Varun Srinivasan October 7, 2025 4 Academic Tips and Info,Grades and GPA

Is a 2.8 GPA Good? Colleges that Accept a 2.8 GPA

What’s Covered:

• Is a 2.8 GPA Good?
• How Do Colleges Evaluate GPAs?
• Which Colleges Accept a 2.8 GPA?
• How To Improve Your GPA
• Wondering What GPA You Need for Top Colleges?

Wondering if your 2.8 GPA is good enough for college admissions? Keep reading to explore what a 2.8 GPA means, how it compares to the average, and which colleges accept applicants with a similar GPA. Additionally, discover tips for enhancing your GPA and increasing your chances of admission to your dream schools.

Not sure what your unweighted GPA is on a 4.0 scale? Use our GPA converter.

Is a 2.8 GPA Good?

Every college evaluates GPAs differently, but for general context, the College Board—the organization that administers the SAT—states that the average high school GPA is 3.0, which corresponds to about a B in letter grades. A GPA of 2.8 falls between a B– (2.7) and a B (3.0) on the letter-grade scale.

Nevertheless, the competitiveness of your GPA depends on the colleges you’re targeting. Admissions officers consider GPAs alongside other factors, such as test scores, extracurricular activities, and difficulty of coursework. A student with a 2.8 GPA, therefore, still has many options to consider for college.

How Do Colleges Evaluate GPAs?

Colleges evaluate GPAs by considering various factors. Admissions committees understand that high schools use slightly different methods to calculate students’ GPAs. Because of these variations, colleges typically reevaluate applicants’ GPAs using their own systems.

For example, some colleges value honors and AP classes more, while others only consider core subjects like math, science, history, and languages, excluding electives. If your high school gives you a weighted GPA, this first strategy may be one you’re already familiar with. 

Admissions officers may also consider the difficulty of the high school itself, evaluating factors like the school’s reputation for grade inflation or deflation or its measures of rigor. This allows them to get a clear and fair understanding of each applicant’s academic performance and background.

Finally, it’s important to note that your GPA isn’t the only factor colleges use to evaluate your academic achievements. Your standardized test scores are also considered, so if your GPA isn’t as high as you would like, a strong SAT or ACT score can help increase your chances of acceptance. Often, an applicant’s GPA and test scores are boiled down to a single numerical score using a calculation called the Academic Index.

Which Colleges Accept a 2.8 GPA?

Below is a list of colleges that have freshman classes with an average high school GPA of 2.8. This table includes their location, undergraduate enrollment, and acceptance rates.

*It’s worth noting that the schools on the list above aren’t the only institutions that students with a 2.8 GPA should consider. A number of universities don’t publish accepted students’ average GPAs due to variations in how high schools calculate GPA, so do your research before definitively deciding whether or not to include a school on your list.*

How To Improve Your GPA

There’s still time to raise your GPA—especially if you’re a freshman or sophomore—and expand your college options.

Take Easier Classes

Consider switching to a lower-level or less challenging course if you’re constantly struggling in a particular subject. You’ll already have a familiarity with the content since you’ve learned it at a higher level, helping you improve your grades in that subject. And, ultimately, help raise your GPA.

However, it’s essential to strike a balance and not just aim for an easy A. Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and consider seeking additional help from teachers, peers, and online resources to improve your performance.

Utilize Weighted Courses

Check if your school offers weighted courses, that is, certain classes that count more towards your GPA. For example, honors or advanced placement (AP) courses may be worth more than standard courses. If you are performing well in honors classes, consider taking more of them to boost your GPA. While these courses may be more challenging, they will demonstrate your academic rigor and dedication to learning, which can impress college admissions officers.

Consider your schedule and existing time commitments before taking on a heavier course load. Also, be mindful of your weighted and unweighted GPA. 

Seek Academic Help

Don’t hesitate to reach out for academic support if you’re struggling. Many schools have tutoring programs, study groups, or extra help sessions offered by teachers. Take advantage of these resources and ask your instructors for assistance. Additionally, consider forming study groups with classmates or using online platforms like Khan Academy or YouTube tutorials to reinforce your understanding of challenging subjects.

Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength and can make a significant difference in your academic performance.

Note that if you’re a junior or senior, you have limited time to improve your GPA. While focusing on getting good grades is obviously important, it’s also crucial to work on achieving strong test scores. Scores on standardized tests, such as the SAT or ACT, can be another factor that colleges consider during the admissions process. So, prioritize both GPA improvement and test score enhancement to maximize your chances of admission into your desired colleges.

Wondering What GPA You Need for Top Colleges?

Understandably, a big question high school seniors have is whether or not their GPA is good enough to get into their dream university, or even a top college in general. As mentioned above, there are numerous factors involved in the college admissions process, and it isn’t just about your GPA.

With so many factors at play, it can be challenging to gauge your chances of college admission. To help you understand your admissions chances, CollegeVine has developed a free admissions chancing engine. Using numerous inputs and factors, a score is calculated that represents your unique chances of admission to your desired schools.

In addition to your GPA, the engine will take your test scores, extracurriculars, and course rigor into account, and let you know your chances of admission at hundreds of colleges and universities around the country! It will even provide advice on how to improve your profile.