Is a 1.8 GPA bad in college?
Asked by: Prof. Emmet Barrows | Last update: October 26, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)
A 1.8 GPA indicates below-average academic performance, generally corresponding to 'C-' grades in your courses. This level suggests a need for considerable improvement in understanding and engaging with your coursework.
Do colleges accept a 1.8 GPA?
Having a 1.8 GPA your junior year means that you'll end up with very few options in the college application process next fall. It's rare for many schools to accept students with GPAs that are lower than a 2.0. You still have a couple options, but for the most part anywhere you apply will end up being a reach school.
Is a 1.8 college GPA good?
1.8 is in the D to C- range. Colleges usually have GPA cutoffs where they won't consider your application if your gpa is below a certain range. (usually you need at least a 2.5 to get into most schools, some schools are more selective and require a 3 or higher).
Can I go to community college with a 1.8 GPA?
Yes, it's certainly possible to be admitted to a college with a 1.8 GPA, although your options may be more limited. When looking at colleges that could accept a lower GPA, consider community colleges and less-selective four-year institutions.
What is a 1.80 GPA in college?
A 1.8 GPA sits far below the national average of a 3.0 GPA. A 1.8 GPA is generally considered very low, but, with just a little work, you can bump it up over the 2.0 mark.
The Average Student's College Application Process
Is a 1.8 GPA failing?
The answer is No. The national average for a GPA is around 3.0 and a 1.8 GPA puts you below that average. A 1.8 GPA means that you've gotten only C-s and D+s in your high school classes so far. Since this GPA is significantly below a 2.0, it will make things very difficult for you in the college application process.
Do colleges accept 1.7 GPA?
Even with a 1.7 GPA, there are colleges that may admit you. However, you'll need to be tactical in your college search and application process. Focus on colleges that use a holistic admissions process, which means they review all parts of an application and don't heavily weigh GPAs.
What GPA is too low for college?
Generally, any GPA below a 3.0 is considered low for most colleges, but keep in mind that admissions are holistic, and different colleges have different expectations. For highly selective schools, a GPA below 3.5 may be seen as low, while less competitive schools might be more accommodating of lower GPAs.
Will colleges accept a 1.9 GPA?
With a GPA that's below a 2.0, you may have trouble getting into college. There are only a couple schools where a 1.9 GPA gives you a good chance of acceptance. 0.19% of schools have an average GPA below a 1.9. You can apply to colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.
Can I transfer colleges with a 1.8 GPA?
transfer application, even if you don't have credits to transfer. You cannot apply to a new school as a first-time student if you've been to college before. accepted. Colleges usually look for at least a 2.0 GPA in order to accept a student as a transfer (and more competitive schools look for higher GPAs).
What to do with 1.8 GPA?
I understand that your GPA might be a source of stress, but don't worry, there are still college options out there for you. With a 1.8 GPA, it's true that your options may be more limited, but focusing on less selective and open-admission schools can provide a path for you to begin your college journey.
Is 1.7 a bad GPA?
A 1.7 GPA is considered low and will present challenges when it comes to college admissions. Most colleges and universities have a minimum GPA requirement for admission, which is typically around a 2.0 or higher. However, there are still options available to you.
Can I get financial aid with a 1.8 GPA?
GRADE POINT AVERAGE REQUIREMENT (QUALITATIVE STANDARDS)
Once you have attempted 30+ credit hours, you must have a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA.
What is the lowest GPA a community college will accept?
This means that they do not have GPA requirements for general admission and welcome any student with a high school diploma or equivalent. However, it's still a good idea to maintain a strong GPA for several reasons.
Can I get into Harvard with a 1.7 GPA?
Harvard will accept a GPA lower than 4.0 but it has to be in really hard classes, like AP or Honors. If it's normal classes, then your answer is probably not.
Can I go to college with a 1.8 GPA?
FAQs. 1. What's the lowest GPA a college will accept? Most four-year programs typically don't accept GPAs below 2.0, but options like community colleges or alternative admissions programs can help you succeed.
Is a 2.0 GPA okay?
A 2.0 GPA means that you have a solid C average across all of your classes. This GPA is essentially the unofficial cut off point for how low your GPA can be in order to get into college. With a 2.0 GPA, there are only a couple schools in the country where you'll have a high chance of being accepted.
Is 2.8 GPA bad?
Is a 2.8 GPA Good? Because a 2.8 is two-tenths of a point from a B average, a 2.8 GPA indicates several above-average grades and that your performance on homework and exams was up to par. With a 2.8 GPA, several colleges will consider your application, so you have a decent number of options to choose from.
What GPA will colleges not accept?
The vast majority of colleges have a minimum GPA requirement for admission. At less selective colleges, a GPA above 2.0 can be sufficient to get in, but top universities will want to see a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Look at Ivy league schools. They have a low acceptance rate with a GPA requirement of at least 3.9.
What is the lowest GPA a college will accept?
As you'll see below, the average GPA of lower-tier colleges is in the 2.9-3.3 range. However, some colleges will accept a 2.0 GPA or even lower. GPA can also be complicated because of unweighted and weighted GPAs, and how colleges consider the difficulty of your coursework.
Is a 1.7 GPA bad for a junior?
Unfortunately, with a 1.7, this means that you'll have a bit of a struggle ahead of you in the college application process. You may be able to raise your GPA slightly if it's only the first semester of your junior year, but it probably won't be significant enough to make a big difference in your options for college.
Can I go to college with a 1.5 GPA?
Absolutely, there are options out there! While it's true that a GPA of 1.5 is low and could limit your choices, it doesn't close the door to college entirely.