What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? (2024)

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

In undergraduate programs, 'D' is typically the lowest passing grade, but passing may not be enough to fulfill graduation requirements.

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? (1)

In college, the grading system is typically divided into five letter grades, A, B, C, D, and F. Each letter grade corresponds with a grade point average (GPA) and a numerical range. You’ll usually need to receive a letter grade between A and D to pass a class, often the numerical equivalent of 65 percent or higher. Receiving an F—which stands for “fail”—indicates that you did not pass the class. The cutoff to receive an F is usually 64 percent.

Let’s take a closer look at the college grading system and what grades qualify as passing.

What is a passing grade?

Many college grading systems consider a D, or 65 percent, to be the lowest passing grade.

LetterPercentage gradeGPAPass/Fail
A90-1003.7-4.0Pass
B80-892.7-3.3Pass
C70-791.7-2.3Pass
D65-691.0-1.3Pass
F0-640.0Fail

Note that different schools, programs, or classes may have different cutoff points for what they consider a passing grade. For example, some schools consider 60 percent to be the lowest passing grade, similar to common high school grading scales. Some classes may be graded on a curve, meaning your percentage grade likely won’t align with the typical letter or GPA structure. In graduate programs, it’s common for a C to be the lowest passing grade.

Additional requirements may make it important for you to score above a D to maintain your academic standing, graduate, or qualify for scholarships and financial aid.

Is a D a passing grade?

Typically, a D is considered a passing grade. However, receiving a D may indicate that you didn’t fully understand and retain all of the course material. Even if your school considers a D to be a passing grade, you may still want to consider retaking the course if you plan on taking higher-level courses in the same subject area.

Learn more: What is a Good College GPA and How Can You Raise Yours?

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? (2)

Passing grade policies

The grade you need to receive to pass a class may differ depending on:

  • General credit requirements

  • Core curriculum requirements

  • Major requirements

  • Scholarships and financial aid requirements

You’ll need to receive a certain number of college credits to earn your college degree, and you’ll only earn credit for courses which you pass. The passing cutoff point to satisfy general credit requirements is typically a D or above.

Sometimes, your school may have higher grading standards to satisfy your core curriculum or major requirements. For example, some schools may require you to get a C or higher in courses related to your major or maintain at least a 2.0 GPA across all courses to qualify for graduation.

You may have higher grading or GPA requirements if you receive scholarships or financial aid. Check the specific terms of your scholarship or financial aid package to find out.

Read more: How Many Credits Do You Need to Graduate College?

What grade do you need to pass a class?

In order to find out the grades you need to earn to pass a class, receive credit, or meet graduation requirements, search “grading policy” on your school’s website. You can also consult your academic advisor for further clarification.

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? (3)

Pass/fail classes

Some schools allow students to take courses on a pass/fail basis. If you choose this option, that means you will only receive either a grade of Pass or Fail—there is no in-between. In this case, a passing grade typically indicates that you’ve earned a C or above.

Taking a course on a pass/fail basis may count toward your total graduation requirements, such as the minimum number of credits you need to earn, but your grade will not be used in calculating your overall GPA. It may be a good idea to take a class on a pass/fail basis if you’re concerned about how you may perform and want to protect your GPA.

How to improve your grades

If you are looking for ways to improve your grades, it may be helpful to look at your study habits and consider whether there are alternate approaches that may make studying easier or more engaging.

Some research-backed good study habits that may be worth trying include:

  1. Finding a good place to study

  2. Minimizing distractions

  3. Taking breaks

  4. Spacing out your studying

  5. Setting study goals for each session

  6. Rewarding yourself

  7. Studying with a group

  8. Taking practice tests

  9. Using your own words

  10. Asking for help

  11. Taking care of yourself

To go beyond developing good study habits, learn more about how to be successful in college.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? (2024)

FAQs

What Grade Do You Need to Pass a College Class? ›

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.

Is a 60% passing in college? ›

Most colleges and universities generally consider a "D" (or a 60% to 69% score) as a passing grade. It's important to note that this minimum or lowest passing grade standard can significantly vary depending on the institution or major. For instance, some universities may require a "C" or better to pass.

What grade do you need to pass a college class? ›

At most schools, a D is the lowest passing grade. That means students who earn a D or higher receive credit for the course. However, some schools set special policies around D grades. For example, at Lehigh, a D counts as a passing grade but does not meet prerequisite requirements.

Is 50 a passing grade in college? ›

Numerical and letter grades

However, there are some schools that consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In college and universities, a D is considered to be an unsatisfactory passing grade.

Is D grade pass or fail? ›

Passing Grade -The grades O, A, B, C, D, E are passing grades. A candidate acquiring any one of these grades in a course shall be declared as pass. And student shall earn the credits for a course only if the student gets passing grade in that course. F Grade -The grade F shall be treated as a failure grade.

Are D's passing in college? ›

In undergraduate programs, 'D' is typically the lowest passing grade, but passing may not be enough to fulfill graduation requirements. In college, the grading system is typically divided into five letter grades, A, B, C, D, and F. Each letter grade corresponds with a grade point average (GPA) and a numerical range.

Is a 57 passing in college? ›

While many institutions consider anything below 70% as failing, others may set the threshold at 60%. Additionally, some universities use alternative grading systems like pass/fail or narrative evaluations.

Do colleges accept D grades? ›

In summary, while a D grade isn't ideal, it doesn't automatically disqualify you from college admissions. It's essential to evaluate the specific college requirements, consider retaking the class if necessary, and provide context for the grade on your application.

Can you graduate with an F in college? ›

It depends on your school: if passing the class is required, you'll have to retake it, probably over summer. If not, you will graduate.

Is it OK to fail a class in college? ›

Failing a class can be frustrating and upsetting, but try not to be too hard on yourself. Failure is a part of academic life and can happen for any number of reasons. It doesn't reflect on your overall intelligence or competence in a particular subject.

Will one B ruin my GPA in college? ›

One B won't ruin your GPA if it's weighted. Weighted GPA takes into account on the difficulty of the classes you take.

Are B's good in college? ›

B's are generally considered 'good' by most standards. Colleges understand that the academic environment is rigorous and getting straight A's isn't always feasible. However, the impact on your GPA and future opportunities can vary depending on your goals.

Is a 2.75 GPA good in college? ›

According to statistics, the average student maintains a B average throughout their college career. This is equivalent to a 3.0 GPA. We should now have a fundamental understanding of what a 3.0 GPA is. A 2.7 GPA indicates that you are a below-average student since it generally equates to a B- grade.

What grade is failing in college? ›

At most colleges, a final grade below 60% qualifies as a failing grade. Depending on your college's GPA scale, that can mean anything below a 1.0 or 0.7 GPA counts as a failed class. If you fail a class, you'll get a 0 on your transcript — and that can bring down your GPA.

What grade do you need to pass a class in college? ›

A grade of C or better is required to earn a Passed; a C- or below will earn a Not Passed grade. A grade of C- may satisfy many requirements (e.g., General Education, elective) but a Not Passed grade will not earn any credit or satisfy requirements.

What does z mean in grades? ›

The letter Z is used to indicate that a grade was not properly received and/or recorded for a course. Note: No grade points are allowed for grades F, I, NP, P, PR, NPR, W, or Z. A complete record of all previously used grades and grading systems is detailed on the official transcript. Grade.

Is 60% considered a pass? ›

Distinction: much like a First at undergraduate level, a Distinction is awarded when you achieve a percentage grade of 70% and above. Merit: you'll be awarded a Merit if you achieve a grade average between 60-69%. Pass: a pass is awarded when you receive a grade average between 50-59%.

What is the 60% point in college? ›

The 60% point of the term is the date at which 60% of the semester has been completed.

What is a 60% in a grade? ›

PercentLetter Grade
70 - 72C-
67 - 69D+
63 - 66D
60 - 62D-
8 more rows

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