WeightedGPACollege admissions
What Is a Good Weighted GPA?
On a 5.0 scale, a 4.0 or higher is generally considered good — but “good” depends on your goals.
Weighted GPA ranges
| Weighted GPA | Rating | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 4.5 – 5.0 | Outstanding | Mostly A's in AP/IB. Competitive for the most selective colleges. |
| 4.0 – 4.49 | Excellent | A's and B's with several advanced classes. Strong for selective colleges. |
| 3.5 – 3.99 | Good | Above average. Competitive for many state universities. |
| 3.0 – 3.49 | Average | Solid foundation; meets the bar at most colleges. |
| Below 3.0 | Room to grow | Focus on core classes — an upward trend matters. |
These ranges are general guidance for the common 5.0 scale, not official cutoffs.
It depends on the college
Highly selective colleges usually admit students with weighted GPAs above 4.2 and very demanding schedules. Many great state universities admit students in the 3.5–4.0 range. Look up each college's “middle 50%” GPA on their admissions page or Common Data Set.
More than a number
Colleges also care about which classes you took, your grade trend, essays, activities and recommendations. A rising GPA with harder classes can say more than one high number.
Find yours with the weighted GPA calculator, or understand the difference in weighted vs. unweighted GPA.
Skip the math.
Open the weighted GPA calculatorFrequently asked questions
+Is a 4.5 weighted GPA good?
Yes, a 4.5 weighted GPA is excellent. It usually means mostly A's in Honors and AP classes and is competitive for selective colleges.
+Is a 4.0 weighted GPA good?
Yes. A 4.0 weighted is above average and solid for most colleges, though highly selective schools often see higher.
+Is a 3.5 weighted GPA good?
It's around average to slightly above. Strong for many state schools; raising it with a few A's in advanced classes can open more options.