The median GPA cutoff was 30

So if your GPA is below a 3.0 some employers may automatically disqualify you when hiring for internships or entry-level jobs. That’s why it’s recommended to aim for a 3.0 GPA or higher while in college.

GPA can also impact your chances of getting into graduate school. Most master’s and PhD programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA just to apply. Top-ranked programs often look for GPAs of 3.5 or above.

The bottom line is that GPA provides concrete evidence of your academic abilities, which becomes especially important with limited work experience. So it pays off to keep your grades up as a student.

When GPA Matters Less

The good news is that your GPA becomes less important the farther out you get from college. Once you have a few years of professional experience under your belt, employers care far more about your work achievements.

In fact, only 28% of employers in the NACE survey considered GPA for candidates with over 5 years of experience. It’s simply not a priority compared to skills and work results.

This applies to graduate school as well. While GPA minimums still exist, programs evaluate working professionals more holistically. Your work experience, interview performance, and test scores take precedence over your college grades from years past.

So while GPA holds more weight in the short term, you have the power to render it meaningless over time by excelling in the workplace. In most cases, poor grades won’t doom your career forever.

Why Some Students Can Discount GPA

For a subset of students, GPA isn’t worth sweating over. Three instances where you may be able to discount GPA:

Only aiming to graduate: If you just want your diploma and don’t care about grad school or employment prospects, a 2.0+ GPA is likely sufficient. No need to stress for straight As.
Pursuing an in-demand major: For high-paying and competitive fields like nursing, engineering, and computer science, job opportunities may outweigh GPA. Focus more on gaining relevant skills.
Attending a top school: A lower GPA from an Ivy League or other prestigious university still holds weight with employers and grad schools. The school’s reputation offsets the GPA itself.

However, it’s generally wise to keep GPA a priority if possible. You never know when it could become relevant to your goals.

Strategies to Offset a Low College GPA

Don’t panic if you struggled to keep your GPA up while in school. Here are seven strategies to offset a low college GPA and still land jobs or get into graduate programs:

Highlight relevant coursework: Rather than focusing on your overall GPA, showcase classes and projects that relate directly to the job/program.
Ace your entrance exams: Many graduate programs weigh GRE/GMAT/MCAT scores more heavily for those with lower GPAs. Study intensely and aim for high test scores.
Get work experience: Internships and jobs in your desired field help direct attention away from academics. Highlight these roles.
Consider alternatives like bootcamps: For careers like web development, a coding bootcamp may outweigh your college GPA.
Lean on your personal network: Ask professors, family friends, and alumni for references and recommendations that endorse you regardless of GPA.
Excel at interviews: Come prepared with stories that illustrate your abilities beyond academics. Be memorable.
Earn an additional certification or degree: Additional credentials can help compensate for a lackluster GPA. Consider a graduate certificate or second bachelor’s degree.

When to Include GPA on Your Resume

Given the nuanced role of GPA, when should you include it on your resume or grad school applications?

Include GPA when:

It’s above a 3.0 (or your school’s equivalent to a B average).
You have limited work experience (1-2 years or less).
It’s required by job/program applications.

Exclude GPA when:

It’s under a 3.0 or your school’s B average.
You have ample work experience (5+ years).
It’s not required.

Use your judgement based on your own circumstances and goals. The more impressive your GPA is, the more prominently you can feature it on your resume and LinkedIn.

Tips for Maintaining a Strong GPA

For those still in college or just starting out, keeping your GPA up should remain a priority when possible. Here are five tips:

Start strong: Work hard from day one and don’t let yourself fall behind. It’s harder to raise your GPA later.
Take easier electives to balance out difficult major courses: Electives like photography and ceramics can act as GPA boosters.
Be strategic with your schedule: Don’t overload on hard classes in one semester. Space them out.
Get help when needed: Take advantage of professor office hours, tutoring services, study groups, and academic advisors.
Talk to your advisor if you slip: They can help get you back on track or appeal to grad schools/employers on your behalf.

Remember that grades aren’t everything. Focus on learning transferable skills in and out of the classroom too. But keeping your GPA up when possible is wise to maximize your options after college.

Final Thoughts on College GPA

So does your GPA matter? Yes, but not indefinitely. Grades hold the most weight right after graduation when looking to land that first job or get into graduate school. Their importance then fades over time as your professional experience and other achievements take over.

Aim for at least a 3.0 GPA in college when you can. But don’t panic if your GPA slips – there are plenty of strategies to offset weak grades and still go on to have a fulfilling career and education. Just focus on gaining relevant skills and performing in the workplace.

What matters most is finding your path to success – GPA is just one small factor among many, not the end all be all. Keep grades in perspective. With dedication and hard work, you can achieve your dreams regardless of what your transcript says.

does gpa matter in college

Do Employers Care About Your GPA?

Your GPA can impact your earning potential after you graduate. Although GPA often indicates intelligence and work ethic, it is not required to secure a job after college in many industries.

Google, for example, does not ask for GPAs or test scores unless youre fresh out of college. Instead, the company believes using grades as a measuring stick doesnt always work. It also believes grades are not an indicator of creativity and innovation, something needed by Googles tech company.

GPA matters, however, when applying for a job in competitive fields such as law, engineering, finance, and computer science. A stellar GPA can help you get to round one of the interviews because hiring managers often use them to screen potential candidates.

GPA in Cover Letters

You should include your GPA in your cover letter if a position requests your grades. Otherwise, you should omit it unless your GPA is strong (3.5 or higher) and shows significant accomplishment.

Career Tips: Does GPA Matter After College?

Does your college GPA matter during and after college?

Many students are unsure whether their GPA matters during and after college. Read on to learn when your college GPA is important. Your college GPA can impact your marketability when seeking employment. A solid GPA is essential if you plan to attend graduate school. Employers do care about your GPA in competitive fields.

Does a student’s GPA matter?

A student’s GPA helps determine their admission to college and qualification for various scholarships, among other things like class ranking and merit-based awards. And yet experts say the context of a student’s GPA matters as well. Colleges look closely at the rigor of students’ course loads and the particulars of the high schools they attended.

Does a good GPA matter for Graduate School?

A solid GPA is essential if you plan to attend graduate school. Employers do care about your GPA in competitive fields. Students with low GPAs can find other ways to highlight their skills. Whether you enter the job market or enroll in a graduate program after college, GPA matters.

What happens if a student’s GPA doesn’t improve?

“There is risk of disqualification if a student’s cumulative GPA does not improve, so we want to be sure the student understands the potential repercussions, but more importantly, that we can work with them on a sustainable plan to improve their academic performance.” What Is a Good GPA in College?