Should You Mention GPA on Your Resume? Here's the Best Strategy
GPA, or the grade point average, is a number that indicates your performance in college or university. It shows the average score for all your courses and explains how well you did in your studies. A very high GPA is considered an academic achievement. But does it make sense to include the GPA on your resume?
The answer to the question "Should I put my GPA on my resume?" will depend on how high your GPA is, how long ago you graduated, and even your industry. In this article, we will look at the situations where it is appropriate for a recent graduate to mention a GPA and other past educational accomplishments.
When Should You Include GPA on a Resume?
According to the survey by NACE, 67% of employers surveyed pay attention to GPA on a resume when hiring students. Your major GPA is vital for internship program recruitment strategies - for recent graduates with limited experience, a good GPA can be a decisive factor for getting you shortlisted.
If you are wondering "Should I put my GPA on my resume", here's when it's a good idea to include it on your resume.
You are still in school or recently graduated
A good GPA can increase your chance of landing the first job or internship. When you don't have paid experience, education, and academic achievements are your biggest assets. That's why you should put the Education section at the top of your resume and list GPA and other college achievements in detail.
Although not all employers see GPA as a screening criterion, many of them still pay attention when hiring entry-level employees. Employers tend to think that the early career candidate with a good GPA is more likely to perform well and handle the pressure in the workplace.
Your GPA is 3.5 or higher
A high GPA is a good achievement, so why not make it work in your favor? Again, some employers see GPA as a predictor of good performance and a strong work ethic. A GPA between 3.5 and 4 is considered very good. There are many situations when hiring manager decided GPA was the key factor for interviewing a candidate, especially when choosing between two people with similar degrees and mandatory software aptitude.
GPA is required in a job description
Whether to include a GPA on your resume depends on the job posting, too. If the job requests to specify GPA in job applications, you need to specify it even if it is lower than 3.5. You may find such a requirement in federal job postings. Be sure to add GPA on your resume, as if you don't, the company will probably ditch your application.
Now that you have the answer to the question "Do you put your GPA on your resume?", let's look at examples of how to list your college degree and GPA on a resume.
Where to Put GPA on Resume
Place your GPA in the Education section. A good GPA is a significant achievement that highlights academic abilities, so make it visible. Add the school name, degree title, and years when you attended school (or graduation date). Here is how it can look like:
- University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 05/2024
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Corporate Finance
GPA: 3.86 | Summa Cum Laude
Next to your GPA, you can include other honors, relevant coursework, and even your thesis if it is relevant to your future career.
Should you include an overall GPA or major GPA? As a rule, employers expect to see an overall GPA on your resume. Some students include a major GPA, especially if it is higher and they are pursuing a career relevant to their major.
If your average GPA is not as impressive as your major GPA, you can only include the latter. Otherwise, you can add both, for example, Cumulative GPA: 3.6, Major GPA: 3.7.
GPA Formatting Examples for a Resume
Format your GPA in the Education section with an abbreviation followed by a colon and a number. Use the same formatting like the other sections in your resume. Here are various examples of how to list GPA on a resume in various situations:
With GPA
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Anticipated 2026
Bachelor's in Computer Science | GPA: 4.0 - Bachelor of Arts, Journalism | GPA: 3.92
New York State University, 2024
Awards: Dean's List
Without GPA
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology Major
Los Angeles Pacific University, LA 2023
Coursework: Clinical Psychology, Health Psychology, Social Psychology - Master's Degree in Marketing | Communications Minor
University of Oklahoma, 2025
Resume GPA Template
- [Example University, City, State]
[Graduation Date]
[Degree Name and Major], [Your GPA]
[Optional: Relevant Coursework, Academic Achievements, Honors Title]
Major GPA vs Cumulative GPA: Which One to Include?
Your GPA is the number on the scale from 0 to 4. It reflects how well you met the expectations in the degree program, with 4 being the equivalent of an A grade. Yet, there is more than one type of GPA for recent graduates that employers consider in recruitment operations:
- Cumulative GPA - the average of all grades you've earned during your academic career in high school or university.
- Major GPA - this GPA is calculated with grades for courses included in your major.
- Term GPA - the average GPA for grades you earned in a specific term.
It's more common to include a cumulative GPA on a resume next to your education information. However, if your major GPA is significantly higher, use it instead. A good GPA can be a determining factor for employers, so use it strategically to land your target professional role.
Some organizations might also ask for your test scores and other achievements in your academic career.
Examples of listing a cumulative and major GPA:
- New York State University Expected Graduation 05/2026
Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, GPA: 3.75
Cumulative GPA: 3.6 / Major GPA: 3.8
What GPA is Good for a Resume?
GPA as academic achievement only counts if it's high. Anything from 3.5 and above is considered a high GPA. For employers who screen job-seekers based on their GPA, 3.0 is the median cutoff. When assessing candidates for entry-level positions, most employers pay attention to grade point average, and the higher is usually the better.
Is 3.0 GPA resume-worthy?
A 3.0 or 3.1 isn't a bad GPA and is considered a solid B. However, for employers, it isn't particularly impressive either. Your GPA is worth being included on a resume only if high to prove your outstanding academic performance. Otherwise, you shouldn't include your GPA on a resume.
If it's below 3.1, career experts recommend omitting it and focusing on other factors that can distinguish you from the competition. Add relevant coursework, impressive extracurriculars, or volunteer work in college.
When You Should Not Include GPA
Including a GPA on your resume is not advisable in the following situations:
Your GPA is not impressive
There is nothing wrong with having a GPA lower than 3.0. However, if you have a lower GPA, it is best to keep it out even if you graduated recently. A not-so-impressive GPA can actually work against you and lower your chance of getting a job. The employer might assume that your GPA is low because you didn't work hard, or because you lack professional competencies. To avoid making such an impression, keep silent about your GPA.
You graduated over 2 years ago
Once you have one or two full-time jobs, your education loses its importance. From this point on, potential employers will be more interested in your professional experience and achievements rather than your grades in university. After 2-3 years of experience, you can remove your overall GPA from the resume and focus more on your work experience.
However, if you are particularly proud of having a 3.9 or 4.0 GPA or graduated summa cum laude, you can keep these accomplishments a little longer.
It is not relevant to your target job
If your target job is not relevant to your education, you needn't be super detailed about it. Thus, your GPA doesn't add much value and you can remove it to save space for qualifications that are more relevant to your desired career path.
Should You Put GPA on a CV?
A CV is the equivalent of a resume for positions in academia, research roles, and some legal and healthcare jobs. It is usually longer and more detailed than a resume, including one's educational background and professional experience since the high school.
Should you put GPA on CV? The answer is yes, especially for recent grads and PhD applicants. Provide as many details about your education as possible, including your thesis, relevant coursework, and achievements like a high GPA. Being detailed about your education and research experience can set your CV apart for academic roles.
GPA and Academic Achievements on a Resume
A high GPA isn't the only academic achievement that can set you apart during the hiring process. Consider adding academic achievements as follows as they can give you a competitive edge and impress recruiters:
- Dean's List with a year when you got this achievement
- Latin honors: Graduating summa cum laude or magna cum laude. Include the honors title next to your GPA.
- Academic honors, such as scholarships, fellowships, or student awards that show your excellent performance
- Research experience, including participation in research projects or doing independent research. Your thesis also counts if relevant to the target job opening.
- Academic publications (specify the year, details of the publication, and add a link if applicable)
- Study abroad experience - specify the country of designation and the focus of your studies.
Include any of these achievements in your Education section under the school's name. Impressive achievements in college prove that you are the best candidate for the entry-level position of your choice.
What to add to your graduate resume to make it interview-worthy?
Early career candidates face increased competition, so your resume should be spotless if you want to land a job faster. Consider adding these details to your resume to make it more competitive:
- Customer service experience. If you haven't been to the workforce long, any experience counts. Your work in McDonald's or as a freelance SMM manager can be a good indicator of your work ethics, dedication, and willingness to put in an effort. If you don't have relevant experience yet, list your part-time and customer service jobs, detailing role responsibilities and achievements.
- Mandatory certifications and training. In addition to your degree, it helps to get specific education and skills training. For example, if you want to work as a marketer, gaining a Google Ads certification, HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, or Meta Blueprint certification can give you a competitive advantage.
- Top skills. Match your Skills list on a resume to the job description. Add the relevant hard and soft skills to show the quirky recruiter that you have the knowledge needed for the position.
- Numbers and percentages. Numbers make your resume stand out and prove your excellent performance no worse that GPA. If you don't have relevant experience yet, add numbers to your extracurriculars and volunteer projects. Show the impact of your work and how you made a difference. It will help you get a job offer faster.
Formatting Tips for Entry-Level Resumes
After you've described your educational path, take the time to review the other sections in your resume. Ensure that it has all the information and is professionally formatted to make a positive impression on a hiring manager. Here are some tips to keep in mind.
Use reverse chronological order
When listing your degrees, internships, and jobs, start with the most recent one and go back. This is the common format approved by recruiters, and using it will help you avoid confusion in dates and sequence of jobs. A career expert recommends that you put the Education section above work history if you don't have relevant full-time jobs yet.
Add a short career objective
An informative Objective section is your chance to introduce yourself to employers and briefly outline your qualifications. Write 2-3 sentences and focus on what you can do for the employer and what your long-term career goals are. You can include your key achievements and awards to position yourself as an ambitious entry-level candidate.
Keep it to one page
Experts say that the desirable length of the entry-level resume is one full page. This length is enough to demonstrate your academic success, skills, and potential. If your resume is more than one page, consider removing irrelevant details.
Detail relevant experience
If you've gained relevant experience through internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs, elaborate on it in the Experience section. Add job titles and responsibilities, and mention if you achieved goals set or were praised by your supervisor.
Make sure it's ATS-friendly
In addition to listing your GPA details, educational achievements, and professional development, adapt your resume content for each job application. Use keywords from the job posting in all sections of your resume naturally so that it looks relevant to the ATS program. It will increase your chances of getting your resume seen by a human hiring manager.
Apply professional formatting
After you include your GPA and add all resume content, format it professionally to ensure a strong first impression:
- Choose a clean, professional font such as Calibri, Tahoma, or Arial
- Use the same font type and size throughout your resume - consistency makes your resume easy to read
- Use bullet points, not paragraphs, to structure your job duties and achievements
- Set a bigger font for your name and section headings
- Add some color to highlight key information and make the document visually appealing.
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Should I Put My GPA on My Resume: Key Takeaways
Always include your GPA if it's high (3.5 or above) and you are applying for internships or entry-level positions. As a recent graduate with under 2 years of experience, you can include a major GPA to convey your ability to learn quickly and perform well in the workplace. Be sure to always include your GPA if hiring managers specifically ask for it.
For candidates with 2+ years of professional experience including an overall GPA is not necessary. Including GPA on your resume is also pointless when it's lower than 3.0.
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Frequently Asked Questions About GPA on a Resume
Should I round up my GPA on a resume?
While it's common to round a GPA from 3.46 to 3.5, inflating it significantly can be seen as dishonest. Only round up your GPA if it remains accurate and reflects what is shown on your official transcript.
Is a 3.2 GPA good enough to include on a resume?
A 3.2 GPA is considered average. Whether you include it depends on your target role, industry, and how recent your graduation is. If your GPA is your main academic achievement, include it with context—such as relevant coursework or honors.
When is it okay to leave GPA off your resume?
If your GPA is below 3.0, or if you have several years of professional experience, it's generally safe to leave it off. Employers often focus more on relevant work history in those cases.
Do employers verify GPA on resumes?
Some employers—especially in finance, consulting, and federal jobs—may verify your GPA. It's important to list it accurately to avoid being disqualified during background checks.
Can I list only my major GPA on a resume?
Yes, especially if your major GPA is higher than your cumulative GPA. Make sure to clearly label it as “Major GPA” and include coursework that supports your performance in that field.
What does GPA mean on a resume?
GPA stands for grade point average, which reflects your academic performance. On a resume, it shows your consistency and discipline—especially for students and recent graduates applying for internships or entry-level positions.