Grading System in the USA 2025: Everything International Students Need To Know

Kritika Pandey

6 min read

Updated On May 9, 2025

Grading System in the USA 2025: Everything International Students Need To Know

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The US Grading System: An Overview
Grading System in USA Universities
Comparing the Indian Grading System to International University Grading Scales
How to Calculate GPA in USA for International Students
Why Study in the US?
Secure US Admission and Visa Application Success is Possible with GetGIS

In the USA, grades are typically assigned as letters (A,B,C,F,D,F) and are measured in terms of GPA. Among all, A is the highest grade, followed by B,C,D, and F being the failing grade. Each letter grade is also signed with a point value, with A typically being 4.0, B being 3.0 C being 3.0, C being 2.0, and D being 1.0.

Studying at top universities in the US brings you many unique benefits of studying abroad including high-quality education, globally recognized qualifications, a world of opportunities, etc.

So, let us further delve into decoding the US GPA grading system to equip international students with the needed knowledge about the US grade scales, education system, and essential details.

The US Grading System: An Overview

The education system in the USA is unique along with its grading system. The USA grade system uses a grade system to measure scores in terms of GPA. The GPA system is meant to score students' academic performance.

Letter Grades and Grade Points

Many universities in the US use the letter grade system, however there are some common elements that are widely used to derive the GPA point score. The overview of letter and number grading system in the USA is as follows:

The letter grading system in the USA spans from A to F grades, which are also accompanied by a percentage.
The other form of system is the numerical grading system that spans from 0-100.

Grade	Description	Percentage Range	Grade Points
A	Excellent	90-100%	4.0
A-	Excellent	85-89%	3.7
B+	Good	80-84%	3.3
B	Good	75-79%	3.0
B-	Good	70-74%	2.7
C+	Average	65-69%	2.3
C	Average	60-64%	2.0
C-	Average	55-59%	1.7
D+	Poor	50-54%	1.3
D	Poor	45-49%	1.0
D-	Poor	40-44%	0.7
F	Fail	Below 40%	0.0

Types of US Grading System GPA

The Grade Point Average (GPA) remains a crucial aspect of the education system in the USA for assessing student academic performance in higher education institutions. As of 2025, the US grading system utilizes several types of grading GPA calculations, each serving purpose in academic assessment:

Class GPA (GPA): This GPA score is for a particular class that is attended over some time. The scores from other classes might as well be compiled for extracting a consolidated score for students.
Semester GPA (SGPA): The semester based GPA score is calculated for a particular semester. The SGPA is further converted into GPA at the end of each year for a consolidated GPA score.
Cumulative GPA (CGPA): A CGPA is also a score similar to SGPA that is assigned at the end of each semester, which is further converted into GPA at the end of each year for a consolidated GPA score.

Additional GPA Types in the US Grading System

Apart from the three types above are the most common, other GPAs are also used in US institutions:

Type of GPA	Description
Weighted GPA	Accounts for course difficulty (e.g., honors, AP classes), assigning higher points for advanced courses.
Unweighted GPA	Uses the standard 4.0 scale, even if the course is difficult.
Major GPA	Calculated using only courses within a student’s declared major field.
Core GPA	Focuses on core academic subjects like math, science, English, and social studies.
Transfer GPA	Applies to courses transferred from another institution, often calculated separately.

Also Read: Education System in The US: Levels, Grading & Universities

Grading System in USA Universities

The Grade Point Average (GPA) is the widely used grading system in US universities to assess candidates’ academic performance. This table showcases the most up-to date and widely accepted grading system in US universities as of 2025:

Grade	GPA	Percentage Range
A	4.0	94% – 100%
A-	3.67	90% – 93.99%
B+	3.33	87% – 89.99%
B	3.0	83% – 86.99%
B-	2.67	80% – 82.99%
C+	2.33	77% – 79.99%
C	2.0	73% – 76.99%
C-	1.67	70% – 72.99%
D+	1.33	67% – 69.99%
D	1.0	63% – 66.99%
D-	0.67	60% – 62.99%
F	0.0	Below 60%

Comparing the Indian Grading System to International University Grading Scales

The grading system USA universities is quite different from the Indian one. In the Indian grading system, students' academic performance is analyzed on a GPA scale of 0 - 10, also known as the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). Some Indian universities have an already defined CGPA structure while a few universities use a practice of dividing the percentage by 10.

In the USA universities or higher education institutions use a 4.0 GPA scale. The values for each point on the scale are consistent throughout all the universities in bachelor's or master's degree grading scale USA.

However, one crucial point to note here is that both the systems i.e. US grading system and the Indian grading system have a similar principle of evaluation i.e. the students’ performance and their understanding of the course.

Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About Intakes in USA and let's get started with your application process and requisites.

How to Calculate GPA in USA for International Students

To calculate GPA in the US, international students can follow a streamlined process: convert your grades into numerical values based on the US grading scale, multiply each grade with the corresponding course credit hours, sum these products, and then divide the total by total credit hours.

Step-by-Step GPA Calculation

Covert Your Grades into Numerical Values

Use the following scale:

A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, C- = 1.7, D+ = 1.3, D = 1.0, F = 0.0

Multiply the Grades by Credit Hours

For any course, multiply the grades by credit hours

Sum all the Products

Add up all the products from the previous step.

(Example: 12.0 + 13.2 + 4.0 + 11.1 + 2.0 = 42.3)

Divide Total Credit Hours

Add up all the credit hours.
(Example: 3 + 4 + 2 + 3 + 2 = 14)

Divide the total sum of products by the total credit hours:
GPA = 42.3 / 14 = 3.02

Learn how to convert CGPA to GPA to discover your application eligibility to USA universities. Explore the blog for complete details.

Example	Grade	Numerical Value	Credit Hours	Product (GradexCreditHours)
Example 1	A	4.0	3	12.0
Example 2	B+	3.3	4	13.2
Example 3	C	2.0	2	4.0
Example 4	A-	3.7	3	11.1
Example 5	D	1.0	2	2.0

Also Read: Top 8 Benefits of Studying Abroad for Indian Students

Why Study in the US?

Studying in the US offers a variety of benefits and opportunities for international students. Here are some key reasons why the US is top destination for higher education:

Top-Notch Institutions: The US has some of the most popular universities famous for their academic programs, high academic standards, cutting-edge research, and quality facilities. Major institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are recognised and attract students and faculty from around the world.

Variety of Educational Opportunities: With multiple universities and colleges offers a wide range of programs, the US educational system provides a lot more opportunities academically and professionally.

Career Opportunities: The US homes many multinational companies and industries with global influence. Many programs offer internships and coops with leading companies, providing students with critical-real world problems and network opportunities.

Campus Life Experience: US universities are known for its amazing campus life with numerous clubs, experiences, and much more.

Secure US Admission and Visa Application Success is Possible with GetGIS

Understanding the grading system in the USA is one of the most important aspects of unveiling the education system of the United States, their similarities and differences with our Indian education system. This knowledge also helps students assess their shortcomings and eligibility while gaining a hang of how things would work through their study abroad journey.

Are you also looking for expert assistance to fulfill your aspirations to study in the USA? GetGIS is all you need. From university selection, IELTS training, USA student visa application process, and more we have got you covered.

Also Read: Top 8 Benefits of Studying Abroad for Indian Students

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GPA requirement for maintaining scholarships?

The GPA requirements for scholarships can vary widely and are typically higher than the minimum needed for admission. It's important to check the specific terms and conditions for each scholarship to understand the required GPA.

How do US universities calculate GPA?

To calculate a student's GPA, multiply the grade points for each course by the number of units the course is worth. Then, sum up all the products and divide by the total number of units. This results in the cumulative GPA, which is the total grade points divided by the total units.

Does GPA matter for master's programs in the USA?

Yes, GPA is considered when applying for graduate programs. Most universities prefer a minimum GPA of 2.5 to 3.0 for master's applicants, though some programs may require a GPA of 3.3 or higher. Doctoral programs often have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.3 or above.

What is the passing grade in the USA?

Passing grades vary by institution, but generally, a D is considered the lowest passing grade, though some schools may require at least a C to pass.

Is 70% considered an A in the USA?

No, a 70-79% score usually corresponds to a C grade, while a D grade ranges from 59-69%. A is typically reserved for scores of 90% and above.

What grade is 88% in the USA?

An 88% is generally considered a B grade, with a corresponding GPA value of around 3.3 on a 4.0 scale.

Do grades matter in the USA?

Yes, grades are important for college admissions as they reflect academic progress and potential. While they don't define a student's worth, they do play a significant role in determining eligibility for various academic and professional opportunities.