- Letter grade: B
- Percentage: about 83%
- National average: 3.11 for 2019 high school graduates (NAEP High School Transcript Study)
- Scale: unweighted 4.0
Here is where a 2.8 sits on the standard 4.0 scale, from A+ down to F:
| GPA | Percentage | Letter grade |
|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 97–100% | A+ |
| 4.0 | 93–96% | A |
| 3.7 | 90–92% | A− |
| 3.3 | 87–89% | B+ |
| 3.0 | 83–86% | B |
| 2.8 | 83% | B |
| 2.7 | 80–82% | B− |
| 2.3 | 77–79% | C+ |
| 2.0 | 73–76% | C |
| 1.7 | 70–72% | C− |
| 1.3 | 67–69% | D+ |
| 1.0 | 65–66% | D |
| 0.7 | 60–64% | D− |
| 0.0 | Below 60% | F |
Is a 2.8 GPA good?
A 2.8 is a little below average. It means B work, about 83%, while 2019 high school graduates averaged 3.11 (NAEP High School Transcript Study). It is not a problem for many colleges, but it narrows your options at selective ones.
In high school
It meets the minimum at many four-year colleges, but you will be below the typical admitted student at selective ones. Improving your grades this year is worth the effort.
In college
In college it is under the 3.0 that many scholarships and graduate programs require, but well above the 2.0 needed for good standing.
Weighted or unweighted?
These figures are for the unweighted 4.0 scale. If your school gives extra points for Honors, AP or IB classes, your weighted GPA can be higher than 2.8. Colleges usually recalculate GPAs their own way, so they see both. Work out yours with the Weighted GPA calculator.
What a 2.8 GPA means for college
With a 2.8 you can get into many four-year colleges, especially regional public universities and less selective private colleges. Selective colleges are a stretch.
Colleges notice an upward trend, so better grades this year help. Community college followed by a transfer is another proven route.
How to raise a 2.8 GPA
The more classes you have finished, the more it takes to move your GPA. This table shows how many more classes you would need at one grade to bring a 2.8 up to a 3.0, assuming every class counts the same.
| Classes so far | Classes of A’s needed | Classes of B+’s needed |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 2 | 6 |
| 16 | 4 | 11 |
| 24 | 5 | 16 |
To use your own classes, credits and target, try the Raise GPA calculator.
What helps
Now that you know what your GPA means, it’s a good idea to think about ways you might raise it. Earning an high GPA takes commitment to your studies and completing work thoroughly, but if your motivated you can make it happen!
- Study First: With all the demands on students these days it can be easy to push off studying to the last minute. If you really want to raise your GPA set-aside study time each day and make it a priority.
- Go to your Teacher: No one knows better how to do well in a specific class than the teacher themself. If one class consistently trips you up, make an appointment with that teacher and ask how they suggest you move forward.
- Craft a Class Schedule: It’s more difficult to maintain a high GPA with a course load full of exceptionally challenging classes. Instead, try choosing one class that is a big challenge and balancing it out with other classes that come easily to you.
2.8 GPA – Frequently asked questions
Is a 2.8 GPA good?
A 2.8 is a little below average. It is below the national average of about 3.1, but it still meets the minimum at many four-year colleges, especially less selective ones.
What letter grade and percentage is a 2.8 GPA?
A 2.8 GPA is a B average on the standard unweighted 4.0 scale, which is about 83%. Schools set their own cutoffs, so check how your school converts percentages to grade points.
Can I get into college with a 2.8 GPA?
Yes. A 2.8 meets the minimum at many four-year colleges, especially regional public universities and less selective private colleges. Community college followed by a transfer is another proven route.
Is a 2.8 weighted GPA the same as a 2.8 unweighted GPA?
No. An unweighted GPA uses the 4.0 scale, where an A is 4.0. A weighted GPA adds extra points for Honors, AP or IB classes, so a 2.8 weighted GPA usually stands for a lower unweighted average than a 2.8 unweighted. Colleges often recalculate GPAs, so they see both.
How can I raise a 2.8 GPA to a 3.0?
With A’s in your next classes. If you have finished 8 equal-credit classes, about 2 more A’s take a 2.8 to a 3.0; after 16 classes it takes about 4. The earlier you start, the faster it moves, so focus first on the classes closest to the next grade up.
Is a 2.8 GPA good in college?
It keeps you in good standing, which usually requires a 2.0, but it is under the 3.0 that many scholarships, internships and graduate programs ask for, so aim to bring it up.