Average GPAs by Major
| Major Category | Average GPA | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Education | 3.6-3.8 | Moderate |
| Social Work | 3.5-3.7 | Moderate |
| Communications | 3.4-3.6 | Moderate |
| Business | 3.2-3.4 | Moderate |
| Psychology | 3.2-3.4 | Moderate |
| Political Science | 3.2-3.4 | Moderate-High |
| Biology | 3.0-3.2 | High |
| Economics | 3.0-3.2 | High |
| Computer Science | 2.9-3.1 | Very High |
| Mathematics | 2.8-3.0 | Very High |
| Chemistry | 2.8-3.0 | Very High |
| Physics | 2.7-2.9 | Very High |
| Engineering (all types) | 2.6-2.9 | Extremely High |
STEM Major GPAs
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors typically have lower average GPAs due to:
- Rigorous curriculum with heavy problem-solving
- Curved grading in many courses
- Time-intensive labs and projects
- Cumulative material building on previous concepts
Engineering Majors
- • Chemical Engineering: 2.6-2.8
- • Electrical Engineering: 2.6-2.8
- • Mechanical Engineering: 2.7-2.9
- • Civil Engineering: 2.8-3.0
- • Industrial Engineering: 2.9-3.1
Natural Sciences
- • Physics: 2.7-2.9
- • Chemistry: 2.8-3.0
- • Biochemistry: 2.8-3.0
- • Biology: 3.0-3.2
- • Environmental Science: 3.1-3.3
Business & Economics GPAs
| Business Major | Average GPA |
|---|---|
| Marketing | 3.3-3.5 |
| Management | 3.2-3.4 |
| Finance | 3.1-3.3 |
| Accounting | 3.0-3.2 |
| Economics | 3.0-3.2 |
Humanities & Social Sciences GPAs
Humanities
- • English Literature: 3.3-3.5
- • History: 3.2-3.4
- • Philosophy: 3.1-3.3
- • Foreign Languages: 3.3-3.5
Social Sciences
- • Psychology: 3.2-3.4
- • Sociology: 3.2-3.4
- • Political Science: 3.2-3.4
- • Anthropology: 3.1-3.3
What GPA Do You Need for Your Major?
Pre-Med Track
Need 3.7+ overall GPA and 3.7+ science GPA for competitive medical school applications
Pre-Law Track
Top law schools expect 3.7-4.0 GPA. Lower tier schools accept 3.0-3.5
Engineering/Tech Careers
3.0+ is solid for most employers. 3.5+ for top companies and graduate school
Business/Consulting
Top consulting firms (McKinsey, Bain, BCG) typically want 3.7+ GPA
Important Context:
Lower average GPAs in STEM don't mean students are less capable! These majors:
- Have more rigorous grading standards
- Often use curves that limit high grades
- Require intensive problem-solving and labs
Employers and graduate schools understand this context when evaluating candidates.